Allergies come in many forms and can have many symptoms. From reactions to pollen and dust, side effects to drugs and medicines and food intolerances. They are a growing problem in today’s world, affecting millions of people around the globe, and some can have some very serious consequences. But what is an allergy? In simple terms, it is the body’s immune system responding to, for many people, otherwise harmless substances with symptoms ranging from mild discomforts, like sneezing and itching, to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. The lack of awareness around allergies and their triggers often leads to dangerous situations and misconceptions. Many people underestimate the risks associated with allergens or assume they can simply be avoided or brushed aside. This lack of knowledge and empathy can make life doubly challenging for allergy sufferers. I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella, takes a serious look at the challenges of allergies in a engaging and enlightening way for children.
For anybody that has food allergies, it is more than avoiding the foods that can cause a problem – other issues can arise such as isolation and not being able to join in. Katie Kinsella’s I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies is a relatable exploration of life with a food allergy, based around a woodland hedgehog and his friends.
I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies is set in the woodland with a variety of different animals. The main character is Hedgehog who has a food allergy. All the other woodland animals are having a party and while the other animals try to include Hedgehog, he has to decline their offer because of his food allergies, which the other animals really don’t understand what they are and their consequences. This leaves Hedgehog feeling alone and isolated while all the other animals are having fun. That is until Deer takes the time to learn a bit more about Hedgehogs allergies and their consequences and comes up with a plan to make sure that Hedgehog can be included in their party festivities.
Overall, I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella is a superb book about understanding allergies, specifically food allergies, to children. While a serious subject, food allergies can have deadly consequences, it has been written with sensitivity and enlightenment. It is perfect for helping to educate children about allergies, their consequences and their misunderstandings, but is also a perfect story that resonates with young readers who might be navigating similar challenges.
The story is very well told, easy to read and brings across a very serious topic that helps children understand just how serious allergies can be while still making activities inclusive for everybody – whether they have allergies or not.
The storytelling is fun and touching, taking readers through a journey of discovering, managing, and accepting allergies. It highlights not only the dangers of food allergies, but the effort that goes into constantly checking food packing for ingredients, the fears of eating out, the feelings of isolation as not being able to join in, and the constant vigilance required to stay safe.
While the story is very engaging and well-constructed, it doesn’t diminish the gravity of the subject. And then there are the illustrations by Vicky Kuhn. The fun and bright illustrations bring it vividly to life.
This is an interesting story of how allergies affect people and how with small changes inclusivity can be achieved. It is also a wonderful story of listening, understanding and good friendship. I think that it is a fantastic story for educating people about the hidden dangers of an allergy, how it can affect people and the people in their lives, as well as offering some comfort to those living with an allergy.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £8.99 (Paperback) / £5.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
