Allergies and intolerances come in many, some more serious than other. As I am writing this I am struggling with the effects of hayfever and extremely itchy sore eyes – something I never really used to suffer with. When it comes to food allergies, they are more than just dietary restrictions or “fussy eating”, they can shape a child’s daily life, social experiences and emotional well-being. For young readers (as well as adults), understanding allergies, whether you have any or not, is key to building empathy and creating inclusive environments. Picture books that tackle this topic with warmth and clarity can help children grasp the seriousness of allergies while encouraging kindness and awareness. I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella, takes a serious look at the challenges of allergies in an engaging and enlightening way for children.
I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies, written by Katie Kinsella and illustrated by Vicky Kuhn, is a thoughtful and engaging story that helps children understand food allergies and is a gentle tale of inclusion and understanding.
For anybody that has or has knowledge of food allergies, it is so much more than avoiding the foods that can cause a problem – other issues can arise such as isolation and not being able to join in, having complete trust in food packaging labelling and eating in places where you can be sure that there is no cross-contamination. This book is a gentle and 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 a woodland filled with charming animal characters. This tale centres around Hedgehog, who lives with a food allergy. When the other animals plan a party, they do try to include him, but their lack of understanding about his condition leaves Hedgehog feeling isolated and left out. That is, until Deer takes the time to learn about allergies and comes up with a plan to make the celebration safe and inclusive for everyone.
Overall, I think that this is a wonderful book for children about understanding allergies, specifically food allergies. While a food allergies can be a serious subject matter, the storytelling is sensitive and accessible. It not only highlights the physical risks food allergies cause but also looks at the emotional impact – the fear, the exclusion, and the constant vigilance allergy sufferers face. Perfect for educating young readers about allergies, their consequences and myths/misunderstandings around them. It will resonate with young readers who might be navigating similar challenges.
The storytelling is fun and touching, taking readers through a journey of discovering, managing, and accepting allergies.
The illustrations by Vicky Kuhn are bright, playful, and full of personality, which help to soften the serious subject matter while keeping young readers engaged. The woodland setting and expressive animal characters make the story feel both familiar and magical.
A very good educational story around how allergies affect people and with some understanding how small changes makes inclusivity more achievable.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £8.99 (Paperback) / £5.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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