No Lobster, Please!

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!
Review: As a mother of four-year old twins, both of whom have severe food allergies, I commend and admire Ms. Rogers on her book. It is wonderful! To date, I think it is the best book in print re: food allergies and the host of issues that go along with them. Recommended reading for ANY family with ANY type of food allergy. Also excellent reading for any person who comes in contact with your child. It's straight-forward, easy to understand content provides a clear picture for those folks who are not familiar with the host of emotional, psychological and physical aspects that people close to food allergies experience on a daily basis. Congratulations to Ms. Rogers on a job very well done!

Rating:
Summary: Loving Lessons about Being Special
Review: No Lobster, Please! is the nonfiction story of James Rogers who is in first grade at the H. Olive Day School in Norfolk, Massachusetts. James's Mother, Ms. Robyn Rogers, wrote the story for him, and the book is illustrated by James (see the self-portrait on page five) and his classmates in Ms. Fazio's class. Ms. Fazio also designed the cover. This is a book that is clearly written, illustrated and bound in love for James.

As the book opens, James is the narrator. He's sad because his family and friends are going to a lobster party. He cannot go because he's so allergic to lobster that even the air from the cooking of lobsters can cause a reaction.

James then tells us how he found out about the allergy. One day he helped his Mother crack open her lobster. From touching the lobster, he got the red bumps of hives, his lips swelled, his mouth felt tingly, his tummy hurt, and he felt like he was going to be sick. Breathing started to be hard. A call to 911 brought an ambulance and a shot of epinephrine from the paramedics. At the hospital, the doctors gave Ms. Rogers another shot to carry around for James. He didn't like the shot, but he knew it made him feel better.

As a follow-up James was tested for allergies and found out that he's allergic to all shellfish and many other types of seafood. His allergic reaction could get worse with repeated exposure, so he has to be careful.

He cannot eat at seafood restaurants, places that have seafood in their buffets, and sits as a "tuna-free" table at school. When the cafeteria has fish sticks for lunch, he eats with the school nurse.

Returning to the present, James's Dad leaves with his brother and sisters for the lobster party. James's Mom stays home, even though lobster used to be her favorite food.

He's in for a surprise, though, because she has a fun day planned just for him! He had so much fun he forgets where everyone else had gone. While ordering a dessert, he tells a little joke, "Wait, one more thing, no lobster, please!"

When I was six, beautiful banana splits beckoned. But I'd never had one. I begged my Mother for one. She finally relented (for they were very expensive). The waitress asked me what I wanted on it. I didn't know what came with a banana split. So she asked me if I wanted vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream. That sounded fine. Then she asked if I would like chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce and pineapple. I didn't know what pineapple was . . . but, well, why not? The enormous delight arrived and I dug in. It was great! Except . . . I started to itch. Then I started to swell. Then I had trouble breathing. Yup, pretty soon I was at the doctor's office. I remember it like it was yesterday . . . and don't recommend the experience. Reading this book brought all of that back. I never did quite understand what had happened until years later when I read up on allergies. I had had a temporary allergy to pineapple which I have since outgrown. But I didn't try pineapple again for many years.

Two of my children are very lactose intolerant. They can become violently ill on two slices of pizza (without taking the necessary tablets to help reduce the problem). And they crave eating dairy foods, all of which cause their insides to expand rapidly with gas. Naturally, their friends' parents always serve pizza, milk and ice cream whenever the kids get together. It's tough. Their experiences are a little like James's, but not so serious or frightening . . . just physically and emotionally painful.

For neither my children nor myself have I ever seen a children's book to help put food allergies and food digestion issues into context. I wish this book had come along a lot earlier!

Although this book focuses on lobster, I think you could use it for children with other allergies and food and environmental intolerances. In fact, having most such problems would seem like a relief compared to what James has to go through.

The best part to me is that the book shows how to take a child's "special" problem and turn it into an opportunity to make a child feel special. When our children were little, we ordered many versions of the computer-generated books that customize the book about the child. It never occurred to me (even though I'm a writer) to create my own children's book for each child. My hat's off to Ms. Rogers for going to the nth degree to create a special good feeling for her son. Nice going!

After you finish this book, I suggest that you make a book with and about a child in your life (whether a daughter or son, a nephew or niece, or grandchild . . . or just a child down the block). You'll feel special, too.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: This book is a must have for families with an allergenic child. While the book focuses mainly on seafood allergies, and how to help your child cope with them, the tale is suitable for children with any allergies. Both innovative and original, No Lobster, Please! is a jewel among childrens' literature.