The Princess and the Peanut Allergy [Hardcover]

Wendy McClure (Author), Tammie Lyon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 1 and up

Regina and her mom are busy preparing for her birthday party. It's going to be a princess party with the perfect cake that looks like a castle and has ice cream cone towers. Regina is inviting all the girls in her class, including her best friend, Paula. Paula is excited, too, until she finds out about the cake. It will have nutty fudge brownies and peanut butter candies. Paula can't eat that cake--she can't go anywhere near that cake--because she has a peanut allergy. Regina really wants her cake, and she and Paula fight about it.  That afternoon they both go home mad.  But that night, after Regina reads her favorite story, "The Princess and the Pea," she thinks more about her friend and the cake.  The next morning she has a great plan that will please everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Regina can't wait for her birthday party, especially since she plans to have a fabulous castle cake made out of giant brownie bricks. Then her best friend tells her that she can't eat any of it because of her peanut allergy. Regina doesn't understand why Paula can't pick out the peanuts, and the two girls have a big fight, resulting in Regina uninviting her friend. The birthday girl has a change of heart after listening to the "Princess and the Pea" and decides that the cake can be made without peanuts. The story, while helpful for illuminating food allergies, is a bit pedantic, and it seems unlikely that Regina would be unaware of her best friend's allergy. The cartoonlike watercolor illustrations are attractive, but do little to elevate the unimaginative story. The book concludes with a note from a pediatric allergist. This title may be useful for teachers who happen to have students with food allergies and need a resource for other members of the class.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY
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About the Author

Wendy McClure is an Albert Whitman author.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807566233
• ISBN-13: 978-0807566237
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Twist to Further Understanding of a Difficult Problem, June 16, 2009

By 

Mary Anne Beier "Anne Beier "Published Au... (Ossining, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Princess and the Peanut Allergy (Hardcover)

This book delivers a good story without being preachy about the difficulties of peanut allergies. The Princess and the Pea analogy works, and makes sense. As a result, Regina comes to her own conclusions about how her choice of birthday cake will affect her friend's health and ultimately their friendship. A great book to use with "The Peanut-Free Cafe."

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great to help kids understand food allergies, July 7, 2009

By 

susanne - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Princess and the Peanut Allergy (Hardcover)

The book analagizes a tiny bit of peanut to a little tiny pea under a princesses bed in "the princess in the pea"-- helps kids to understand that even a tiny little bit can hurt. Also addresses some social problems kids might have regarding allergies. Really a sweet story that my two year old non-allergic girl loves even more than my four year old with allergies. I think it would be great for older children as well.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for kids with food restrictions!, January 30, 2010

By 

Wayward "waywardwind" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Princess and the Peanut Allergy (Hardcover)

This book addresses food allergies from the viewpoint of a child not personally dealing with them. Regina is planning a birthday party, and becomes very upset that her best friend won't be able to come because of a food allergy. (Her friend tearfully tells her dad she wishes she could keep her allergy secret, and her dad is supportive that she did the right thing.) The book ends with the realization that the important thing is to keep everyone safe and have fun.

While not all kids can have such a perfect ending to food allergy outings, kids will see their own fears and frustrations addressed and dealt with by other kids their age. They also will see a satisfactory ending without any hard lessons involving epi pens and ambulances.

A great book to share with classmates, or in a group with a food allergic individual. (Or to use in any lesson plan dealing with tolerance and compromise)