Kids today are beset with a plethora of allergies
.They suffer from everything from gluten to nut allergies. Many along with their parents
r don't know what to do or how to refuse. Luckily, there's a brand new book out there to help along. A smart boy, named Lou can help them.
The children's book,
Lou Knows What To Do; Special Diet "Boystown
Press 2017) was co-written by Kimberly Tice
,MS CCC-SLP and Venita Livack MA, CCC-SLP who have encountered children who have had allergies. It is a plague of the modern world, with more and more children (along with adults) being diagnosed with severe food hypersensitivity. This book is a gentle tale about a young boy
, named
Lou who has to deal with the double onus of a peanut and gluten allergies. This wide eyed boy, expertly drawn by
Andre Kerry ,discovers he has to change his diet. His magic bubble wand (and what kid - or adult for that matter wouldn't want this) shows him the type of foods that he can't have. There is a bubble depicting a table full of doughnuts, cereal, bread and cake along with a bubble showing
Lou looking fretfully at a jar of peanut butter
.There are also pictures of him checking out boxes with his mom in the their local supermarket. Another
shows hin at a restaurant, scanning over a menu along with thanking a chef for creating a "safe" meal for him. More illustrations show Lou at school
, with him saying no to trading questionable snacks,. There's also him with his teacher and the explanation of how to use an epi pen.
This is the must have book for both parents and teachers. What I like about it is that every page starts with the red ink highlighted
Lou knows. Ms. Tice and Ms.
Livack also know not to talk down to kids, and explain everything in simple, uncomplicated terms. They have written
other "Lou" books" that features the hero at the supermarket and at a party
.Another plus is that they stress the seriousness yet liveability of severe allergies without also showing the sometimes dire consequences. This book is definitely a learning tool, allowing for a dialogue to take place between teachers and students. There is even a page of tips for educators
.It can also open a conversation for healthy eating and what foods are good or bad
.There's also a quiz at the back too to see if the kids really understood the story and if they retained anything
.A nice bonus would have been a section on recipes that feature gluten and nut free dishes and snacks. Hopefully the authors will consider this in this future and include recipes for sunflower seed butter as well as for gluten pizzas and cupcakes.
Lou Knows What To Do, Special Diet, is a great book for kids with allergy. It is smartly and sensitively written by two authors who have a keen insight into children. This is a must have for any young person's library.,
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