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Learning about Food Allergies

WOW! How have I taught school for 12 years without this book? Probably because it was just published in 2020! This is hands down a MUST HAVE BOOK in every classroom! If not every classroom, all school libraries should have this book so teachers can check it out to read to their class when they have a child with allergies in their class.

This is honestly an important book for any adults with children to read. Why? Because too often parents who don’t have kids with allergies are not nice. Yep, that is true. Some have a “who cares” attitude which is not ok. We should all care about the safety of a child even if not our own.

I can’t express the frustration I feel when I see or hear a parent/person make a comment that why can’t their child send what they want to the school for their birthday. Well, 1. it is a danger to that child with allergies, but 2. Are you seriously suggesting singling out another child and not giving them a treat?!! Could they eat something else, sure, if I have something else in the classroom.

My nephew has allergies! Lots of foods he cannot eat. In his first experience at school (like first week), his kindergarten teacher ignored the fact that he had allergies and gave him a cupcake. Well, yes at 5 years old he knew he couldn’t eat eggs, but at 5 years old he didn’t know the cupcake had eggs cooked inside! He was in insta-care being watched all night because he had a very big allergic reaction that left him red, puffy, throwing up non-stop and in pain. Mom was scared and I was furious. As a kindergarten teacher, I know it is up to me to keep my students safe. If I wasn’t in a different state, I probably would have hunted down the teacher and gave her a good earful.

Upon finding this book, I have decided to purchase the book on Amazon for my nephew! This way, he can take it to school and ask his teacher to read it with the class at the start of the school year. Hopefully, this will help other kids be mindful and the teacher won’t have to stress trying to explain what an allergy is. I am grateful for this book and sure hope other parents and teachers will love it as much as me!

Back to the book! I really do love this book. The co-authors, Sally Huss and Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, did a fantastic job sharing in a kid-friendly way about allergies. Not only does this book teach about what allergies are, but it encourages other kids to be mindful and kind to those with allergies. Often times, kids aren’t nice because they don’t understand what it really means.

My nephew has been the victim of this. I sure hope the girls at his school were “not nice” because they didn’t understand how deadly his allergy could be. I believe they thought they were funny when they rubbed peanut butter on his face. Literally! They brought a container of peanut butter from home and chased after him. 😳 They laughed. 😡He was left with a red rash for a couple days. Thankfully, he didn’t digest any, but to have the rash and burn was traumatizing for him. 😰 This is just one time a kid was not nice to him about his allergy. I really believe that if kids understand, they will be good and kind and helpful. A a Lesson For Every Child can really help us raise our kids to be understanding, which is why this book is not just for families with allergies.

At the start of the story, the teacher was delighted that she had a student with allergies. Honestly, as a teacher it is a little more stressful than delightful. However, when I read that line, it made me think (as a teacher), that this is a great opportunity to teach kids about an allergy and teach them how to be kind to those with allergies. By the teacher teaching the students this year, they will know this information for years to come even if their teacher doesn’t teach them about allergies. I try not to be a negative person and I definitely don’t get upset at a child for having a disability, but my anxiety and worry start in. That worry and anxiety is only because I don’t want to FAIL that child and make sure they are safe. The first three pages of this book helped me see the impact I can make as a teacher – which is exactly what I want. I want to make an impact on kids! ❤

Sally Huss did a fantastic job expressing how Jack (the boy with allergies) felt about being the center of attention (especially since food allergies can be presented in a negative way). She helps show other kids with allergies that they can be like Jack and not be afraid to talk about their allergy. Jack gets to teach something the others don’t know which I absolutely LOVE! I am a big advocate for kids teaching each other, but never thought about having a child with allergies teach the class about their allergy! What a fantastic idea! 😍

In the story, the class asks Jack questions about his allergy, what would happen to him, what is he able to eat and other questions. Seriously, a great way to get students involved in their learning! Plus everyone reading the book is seeing it is good to ask for clarification and to be curious! Plus through this whole part, we are learning about everything involved with allergies!

This book is ESSENTIAL in schools and in homes! I really feel teachers should share this in their classes when they have a student with allergies. I also feel kids with allergies should have this to help them start to understand, but also so they can share with their classes. My family does not have allergies, but they know people that do and I feel like this book has helped them understand and be kinder to those with allergies.

If you are a teacher, I have a free download of a letter to use for your classrooms to inform parents about allergies. It also has a list of treats/snacks that can be sent into the classroom to make things easier for parents in deciding what to bring in. Download it for free.

The book can be downloaded via Amazon kindle. A Lesson for Every Child is Amazing!! A paperback version would be great for the classroom or for a child with allergies to bring it into class to be read. Purchase a soft cover copy.

Here is article that tells about the book, the authors and allergies. I encourage you to check it out!