Well, Mamas, what do you think of this?
I am a huge fan of children’s literature. Last year, while shopping at my favorite bookstore, I was so disappointed to see that one of our family’s favorite authors endorses Nestlé. Every year, Nestle gives out children’s book awards. The book gets a big gold, silver or bronze sticker on the front and Nestlé gets to market itself as a company that cares about children. This sort of endorsement by association allows companies like Nestlé to manage their reputation, at, I believe, the expense of the reputation of others: including - in the case of Nestlé, pediatricians, hospitals, and it would seem, children’s books.
So this year, I was impressed that the Gold Award-winning author has turned down the prize money, stating concern with some of the company’s practices, including their interpretation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Because although Nestlé says it strictly abides by the code this is clearly not the case.
You can read about it here:
http://www.thebookstandard.com/books..._id=1003685452
Or here
http://www.babymilkaction.org/press/press12dec07.html
I was feeling really excited about this….thinking that I’d go out an order a few copies of this book myself. Thinking, wow, I hope people really get behind this author for standing up for breastfeeding….something many health professionals and lots of governments around the world certainly are not doing. But I actually feel let down when I look at the fine print. I’m not sure that by not taking the money it does anything at all….because the publisher is still pushing ahead with endorsement of this book. A book that I now feel even less inclined to buy.
I feel a letter to the publisher coming on.
I am a huge fan of children’s literature. Last year, while shopping at my favorite bookstore, I was so disappointed to see that one of our family’s favorite authors endorses Nestlé. Every year, Nestle gives out children’s book awards. The book gets a big gold, silver or bronze sticker on the front and Nestlé gets to market itself as a company that cares about children. This sort of endorsement by association allows companies like Nestlé to manage their reputation, at, I believe, the expense of the reputation of others: including - in the case of Nestlé, pediatricians, hospitals, and it would seem, children’s books.
So this year, I was impressed that the Gold Award-winning author has turned down the prize money, stating concern with some of the company’s practices, including their interpretation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Because although Nestlé says it strictly abides by the code this is clearly not the case.
You can read about it here:
http://www.thebookstandard.com/books..._id=1003685452
Or here
http://www.babymilkaction.org/press/press12dec07.html
I was feeling really excited about this….thinking that I’d go out an order a few copies of this book myself. Thinking, wow, I hope people really get behind this author for standing up for breastfeeding….something many health professionals and lots of governments around the world certainly are not doing. But I actually feel let down when I look at the fine print. I’m not sure that by not taking the money it does anything at all….because the publisher is still pushing ahead with endorsement of this book. A book that I now feel even less inclined to buy.
I feel a letter to the publisher coming on.
that he is refusing any part of the award. I just wish everyone would kick Nestle's 
: to the curb and get them to straighten up.
:
