That warning inspires a barrage of questions from Jack’s classmates, a Q&A approach that Huss and Hamilton-Guarino wisely leverage to drive home critical information to younger readers in this informative debut, which blends important health facts with everyday storytelling and scenes. Beaming from his new friends’ interest, Jack schools them on all the crucial points of food allergies, from emergency treatment to the types of snacks he has to avoid, and the authors give special consideration to the sacrifices Jack has to make that often leave him feeling less than and different from others: “Many kids don’t understand and make fun of me” he explains, conveying his allergies as “not fun and [not] a joke, but it is something I have to do.”
The kids rally around Jack, of course, with a little help from the astute Mrs. Emerson, who uses Jack’s “tremendous self-discipline” as a classic learning example, vowing that “anyone who has that can do anything!” The authors’ bright, bubbly graphics—many of which depict Jack’s schoolmates in various stages of awe at his considerable knowledge—lend a somewhat scary subject a sunny edge that adult readers will appreciate. The book closes with additional learning resources and an entertaining rhyme to help kids embrace food allergies.
Takeaway: Young boy shares the reality of living with food allergies.
Comparable Titles: Katie Kinsella’s I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies, Stephanie Sorkin’s Nutley the Nut-Free Squirrel.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+
My son has multiple food allergies. There has been an issue with one of his classmates not understanding what food allergies are. His teacher suggested a book to share with the class. I ordered this and it’s perfect. It’s a short simple story explaining what food allergies are and what happens, what the main character Jack does to manage his allergies. In the end Jack feels like it’s ok to be different a feels brave for facing it. My son enjoyed it and is happy to share it with his classmates so they can learn more about his food allergies.
As a parent of two children with serious Life Threatening food allergies, I can attest and assure you that this is a MUST read for your children. It will help them understand, in a beautiful and safe way, how unique they truly are and that they are not alone. Both of my children have enjoyed this book and are awaiting to read more books from this Author.
