In a city famed for its literary lions, Wheelock’s Willy the Wildcat may have as good a claim as any to that description as the “author” of a book for Boston-area preschoolers.

Student-athletes at Wheelock have aided Willy in distributing the book promoting physical activity and healthy eating to nearby locations of Jumpstart, a Boston-based national program that promotes involvement by college students in early-childhood education.

The book, created by students and staff members at Wheelock, tells the story of Willy and his family in drawings and words.

Wheelock student-athletes and representatives of the athletics department have been reading the book and delivering fitness packs to preschoolers participating in Jumpstart. Each fitness kit includes a jump rope, a pedometer and sidewalk chalk. The kits encourage the youngsters to join Willy in activities depicted in the book, such as walking to the park and jumping rope.

Athletics Director Diana Cutaia helped oversee the project, along with Hilary Sullivan, who serves as Wheelock’s site manager for Jumpstart.