Children Understand Food Allergies

12 Books To Help Children Understand Food Allergies

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It can be difficult to explain the physical and social struggles of having a food allergy to your child. Luckily, there are some incredible resources out there that help kids understand and feel comfortable with their food allergies, gain confidence in talking about them, and even educating their friends on how they can be supportive.

These 12 books, written about food allergies, for children, will help to alleviate young people’s fears about living with this medical condition while also addressing some of their most curious questions. These books help to instil confidence in food-allergic children as well as to help them talk to their friends who don’t live with this condition. We also value this selection of books as great resources to share with teachers, childcare providers and other caregivers to help educate all children about food allergies. As we like to say at Belay, it takes a village.

An additional bonus, now that you’ve read these books and have helped your child to improve their understanding of their food allergies? With your child’s food allergy safety plan outlined on the Belay app, you can have more confidence in sending your child out to learn, snack and have fun!

LEARNING ABOUT A FOOD ALLERGY

Daniel Has An Allergy
By: Angela C. Santomero

After eating a peach, Daniel Tiger discovers he is allergic to them. Daniel and his dad then see a doctor and learn how to take care of his food allergy wherever he goes, including school. Introduce your child’s food allergy with a familiar and loveable character so they can learn more about their food allergy and conquer their fears so they never hold them back.

Zoey Has An Allergy
By: Anisha Angela

Zoey’s journey of discovering she has a food allergy and learning what that means is an inspiring story for children with or without food allergies. Zoey quickly learns that her food allergy makes her unique and is nothing to be embarrassed of, showing the importance of embracing your food allergy, what makes you different and the importance of learning about others.

REASSURING CHARACTERS

The BugaBees: Friends with Food Allergies
By: Amy Recob

Follow eight buggy friends, all with individual food allergies, as they go through their daily lives. From school, to the park, to the beach to being at home; these friends explore how to be safe, remain aware of their food allergies, and still have a lot of fun. Showing the many different types of food allergies, while normalizing them, will comfort your food-allergic child as they learn and grow.

Eppie the Elephant (Who Was Allergic To Peanuts)
By: Livingstone Crouse

Eppie is nervous about her first day of school because of her food allergies and what the other kids might think about her. Eppie’s secret is revealed at lunchtime, but her new friends are understanding and supportive of keeping Eppie safe. Talking about a food allergy can seem scary, but Eppie shows that opening up to friends about being healthy and safe can bring you closer together.

No Thank You, I’m Allergic
By: Kristen Seymour

This story navigates day-to-day life with Jack – a normal kid with a food allergy. Bringing awareness and compassion to food allergies and being safe, this book is a great comfort for food-allergic children. Your food allergic child will love and relate to Jack, and realize their food allergy is manageable as they do all of the things they love.

GAINING CONFIDENCE

Nutley, The Nut-Free Squirrel
By: Stephanie Sorkin

Meet Nutley, a squirrel with a nut allergy! He shows how to keep living life, enjoying the things he loves and staying healthy despite his food allergy. Plus, Nutley learns that he’s not alone in having a food allergy. Your food allergic child will realize that anyone can have an allergy, and if a friendly squirrel can still enjoy food and his friends, then they definitely can too.

Am I A Unicorn?
By: Stephanie Sorkin

Stephanie’s newest book explores why it’s okay, even great, to be different! After breaking her horn, a unicorn learns that it isn’t a bad thing to not look like the other unicorns, but to find the good things about being different. Help your food allergic children understand that having a food allergy doesn’t mean something is wrong, but instead is something to embrace and love about themselves.

Why Can’t I Have A Cupcake?
By: Betsy Childs

Rory was headed to a birthday party, but couldn’t indulge in a cupcake because of his food allergy. Sad to arrive and having to decline the treat, Rory soon discovers he’s not alone in his restrictions. Having a food allergy can feel lonely and awkward, but Rory’s story shows that others have food allergies too and the only way to know is by talking about it.

Food Allergies And Me: A Children’s Book
By: Juniper Skinner

Experience a day in the life of Jack – a food allergic child going to school, heading to an allergist appointment and then off to the playground with his friends. Jack’s confidence in his food allergy shows why learning about, and understanding, one’s food allergy is so important. Sharing simple lessons, this book is a great resource for that food-allergic kid who is looking identify with, and relate to, a strong character.

LESSONS FOR EVERYONE

The Bugybops: Friends For All Time
By: Amy Recob

A sequel to Friends With Food Allergies, this installment dives into the friends of food allergic bugs and how they can help by addressing cross-contamination, the use of an Epipen, and knowing the physical signs of an allergic reaction. This is a great resource to share with classmates and friends so everyone can understand the importance of safety and of being thoughtful of others who live with food allergies.

A Lesson For Every Child: Learning About Food Allergies
By: Sally Huss

Mrs. Emerson loved to learn and teach, so she took her new student’s food allergy as an opportunity to teach her class. Asking the question, “Would you like to explain that to us, Jack?” This story educates and inspires children to learn more, ask questions and to talk proudly about their food allergies with peers and caregivers.

Dixie Wants An Allergy
By: Tori Corn

Dixie starts to learn about her classmates’ food allergies and desperately wishes she had something special like a food allergy too! Dixie soon learns having a food allergy, while unique and special, should be taken seriously. This book offers an engaging look at children exploring food allergies and reinforces that it’s not something to be ashamed of.

 

Krysten McCumber

Content Manager for Belay. A Journalist and Social and Digital Content Specialist; Love for content creation and passion for positivity. Always on the hunt for the best celiac-friendly snacks.
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