The Peanut Butter Jam

by Elizabeth Sussman Nassau, Margot J. Ott (Illustrator), Margot Janet Ott (Illustrator)

Sam has a problem when his class is supposed to make bird feeders using peanut butter.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2001

Reviews

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one. Two problems: One, no modern teacher would/should engage in such an exclusionary activity as peanut butter bird feeders when they have a peanut allergic student. Two, the shot depicted is the old-school kind they had in my father's time, not the newer auto-injectors kids carry now. Three strong points: It shows an example of bullying based on allergies, which is a very real thing, how easy exposure can be (touching the allergen, then wiping away an eyelash), and a realistic looking allergic reaction following normal school procedure (trip to nurses office, injection, ride in ambulance). So given the lack of good, human-based kids books on allergies, if your library has this one, give it a chance. But maybe preview it yourself before sharing with your child.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Peanut Butter Jam tells the story of a boy named Sam who is feeling upset about his peanut allergy. On a dare, Sam decides to do the activity involving peanut butter that his classmates are doing. When his teacher sees what he has done they quickly run to the sink, but it is not enough. Sam accidently rubs a little bit of the peanut butter near his eye. Immediately his face swells and his throat starts to close up, he is having trouble talking and breathing. He is rushed to the nurse where he receives a shot and then his teacher rides with him in the ambulance to the doctor. When he gets there, he tells his mother and the doctor about how he was teased at school for being "afraid of peanuts". The doctor reminds him to be honest with himself in these types of situations and ask himself it it is worth risking his life on a dare. Before leaving the hospital, the doctor gives Sam and his mother information about a kid's group where Sam could meet other children with allergies. When he returns to school the boy who originally teased and dared Sam apologizes and they make plans to hang out over the weekend. Sam then finds out that his friend is allergic to cats and they are not so different after all. Includes an informative foreword by a professor of pediatrics and biomedical sciences. Appropriate for school age children grades 3 thru 5.

[Alexandria Hiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Peanut Butter Jam tells the story of a boy named Sam who is feeling upset about his peanut allergy. On a dare, Sam decides to do the activity involving peanut butter that his classmates are doing. When his teacher sees what he has done they quickly run to the sink, but it is not enough. Sam accidently rubs a little bit of the peanut butter near his eye. Immediately his face swells and his throat starts to close up, he is having trouble talking and breathing. He is rushed to the nurse where he receives a shot and then his teacher rides with him in the ambulance to the doctor. When he gets there, he tells his mother and the doctor about how he was teased at school for being "afraid of peanuts". The doctor reminds him to be honest with himself in these types of situations and ask himself it it is worth risking his life on a dare. Before leaving the hospital, the doctor gives Sam and his mother information about a kid's group where Sam could meet other children with allergies. When he returns to school the boy who originally teased and dared Sam apologizes and they make plans to hang out over the weekend. Sam then finds out that his friend is allergic to cats and they are not so different after all. Includes an informative foreword by a professor of pediatrics and biomedical sciences. Appropriate for school age children grades 3 thru 5.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so great to find a book that deals with peanut allergies in school. As a lunch room supervisor, I see children sitting alone at the "peanut free" table. I'm thrilled that there is a book to read that will make everyone more comfortable about nut allergies.