Children need to see themselves reflected in the literature they read. Unfortunately the presentation of food allergies in much of children's literature is negative. These picture books feature positive characters that have food allergies.
1. Everyday Cool with Food Allergies
Parent Perks, Inc.
A colorful, fun, nonfiction guide to living with and managing food allergies. The guide is designed to be read with a caregiver, and contains simple yet accurate information geared to children with sidebars that contain more detailed information for adults.
2. Clever Jack Takes the Cake
Random House
Clever Jack Takes the Cake is beautifully illustrated and reads like an old fairy tale, despite being a new story dealing with contemporary issues. Young readers with food allergies will feel a special affinity to Jack's story, which involves a princess with a food allergy. Food allergies are one plot element, not the central message of the book, which deals with issues of bravery, perseverance, materialism and friendship as well.
3. The Peanut-Free Cafe
Pricegrabber.com
4. Peanut-Free Tea for Three
Parent Perks, Inc.
Paige can't eat the jelly at her friend Eliot's cowboy tea party, because it might contain traces of peanuts left over from the last time Eliot made a peanut butter sandwich. The situation is no biggie, however, because Paige has packed her own jelly and the friends enjoy their time together. The No Biggie Bunch series of books focuses on the social aspects of managing food allergies while gracefully navigating friendships.
5. The Princess and the Peanut Allergy
Albert Whitman & Company
The Princess and the Peanut Allergy addresses some of the social issues that children with food allergies face. It follows the story of best friends Regina and Paula, and what happens when Regina plans a chocolate-peanut birthday cake for her party.
6. The Bugabees: Friends With Food Allergies
Beaver's Pond Press
7. Allie the Allergic Elephant: A Children's Story of Peanut Allergies
Allergic Child Publishing Group
8. Chad the Allergic Chipmunk: A Children's Story of Nut Allergies
Allergic Child Publishing Group
9. Cody the Allergic Cow: A Children's Story of Milk Allergies
Allergic Child Publishing Group
Cody is cow who can't eat dairy products. Follow Cody has he introduces the basics of dairy allergy to kids - what foods contain dairy, how to recognize an allergic reaction, and how to stay safe.
10. Ethan Can't Eat Eggs
Nadine O'Reilly's Ethan Can't Eat Eggs follows a young boy from first reaction through diagnosis to education about basic allergy safety, all the while stressing that Ethan is a basically healthy and happy child who simply can't eat certain foods. Flowing, fanciful illustrations and chipper tone should mean that toddlers and preschoolers will find this book comforting and enjoyable.
