Myrtle the Turtle
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

If you haven't discovered Marybeth Dillon-Butler's book, Myrtle the Hurdler and her Pink and Purple Polka-Dotted Girdle, it's time to pick up a copy.

If you haven't met Dillon at a race, running club function or book signing, you missed meeting one of the most gracious persons you ever will meet.   She looks you in the eyes and connects with you every time you're in her presence.

In her book you'll meet Myrtle, a treat-craving, leisure-loving turtle. Her poor eating habits prompt her to wear a girdle to firm up her middle. But Myrtle decides to exchange her bad habits for good ones and it pays off when she competes in a track meet at Tortoise Elementary.

Dillon describes her book in a nutshell, " I see so many overweight kids - and parents - and my heart goes out to them.   I want to share with them the secret so many runners happily discover: if you stay active and eat smart, weight is never an issue.   Not only that, but a healthy lifestyle does so much more than get us in shape; it's brain food. It's a path to emotional well-being. Even the youngest athlete can experience a sense of empowerment, and that's a wonderful thing for a child's psyche."

"Literacy is a huge concern, too.   In our own city of Detroit, the illiteracy rate is staggering; and it's really sad. We need to give the gift of reading to children if they are to experience success in life."

Who's buying the book? Parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, principals, gym teachers, health-care professionals, scout leaders and coaches, among them Lou Holtz, are buying the book for children of all ages

Dillon has been visiting schools, libraries and scout troops. She reads the story and lets little ones know pursuing a sport is lots of fun. They learn that eating smart goes with exercising like peanut butter goes with jelly. She talks about why lots of sugary, salty snacks aren't good for us, and about all the terrific things fruits and vegetables do for our bodies.

She explains that kids who eat smart and stay active have more energy, and feel terrific. She lets them know that kids who keep fit actually crave the healthy stuff instead of junk food.

Dillon also talks about how empowering a healthy lifestyle can be. "As young as Myrtle is, she finds out she can experience success, simply by working hard at a sport she enjoys. And best of all, her power comes not from a grown-up telling her what to do; but from within herself," emphasized Dillon.

Kids are treated to Dillon's ukulele playing and singing a couple original tunes about healthy eating. "We also do a little stretching and jogging to prepare for a pretend road race."

Dillon is no turtle herself when it comes to running. She has run 35 marathons, with a PR of 2:55. Probably her most memorable came at the 1996 Irish Olympic Marathon Trials, where she won a silver medal.   Dillon is well known among numerous running clubs in the Detroit area and has also trained under coach Bill Stewart.

Dillon has been a freelance writer since 1997. Prior to that, she was award winning reporter and editor at the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers since 1980. Dillon worked with illustrator Dave Messing whose drawings are vivid and so whimsical they make you laugh.  

If you are interested in buying books or setting up author visits, you can contact Marybeth directly at [email protected] .

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226