| Guest Blog by Alicia J. Pfaff, author of If I Can't Eat Flies, What Am I?  |  |
Millions of kids have a fun, new way to feel a “tad bit” better about their food allergies, at least that is one of my primary goals for my new children’s picture book. This book exposes the identity and belongingness issues kids often experience when diagnosed—but does so through a sweet story and whimsical illustrations painted by Paula M. Zelienka.
I know the heartbreak and anxiousness that goes along with being a food allergy (FA) parent. Although 3 of my 4 kids have them, this book is based on my son’s experiences growing up with multiple allergies to common foods such as dairy, soy, and egg. I hope this story provides food allergy kids with a character they can feel connected to and learn from. Just as important to me is a desire to raise awareness and compassion in those who interact with FA kids and their families.
In some ways, the timing of this release helps. With the pandemic, most are experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be unsure of whether they should interact or share food with another person. Everyone is working through the grief of missing important celebrations with their loved ones and friends—of feeling isolated. That will make it easier for people to relate to kids with food allergies and their parents. They feel that way often, and with no end in sight.
The book is called, If I Can’t Eat Flies What Am I? It is a story about Tad the frog. Tad is sad because he’s allergic to flies. Since everyone knows that’s what frogs eat, he’s sure he must be another kind of animal. So, the unhappy hopper heads out into the wide world to find out what he might be instead.
As he travels around the pond meeting a young duck, raccoon brothers, and a friendly cow, his efforts to find a place where he fits in just have him feeling even more like he stands out. Then, the frustrated little guy meets a magnificent medic bee who gives Tad all the information he needs to answer his question!
Will Tad realize he’s still a fabulous frog, no matter what he eats? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you or your child like endearing characters, lighthearted learning, and clever rhymes, then you’ll love this book!
If I Can’t Eat Flies, What Am I? will help kids take a leap toward acceptance today! Learn more at www.aliciajpfaff.com.
I know the heartbreak and anxiousness that goes along with being a food allergy (FA) parent. Although 3 of my 4 kids have them, this book is based on my son’s experiences growing up with multiple allergies to common foods such as dairy, soy, and egg. I hope this story provides food allergy kids with a character they can feel connected to and learn from. Just as important to me is a desire to raise awareness and compassion in those who interact with FA kids and their families.
In some ways, the timing of this release helps. With the pandemic, most are experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be unsure of whether they should interact or share food with another person. Everyone is working through the grief of missing important celebrations with their loved ones and friends—of feeling isolated. That will make it easier for people to relate to kids with food allergies and their parents. They feel that way often, and with no end in sight.
The book is called, If I Can’t Eat Flies What Am I? It is a story about Tad the frog. Tad is sad because he’s allergic to flies. Since everyone knows that’s what frogs eat, he’s sure he must be another kind of animal. So, the unhappy hopper heads out into the wide world to find out what he might be instead.
As he travels around the pond meeting a young duck, raccoon brothers, and a friendly cow, his efforts to find a place where he fits in just have him feeling even more like he stands out. Then, the frustrated little guy meets a magnificent medic bee who gives Tad all the information he needs to answer his question!
Will Tad realize he’s still a fabulous frog, no matter what he eats? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you or your child like endearing characters, lighthearted learning, and clever rhymes, then you’ll love this book!
If I Can’t Eat Flies, What Am I? will help kids take a leap toward acceptance today! Learn more at www.aliciajpfaff.com.
Alicia J. Pfaff is an author and Certified Holistic Health Coach who specializes in helping Moms take control of the craziness surrounding living with and managing autoimmune and allergy conditions. She named her company Healthy Tangents because she initially felt the food allergy diagnosis was a completely overwhelming hardship that forced her family onto a new and unwelcome course, but was eventually able to realize the silver linings that led to better health for the entire family.
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