Book Review of A Lesson for Every Child, Learning About Food Allergies
The Children’s Book Review

Written by Sally Huss with Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

Illustrated by Sally Huss

Ages 3-5 | 42 Pages

Publisher: Huss Publishing | ISBN-13: 978-1945742620

What to expect: Allergies, Elementary School

It’s so much fun to learn about new things—like the solar system or tigers! But sometimes, it’s just as important to learn new things about more serious subjects—like life-threatening food allergies.

Mrs. Emerson, the elementary school teacher, loves to learn about new things. And when new student Jack shares his serious allergy history, she seizes the opportunity for the class as a whole to learn. Jack tells his classmates about how he is different than most kids. He has to watch what he eats for certain foods that make his body very sick. His classmates can ask Jack about his allergies and learn how important it is for some people to be aware of what they eat and to prepare for accidents with epinephrine auto-injectors.

Sally Huss, a prolific artist and author of dozens of children’s books, handles this vital subject with care. It’s a serious topic—deadly allergies are no joke. But she keeps the tone light enough not to be scary. The happy, uplifting pictures of the children asking questions and learning openly about allergies are an excellent example to young readers, and Jack is presented as brave and intelligent (because he is!).

Sometimes young children might not understand others with real food allergies, and this story helps to show that kids with allergies are working hard to keep themselves safe and healthy. I appreciated the sweet illustrations of happy children, the colorful palette, and Huss’ sparse, soothing dialogue. It was the exact right level for preschool or early elementary school children.

As a parent with a child with life-threatening allergies, I found the book very helpful. It was as serious as the subject deserves without alarming readers. Food allergies are stressful and, at times, all-consuming. Jack rightly explains how he has to read every label and know exactly what is in every food, or he can’t eat it. He shows his auto-injectors, the life-saving devices used when someone has anaphylaxis after consuming an allergen. These are all presented as facts without extra fear or downplaying the situation.

A Lesson for Every Child, Learning About Food Allergies would be an excellent book to read in class with a group of students, especially if someone there has life-threatening allergies. Young readers will enjoy learning about this serious topic thanks to its factual and kind-hearted presentation of food allergies.

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About the Author-Illustrator

Sally Huss is a children’s book author and illustrator and a former tennis champion. She lives with her brilliant husband who is forever telling her what her next book should be. She, however, listens to her own heart and writes what she wants; occasionally serving him scrambled eggs and gluten-free toast. She herself prefers a blueberry muffin.

For more information, visit www.sallyhuss.com.

About the Author

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is the founder of The Best Ever You Network and Chief Executive Officer of Compliance4. Through these companies, she has helped individuals and organizations around the world be their best and achieve world-class excellence with gratitude-based behavior and belief systems. She is one of America’s foremost personal and corporate development consultants specializing in mindset, gratitude, change management, strategy, leadership, and taking action. Elizabeth is a member of the Forbes Business Council.

For more information, visit www.elizabethguarino.com.

A Lesson for Every Child, Learning About Food Allergies by Sally Huss and Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like A Lesson for Every Child, Learning About Food Allergies by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with elementary school, Food, and Food Safety.