About the book
Why Shawn wrote it
Every summer, LJ and his family make the trip from Louisiana to East Oakland to visit Pop Pop. This year the visit takes a turn when Pop Pop falls ill, and the family has to face what type 2 diabetes really means for someone they love.
LJ is curious, and he asks a lot of questions. The more he learns about food, exercise and how the body works, the more he wants to help. Before long he is the one teaching the grown-ups, and the whole family starts making small changes together: what goes on the plate, how they spend their afternoons, how they look out for each other.
Shawn wrote LJ's Influence for kids and the adults who read with them. Type 2 diabetes runs through a lot of families, and it is often the youngest person at the table who is most willing to try something new. The book is a story first, but it is also a gentle, practical introduction to healthy eating and staying active, told through a family that feels like your own.
Illustrated by Katie African. 60 pages, for readers around ages 6 to 10 and anyone who reads to them.
Trailer
See it in motion
A quick look at the book, from Shawn’s promo video.
Get a copy
Where to buy
Each link goes straight to the retailer.
The author
Shawn Jenkins
MS, ATC, CSCS
Shawn trains athletes and everyday people through Stockton Sports Performance, speaks at performance clinics, and works with families on the habits that keep them healthy.