coming to You.



D is for Dates,

the kind that You eat,

Deliciously sweet

and far cheaper than Meat.



E is the Excellent

Edible Egg,

One daily at least,

dear Children, we beg.



F is for Fruits, whether

fresh, dried or stewed;

Dried, at the Grocer's,

you'll buy them, if shrewd.



G is for Gaining,

as every Child could,

A half pound a Month

is the least that he should.



H is for Height,

be as tall as you can,

Weight up to Height

makes a healthy strong Man.



I is for Iron

in Spinach and Eggs,

Builds Red Blood and Sinews

for strong Arms and Legs.



J is for Jam

and also for Joy,

Which spread on his Bread

it brings to a Boy.



K is for Kitchen

so spick and so span,

We all like our Food

from a shining clean Pan.



L is for Luncheon

served hot in the School;

We wish all the Teachers

could follow this Rule.



M is for Milk which

makes Muscle and Bone;

One pint a day

would be best till you're grown.



N is for News

of habits you need,

To grow up so healthy

you're bound to succeed.



O is for Oatmeal,

the finest of Food;

With Milk for your Breakfast

there's nothing so good.



P is for Prunes,

Potatoes and Peas,

And Patriots who will

be glad to eat these.



Q is for Quiet,

we frequently need;

After Meals don't run

at the top of your speed.



R is for Rest

and Round Rosy Faces;

Rest is a thing

which nothing replaces.



S is important

and therefore I hope

You'll pardon my specially

mentioning Soap.



T is a Topic

which Trouble begins;

Both Tea and Coffee

for Children are Sins.



U Understanding

the best way to live,

United for Service

our Country to give.



V is for Vegetables;

if you're too slim,

These Victuals are full

of Vigor and Vim.



W is for Water,

the best thing to drink

Between Meals

as often as ever we think.



X is for Xtras

of Soup or of Milk

For a thin little Girl

till she's finer than Silk.



Y is for You,

and I tell you the Truth,

Learn to be Healthy

and Strong in your Youth.



Now march for it, Children,

with Drum and with Fife.

Z is the Zest

which Health gives to Life.



[P] Used by permission of the author and of the publishers, The Child

Health Organization.