Books About Asthma and Eczema
This week I am sharing some stories about two common childhood diagnoses: asthma and eczema. The two conditions are actually related, and many children that suffer from one also suffer from the other. Fortunately, there are lots of effective treatments available, and probably not related, there are also lots of book options for both!
As we enter pollen season (which can trigger both of these conditions), I thought I would share a variety of stories that I found about each condition. Each of these stories tells one character's experience, but they also each review common treatments and common triggers. I love that there are a variety of titles so that kids can find a story and a character that most aligns with them. Read the reviews below to help you decide which book might fit your family the best!
Asthma:
Honeydew’s Asthma Adventure by Dr. Adie
This book tells the story of Honeydew the Hippo who has asthma. The book is written in rhyming prose. It focuses on the things that cause the asthma to flare and treatment by inhaler/spacer. This could be a fun book for young kids with asthma to reinforce concepts or behaviors, or it could be used to share with a classroom who is curious about a classmate with asthma. They also sell a hippo stuffed animal with an attached inhaler which could be great for a child to play through what they learn or what they experience. (www.carabie.com) This book is best for young children, but may need a little clarification - the rhyming words aren’t always worlds that young children are familiar with.
I Have Asthma (What Do You Know About? Books) by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
This book tells the story of one boy’s asthma attack during a soccer game. His parents take him to the hospital, and he learns that he has asthma for the first time. The book talks about treating his asthma with an inhaler and about how preventative medicine can help him continue to do all of the things he likes to do. After the hospital, he goes back to the soccer field, but is worried that the other kids won’t want to be around him. He learns his friends still want to play and that one of them has asthma too. I appreciated the more scientific educational illustrations, although I do think several of them might need an adult’s explanations for a child to understand. The book is approachable and educational. Due to the longer text, I would say that the book would be best for school-aged kids.
Brianna Breathes Easy by Virginia Kroll
This book tells the story of a girl excited to be part of the school play. She starts having issues with coughing, especially tied to smoke and running. Eventually she has an asthma attack and is taken to the hospital in the ambulance. The doctor teaches her about her asthma and what she can do to take care of her body. In the end, the book shows her success in the play and in taking care of her body. I especially appreciated that it also showed her grandfather making changes in his home to help her asthma. While kids books support kids, they are approachable examples for the whole family. This would be a good book for school age books.
Abby’s Asthma and the Big Race by Theresa Martin Golding
This book tells the story of a girl who has already been diagnosed with asthma. She makes it a goal to win the big race in town. She struggles when there is bad pollen in the air. The story also talks about her doctor’s appointment and the things she encounters like the spirometer. It also talks about preventative treatment and listening to the doctor’s suggestion to warm up. This story would be very relatable for kids with asthma and reinforces that asthma doesn’t need to limit them. Good for preschool through middle elementary.
Eczema:
Biscuit’s Eczema Journey by Dr. Adie
This book tells the story of Biscuit the Bunny who has eczema. The book is written in rhyming prose. It focuses on the things that cause the eczema to flare and various treatments. This could be a fun book for young kids with eczema to reinforce concepts or behaviors. It could also be used to share with a classroom who is curious about a classmate with asthma. They also sell a stuffed bunny with pink patches of ‘eczema’ to go with the book. This could be a great tool to play through what they’ve learned or what they experience. (www.carabie.com) This book is best for young children, but may need a little clarification - the rhyming words aren’t always worlds that young children are familiar with.
The Itcy-Saurus: The Dino With An Itch That Can’t Be Scratched by Rosie Wellesley
This book is great for young children, especially young children who are struggling with trying not to scratch their eczema. The playful story talks about a dinosaur who struggles with itching and another little guy who makes him a potion that helps, but he has to be patient and let it work over time. This book is silly and would be great for young children, probably ages 2-8.
Mitchell Itches: An Eczema Story by Kristin Kelly
This story is about a boy with significant eczema. It playfully talks about his struggles as a baby and as a child. It talks about the things that make it worse and the things that make it better. It also highlights his other skills and things that make him special. I think this is an excellent, relatable book that is written in an engaging and easy to follow way. This book could be great with kids with eczema, classrooms who want to learn more, or maybe kids who ask questions about a friend or family member's eczema. The book would be great for school aged kids.
