Product Description

For children, a diagnosis of celiac disease and an abrupt change to a gluten-free diet can bring about an overwhelming number of questions and concerns. What is gluten? Why can't I eat cake, cookies, and chicken nuggets like everyone else? What do I tell my friends? Answers to these and many other questions are provided in this book. Written by the mother of a child with celiac disease, who also has the disease herself, this book offers a reassuring look at celiac disease in language that a child can easily understand. This fictional story is based on the real-life experiences many newly diagnosed children face. Five-year-old Emily and her parents wonder why she's not feeling well. Her belly is swollen, and she feels moody and sick. A trip to the doctor raises some concerns and further tests show that Emily has celiac disease. Emily talks about what food she can and cannot eat, how her Mom buys special gluten-free food, and the need to stay on a gluten-free diet at restaurants, birthday parties, friends' houses, school, and camp. With its light-hearted, colorful illustrations, the book helps children to see that having celiac disease is not so scary after all. Emily acknowledges that having celiac disease is sometimes tough, but talking about her feelings with her mom always makes her feel better. She knows that celiac disease is only part of who she is -- she also likes to jump rope, paint, tell jokes, and pick flowers! This book's positive message will be a huge boost to children with celiac disease, especially those who have been recently diagnosed. Ages 3-7

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #292735 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-21
• Released on: 2009-01-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1–Young Emily explains that when she was five, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a lifelong digestive disorder. She cannot eat anything containing wheat, barley, or rye because she cannot digest the gluten. Her mom acknowledges the difficulties of the condition and tells her she is special because she can jump rope and paint, and also because she must eat gluten-free. Charming watercolor illustrations depict the child as she undergoes tests leading to her diagnosis, and as she goes to school, restaurants, and camp, where she encounters situations that can be difficult due to her illness. Information is presented in a friendly and straightforward manner. This kind and calming book never condescends, and will be a useful addition for parenting resource collections.–Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
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About the Author
Bonnie J. Kruszka is a graduate of the Masters of Science in Nursing Program at Case Western Reserve University, FPB School of Nursing. She practices as a nurse practitioner in the field of emergency medicine. A dedicated advocate of celiac disease awareness, she and her family reside in Carmel, Indiana.

Customer Reviews

Great Book for Children
Eating Gluten-Free with Emily is a children's book that not only explains a gluten-free diet, but also details Emily's digestive symptoms and the route from doctor to blood draw to scope to get the diagnosis. The illustrations are colorful and cute. The story, which is told from Emily's perspective, explains celiac disease in a way that children understand, and gives examples of what foods contain gluten and which ones do not. Emily also explains how she deals with real-life situations, like camp and birthday parties. My favorite line in the book comes from Emily and her mom when they question restaurant staff: "We say, 'We are gluten detectives. Answer the questions, please.'" This book has been helpful to my family in two ways. My five year old daughter is autistic, and has been on a gluten free/casein free diet for four years, and it has given her twin brother and older sister a perspective of what a special diet is like for their sister. Additionally, my elder daughter is about to see a pediatric gastroenterologist, to rule out (or in?) celiac disease. This book has given us a wonderful opportunity to talk about the process of going to the doctor and making dietary changes. Seven year old Mikalea tells me she thinks this book is good because it shows that Emily is just a regular kid who needs to eat special food. Bridges4Kids Review by Penny Ray

Wonderful!
This book does a wonderful job of educating the youngest & oldest about Celiac's. It takes you through pre-diagnosis to living & managing the diet. My 2 year old loves to read about a little girl like herself who meets a little boy who also has Celiac's. She feels special everytime that we read it.

Gluten Free with Emily
I am a preschool teacher and have a student with Celiac in my class as well as 3 other students with food allergies. I read this book and all of my students loved it! They have asked to hear it again and again. My gluten-free student actually had tears in his eyes the first time I read it and hugged me afterwards. All 15 of my students are aware of their classmates food allergies and this has been a springboard for discussion of all aspects of restricted eating. I highly reccomend this book for classroom use.