Gluten-Free Friends: An Activity Book for Kids

By Nancy Patin Falini, MA, RD, LDN

Table of Contents

 

Imagine being a kid who can’t eat cookies, pizza, or spaghetti! Thousands of kids have to avoid these foods because they contain gluten, a toxic protein that makes them sick. Now, this delightfully illustrated new activity and coloring book explains why.

 

Brimming with a wide variety of learning experiences designed for kids ages 4-11, this innovative activity book explains why gluten makes them sick. Easy-to-use educational techniques help kids––and their parents––understand gluten intolerance and how to make difficult but critical gluten-free food choices in various social settings such as school, a friend’s house, or at a party. The child’s thoughts and feeling are also explored.

 

Introduction

Two friendly kids with celiac disease, Megan and Ben, introduce themselves and invite kids to indicate their favorite activities.

 

Chapter 1

Megan and Ben explain in simple, easy-to-understand terms what gluten-free means, what gluten does to their bodies, and why it’s important to avoid gluten. Simple illustrations of the digestive tract help kids understand this concept.

 

Chapter 2

Megan and Ben show examples of gluten-containing foods (such as flour tortillas) so kids know what to avoid.

 

Chapter 3

Megan and Ben offer examples of gluten-free foods and the book stresses how important it is to eat the right foods to be healthy. Examples of food from the four food groups (meat, dairy, grains, and fruits/vegetables) are given so kids know what is safe and what isn’t.

 

Chapter 4

Megan and Ben show how important it is to read labels, check with Mom or Dad (or a caretaker) before eating food offered in various kids of social settings like school or at a friend’s house.

 

Learning activities at the end of each chapter help parents and caretakers guide kids through the main points on each of the pages.

 

Appendix

In addition to the learning activities at the end of each chapter, supplemental learning instructions in the Appendix provide guidelines for parents and caretakers to make the most of the learning opportunities offered in this book.

 

Numerous support resources such as associations and web sites are offered at the end of the Appendix.