Introduction

Book Title:	Murphy Meets the Treadmill
Author:	Harriet Ziefert
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Co. - ISBN#: 0-618-11357-6
Grade:	Pre-school- early childhood Grades K-1 Grades 2-3
Genre:	Contemporary Realistic Fiction Animal Fantasy Fantasy
Reading Levels:	Word Count: 516 Reading Level 2.5 Interest Level K-3rd AR: Reading Level 2.5, Points 0.5, Recommended grade level LG=Lower Grades Reading counts! Reading level 2.5, Points - not in their program Lexile 480

Summary

Murphy is a simple dog with simple pleasures. His favorite place is the front porch where he can watch people go by. His favorite activity is eating, especially as people going by feed him treats. One day his owner, Cheryl, realizes Murphy is becoming overweight and needs to change his lifestyle!

Murphy and his owner begin a physical fitness plan which includes walking and jogging. Other aspects of the plan for better health are portion control at meal time and eliminating snacks. Then one day a treadmill arrives in the delivery truck. Cheryl teaches Murphy how to warm up on the treadmill, how to get a good work out on the treadmill by speeding it up, and the importance of being consistent in following his fitness plan.

Murphy gets results. The neighbors praise his new healthy appearance with comments like “a perfect example of his breed” and “what a physique”. Then one day Murphy meets Nikka, the neighbor’s hound, who thinks Murphy is handsome and physically fit. In Murphy’s words, "exercise is worth it!”