The Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Tale

Interview with Sue Ganz – Schmitt Author of The Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Tale

In your book the royal kitchen and castle all make adaptations that are often made in a child’s real life.
What sort of conversations do you hope will happen with this well chosen parallel between reality and story telling?

I hope that the children will discuss and identify with those people and places who make sacrifices both inside outside of their homes to keep them safe from food allergens. We now have peanut free zones at school, and precautions in the classroom. Some stadiums and airlines are taking precautions around peanuts as well. Children and parents can talk about their surroundings as their kingdom.

The Princess and the Peanut is intended to be used as a tool for discussing the need for an epinephrine injection, taking antihistamines, as well as for a skin pick/blood test. This book can be used for preparing the child for these events, or to help them relate after the fact.

I wrote this story with the intention to create a feeling of support for both the parents and and the children who live so vigilantly around food.

Why did you choose to model your allergic tale after The Princess and The Pea?

In focusing on books for children with medical challenges, I take the unfamiliarity of a medical diagnoses and pair it with a familiar theme in children's literature. The original story featured a Princess with a great sensitivity, which seemed like a perfect partner for the subject of food allergies.

What age range is your book aimed at?

The book was written for ages 4-9, but I also have comments from 11-14 year olds who love the book, and really, I think the parent's have been enjoying it as much as the kids.

What can we learn from both the Prince, and the princess in The Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Tale?

One lesson is that most of us have sensitivities to one thing or another, and that there is great support around us.

Also, with a bit of sacrifice there is a happily ever after for all of us to join together in spite of food allergies. At the end of the book, I have included some informational pages to educate caregivers and kids on food allergies. I hope that by educating those who read this book, we can help keep kids with food allergies healthy and safe.

With your books Even Superheroes Get Diabetes, The Princess and the Peanut and your upcoming book Even Pirates Get Leukemia,
what made you decide to write children’s books that deal with health challenges?

In 2001, I began a baby group with around 10 families. Within a few short years, three of the children had medical diagnoses including: Leukemia, Diabetes, and Epilepsy. I searched for vibrant and inspiring books related to their medical conditions and found very few available. As one who loves books and reading, I felt producing these books would be a great vehicle to support families suffering medical challenges.

Visit The Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Tale website at www.royallyallergic.com







Other Interviews

Jenny Kales author The NEW Nut-Free Mom: A Crash Course in Caring for Your Nut-Allergic Child

Sarah Prye author Food Allergies on the High Seas

Sharon Chisvin author of The Girl WHo Cannot Eat Peanut Butter

Bridget Batson author of Jude the Dude The Peanut Allergic Kid

Carla Burke author of My Name May Be Peanuts, But I say Nay to PB & J

Amy Recob author of The bug a Bees friends with Food Allergies

Heather Mehra and Kerry Manama authors of The No Biggie Bunch

Ginger Carter Miller.htm Gluten Free in Georgia blogger

Iris Shamus founder Allermates

Sharon Rosen Live Corn Free Blogger

Douglas Samual Allergy Details blogger

Jeff Edner Owner Dairy Free Market

Sarah Hatfield No Whey Mama blogger










HOME
Avoiding
Milk
Protein


More Allergy
Kids Books

Avoiding Milk
Blog





HOME
Avoiding
Milk
Protein


More Allergy
Kids Books

Avoiding Milk
Blog