The Bottom Line
Peanut-Free Tea for Three is an engaging story that presents a realistic social situation for children with food allergies. The characters model good food allergy management and social grace.
Pros
- Positive role models of children managing their food allergies.
- Bright, appealing illustrations.
- Engaging characters.
Cons
- Dialogue is sometimes stiled.
- Social situation (a tea party) will appeal most to very young readers.
Description
- One of a series of books about the No Biggie Bunch.
- Children's picture book about social aspects of managing food allergies.
- Colorful, contemporary illustrations with engaging characters.
Guide Review - The No Biggie Bunch: Peanut-Free Tea for Three
Food is social, and one of the biggest challenges of food allergies is navigating social situations while on a limited diet. The No Biggie Bunch books focus on positive examples of managing food allergies, instead of what the authors call “limitations and medications.”
Heather Mehra and Kerry McManama write from a child’s perspective about social situations that matter to kids with food allergies. Young children aren't worried about the expiration date on their auto-injectors, they are worried that their classmates won't like them if they don't share their lunch, or what to do when the nice lady at the bank gives them a lollipop.
Peanut-Free Tea for Three follows the food adventures of three friends who meet for a dress-up tea party. Eliot, the host, has thoughtfully provided gluten-free rice cakes for his friend Greta. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize that his jar of jelly may be a problem for Paige, who is allergic to peanuts.
The three friends work together to turn the situation into a “no biggie” and support each other in managing their allergies.
The dialogue is stilted at times, in particular when identifying an individual’s allergy. The story as a whole is simple but portrays a convincing social situation for a young child.
The bright, contemporary illustrations by Michael Kline make the characters and their friendship come alive. They highlight the unique qualities of each character. Greta is not defined by celiac disease. She is a child who loves space and pretends she is an astronaut who also happens to be intolerant of gluten.
The simple language, bright illustrations, and tea party story line make this book suitable for children age 3-6.
