A Lesson for Every Child: Learning About Food Allergies

by Sally Huss, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

Learning was everything to Mrs. Emerson. So when a new student was brought into her classroom, Mrs. Emerson was delighted because she discovered that this young man knew something that everyone needed to know. She told her class that Jack was just like everyone else, except for one thing – he had food allergies. “Would you like to explain that to us, Jack?” Jack proceeds to educate us all. This book is endorsed by Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT), MedicAlert® Foundation, Elijah Alavi Foundation, The Love for Giovanni Foundation, No Nut Traveler, and Food Allergy Zone.

Genres: Childrens

41 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2020

About the author

For years I have wanted to do what I am doing now -- writing and illustrating my children's books. Electronic drawing pads and e-books have made it possible for me to create and publish my own books -- and do so in quantity. In the past, Harcourt Brace, Ten Speed Press, Thomas Nelson had only published a few.

The books were always squeezed in between art I needed to do to fill 26 Sally Huss Galleries (my degree was from USC in Fine Art); and licensing demands for clothing, greeting cards (American Greetings), purses, bibs, dinnerware, wallpaper; and the daily King Features Syndicated inspirational panel I do for newspapers called Happy Musings.

Through the years my art and writings have found their way into homes from Hollywood to The White House and perhaps even your house or your mother's.

Along with art, I have had a long history with tennis. In fact I was raised to be a champion (U.S. Junior and Wimbledon Champion, then a semi-finalist in the women's division at Wimbledonin singles and doubles). Later I became one of the top senior players in the country. This experience lead to my writing and illustrating a couple of books on the game -- EIGHT GOLDEN RULES FOR HOW TO PLAY YOUR BEST TENNIS (endorsed by Billie Jean King, Mary Carrillo, Dick Enberg, etc.) and LOVE LADIES LEAGUE TENNIS.

I mostly read the books of the French Philosopher Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov. For me, these present the clearest and most practical explanation of life and man's structure in it that I've come across. These light-filled pages send my heart soaring and give me food for my present work.

Presently I write, illustrate and paint in my Solana Beach, California studio where I live with my husband Marv. I also still play a bit of tennis and walk the beach daily.

Reviews

[Belle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource to help children understand more about food allergy

Love this book! As a person who grew up having several food allergies, I know how important it is to have family and friends who understand why I need to be careful about what I eat. This is a great resource to educate young children about food allergies and for kids with allergy to help them clearly communicate it. The beautiful illustrations helped make reading this story a more enjoyable experience. Highly recommend!

[Sandra Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for a child with allergies. It is for my grandson with allergies.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done

Adorable illustrations and an easy to read story about a new student in a class and how the teacher asks him to tell everyone about his food allergies. I liked how the teacher supported the boy and made him feel the positive.

[Crystal Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The teacher Mrs. Emerson is just brilliant how she handles Jack's food allergy dilema and in return makes Jack appear quite brave and more in control over himself making things less scary and more uplighting. This is a great book for every child to have, considering all of the food allergies out there that kids may tend to overlook with their friends and eachother in general. It is important for all children to be more aware of what they are eating and who may have an allergy! This should be read to children at the earliest age possible for them to understand and also relate to when need be. This book makes children feel confident and gives them better self esteem when dealing with their own food allergies which is a gift in itself

[Ashley Lunnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Book!

I’m lost for words!! This ebook was so amazing I will be purchasing the actual book to add to my children’s library!! My son is allergic to everything and sometime he has a hard time excepting that out of fear of being judged my his friends. Often times he feels alone but this book can definitely help his self confidence. Thank you so much for this well illustrated book

[dan murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for learning about food allergies

This story presents important information about food allergies in a kid-friendly way. Children with severe allergies will feel comforted and less alone by reading this book. Children who have friends or classmates with food allergies will be able to learn more about how they can support and help their friends/classmates. I like that that the story encourages empathy. The cute illustrations helped make this enjoyable read.

[Nacho García · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about self-care and allergies!

Mrs. Emerson is a teacher that welcomes a new student named Jack. He has something to teach to the class. He has food allergies, he explains how to take care of himself and how to avoid certain foods. The class is very interested and ask many questions. He goes back home very happyly after his first day at school.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for this great book that not only is full of great information, but is a terrific way to ease worries children may have. Life is scary, especially when you have allergies or other health issues. The authors handle this subject with fun illustrations and easy to understand information to help children and those who love them deal with all life hands out so much better.

[Lauren Haviland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, many times in the classroom food allergies arent mentioned to other classmates. This does a fantastic job describing what his allergies are and how as a class they can all be supportive.

[Cindy Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read children's picture book about food allergies

This is a perfect way to teach young children about dealing with food allergies. The main character is welcomed to teach his classmates about the seriousness of what can happen if he eats something he is allergic to. The experience helped the boy explain his situation and allowed the other students to become more acceptable of this serious issue. My granddaughter has lots of food allergies and has to deal with this herself. She'll definitely have to be self disciplined and pay attention to ingredients in everything she eats. Excellent way to explain this to young readers.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful addition to the Sally Huss children’s book series. This book is especially relevant for me as my oldest grandchild deals with food allergies and carries an epinephrine pen with her everywhere she goes.

Jack enters his new classroom. He is a shy child with a special problem. Mrs. Emerson, his new teacher, asks Jack to tell the class about it. Jack doesn’t like being the center of attention but soon his new classmates eagerly want to learn more.

Children learn about food allergies and how they affect a child’s everyday life. I love the way Mrs. Emerson takes Jack’s situation and turns it into a positive by taking the opportunity to teach children about food allergies while pointing out the bravery and self-discipline Jack possesses in coping with them.

I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of elementary school children. Children who can’t eat certain foods suffer a great deal. It’s difficult to attend a children’s gathering and not partake of the food everyone else is eating. This book goes a long way to educate the general population about a problem that is widespread.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily decided to read and review with my honest opinions for no compensation.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really, really neat book! So often in social media, people in general make fun of those with different food allergies. Only allergies to shellfish are really taken seriously and even then, care is often not taken by the cooks and chefs. I'm allergic to shellfish and strawberries. One of my little grandsons is allergic to ANY dairy. Another is allergic to anything chocolate, except white chocolate which is processed differently. My daughter lactose intollerant. And my husband is allergic to lemons. We have to ensure any of our servers understand NOT to merely take the lemon off the glass of water, but a fresh glass, which garners quite the looks.

[Gerard Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to speak about with my kids

My son is Gluten Intolerant so this was a great book to speak about to him and his sister. Would recommend for any parent or child who wants to learn more about food allergies and discuss it in a friendly and fun way.

[Mary Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book for kids

The illustrations are cute and story about a child with food allergies is told in a way that all kids need to read and understand. Huss brought forth common questions that kids have about allergies and explained them in a way they understand.

[Naman Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a short take on spreading awareness of food allergies, especially among children. It is written in small points with beautiful visuals making it super accessible for small kids. Anyone who is suffering from food allergies has to be very careful of what he must consume, thus it inculcates extreme discipline in his life which is also crucial for success. Hence, this book also points out this superpower of people having food allergies. Highly recommended for small kids.