The list doesn't look groundbreaking, I agree. However, reading the book--it's written memoir fashion--and experiencing along with the author (from Canada) her gradual discovery of the way that the French handle meal time both for children and adults is fascinating and (for me) is totally groundbreaking.
I don't get the feeling there's coercion; there is just much less catering to the kids, much more structured meal time rituals, and a general positive attitude toward food variety--and a confidence (conveyed to the kids) that they will like a variety of foods--if not today someday.
I'm definitely adopting some of the ideas from the book.
it seemed like French kids are less indulged in all ways
Yes, the book suggests this as well. It also sounds like their "schedule" mentality with food contributes to very low breastfeeding rates.
Overall, however, the attitude of the French culture toward food seems SO much healthier and so much more ideal than it is in the culture that surrounds me.