Children's Allergy Books

Am I terrible for secretly rejoicing in the fact that my daughter was up most of the night coughing, consequently too tired to make it to preschool today, Valentine's Day?  While I felt sad that she would miss out on her first Valentine party, I was quietly reveling in the fact that she would be home, safe with me, all day.  I wouldn't spend my morning worrying about where and how the class treats were processed or what kind of candy would find its way into her heart-shaped mailbox.

I don't think she realizes what she's missing out on, so that is a small relief.  Sure, she knew there was to be a party, but having had no experience with Valentine parties, she really didn't know what the morning would look like.  There's always next year for a first.  In the meantime, I think I'll get over my guilt and just enjoy our time together.  

Our Valentine "treats" consisted of a new dress for each girl, as well as a new book for each.  Books are always great gifts for my girls, we read a lot.  Speaking of books, did you know there are many children's books about allergies on the market?  We have several, and I wanted to share my favorites.  

The Princess and the Peanut Allergy is one of Grace's favorites.  She is a fan of anything princess, and this has a cute storyline, too.  Regina and her mom are busy preparing for her birthday party. It's going to be a princess party with the perfect cake that looks like a castle and has ice cream cone towers. Regina is inviting all the girls in her class, including her best friend, Paula. Paula is excited, too, until she finds out about the cake. It will have nutty fudge brownies and peanut butter candies. Paula can't eat that cake--she can't go anywhere near that cake--because she has a peanut allergy. Regina really wants her cake, and she and Paula fight about it.  That afternoon they both go home mad.  But that night, after Regina reads her favorite story, "The Princess and the Pea," she thinks more about her friend and the cake.  The next morning she has a great plan that will please everyone

I think perhaps Jude the Dude was created on a small budget as the writing and graphics are a bit....er...well....bad.  But, it's a cute story nonetheless.  Upset with his peanut allergy, Jude the Dude soon realizes he can still have fun and live out all of his dreams with his allergy. He learns to be safe by reading labels, correctly using his Epi-Pen, and taking his own food to parties. Eventually, Jude the Dude becomes a famous football player and teaches others about peanut allergies. Filled with colorful illustrations, this chidlren's peanut allergy book teaches children (and parents) tips for living safely with this life-threatening allergy and emphasizes the fact that a food allergy is something to live with. But, it does not define who you are. Any child with any allergy/illness can conquer the world.

The Peanut Pickle will help children learn how to tell others about a food allergy and explain that they need a safe environment. It will teach them how to deal with difficult and awkward situations that inevitably arise when a child has a life-threatening food allergy. It also includes a guide for parents to help their children with food allergies.

We don't actually own The Bugabees yet, but it's in my Amazon cart.  If I could buy every book I wanted, I'd have one heck of a library! This is a whimsical tale of eight friends with food allergies. Food allergies are never fun, but best friends always are! This light-hearted story explores the daily routines of eight best buggy friends such as Beetle, Cricket and Butterfly, as they face their respective food allergies with positivity and poise.

The Princess and the Peanut is of course another favorite in our house.  Every queen knows that in order to find out if a princess is REAL, one must send the "alleged" princess to bed on a magnificent pile of mattresses, slip in a pea, and see how she sleeps.  But when the royal kitchen is fresh out peas, the queen tries a peanut instead.  The princess turns out to be as real as her food allergies. 

The Peanut-Free Cafe is a really sweet story and probably my personal favorite from our allergy collection.  All the students at Nutley School love peanut butter, especially Simon. For Simon, peanut butter is essential. But then new student, Grant comes to school. Grant is allergic to peanut butter and can't sit near anyone eating it. Should the principal forbid peanut butter in the cafeteria? What will the students of Nutley School do if they can't have peanut butter for lunch? Simon comes up with a clever idea. The school can have a peanut-free café! It will be a fun place to eat and watch movies, where the only admission is a peanut-free lunch. The other students gladly give up their peanut-butter lunches to be in the new café with Grant, but can Simon give up the food he loves the most?

I have found all of these on amazon, and even some at the local library.  I think these are a great resource for parents and kids alike.

And by the way, we aren't completely sweet-deprived.  We still have some leftover sugar cookies I made the other day.  And although I lent my favorite baking book to a friend, another friend was able to drop off a copy of a favorite cupcake recipe which I have currently baking in the oven.  Recipe will be posted soon :)

Happy Valentine's Day!