I Have Eczema..... So What?

Maya is a 9 year old girl who suffers from eczema. She is itchy all the time and can't enjoy all the fun games or delicious foods that her friends do. She faces teasing, isolation and A LOT OF questions. But along with her family, she slowly learns how to manage her condition and chooses to be happy in spite of it. This is a story about Maya's challenges, her courage and her family’s unshakeable love and determination to support her.

Reading level: 5 - 15 years
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: FunOKPlease Content Publishing Private Limited; 1 edition (Apr 2016)

Author: Anindita Guha Maulik Rungta

Anindita is India's first certified Functional Medicine Health Coach from the US based Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. She will be setting up the first functional medicine based clinic in Mumbai, later this year along with Dr Amrita Talwar, her co author and her daughter's dermatologist.

IMPORTANT: Illustrated kids' books about allergies serve several important purposes for children:

1. Education: These books provide a child-friendly and relatable way to learn about allergies. They explain what allergies are, common allergens, and how to recognize allergic reactions. This knowledge empowers children to understand their own allergies or those of their friends and classmates.

2. Empathy and Understanding: Allergy-themed books help foster empathy in children. They teach kids to be considerate of others who may have allergies and to be aware of potential allergens. This can reduce the risk of accidentally causing harm to their peers with allergies.

3. Safety: Children with allergies need to know how to keep themselves safe. Allergy books often include practical tips on avoiding allergens, carrying medications (like EpiPens), and seeking help in case of an allergic reaction. This knowledge can be life-saving.

4. Reducing Fear and Anxiety: Allergies can be frightening for children, especially if they've experienced severe reactions. Illustrated books can help demystify allergies, making them less scary and more manageable for kids. This can reduce anxiety and increase their confidence in managing their allergies.

5. Inclusivity: These books promote inclusivity by raising awareness of allergies and their impact. They help create a more supportive and understanding environment for children with allergies, ensuring they feel included and safe in social settings.

6. Healthy Eating Habits: Some allergy-themed books focus on food allergies. These books can help children with allergies and their peers make informed food choices, promoting healthier eating habits and ensuring that everyone can enjoy meals together safely.

7. Reading and Literacy Skills: Illustrated books are a fantastic tool for developing reading and literacy skills in children. By using engaging visuals and relatable stories, allergy-themed books encourage kids to read and learn.

In summary, illustrated kids' books about allergies are beneficial because they educate, promote empathy, enhance safety, reduce fear and anxiety, foster inclusivity, encourage healthy habits, and support literacy development. These books play a crucial role in helping children navigate a world where allergies are increasingly common.

She is also a first time author and has written a book called "I have eczema... so what?" She writes a blog called "eczema-anindianperspective.com" where she shares information and also provides a form of support to others suffering from eczema. She was previously a finance professional and has 10 years of experience in the banking finance industry.

Advance Reviews:

This is a gentle and compassionate story about coping with a skin problem that is terribly misunderstood. Every child-friendly school library should stock this sensitively written and colourfully illustrated book. Mrs. Meera Issacs, Principal, The Cathedral & John Connon School

Anindita has written a compelling account of a little eczema sufferer that tugs at your heartstrings. It is a must-read for everyone who is suffering from eczema or caring for someone with eczema. Starting with discomfort, rejection, isolation and desolation to acceptance and eventual triumph, this roller coaster of feelings gives a human face to a medical condition. Dr. Manish K. Shah, Vice-President, ISPD, Associate Hon Dermatologist, B. J. Wadia Hospital for Children & Consultant Dermatologist & Pediatric Dermatologist, Bhatia Hospital

What a positive book!! So much information wrapped up in a story form. There were two aspects which really appealed to me. The first being what I truly believe in; that families are responsible for establishing self worth in children. The second, separating the problem from the person! I hope this book makes many more Mayas with eczema grow into happy, self assured adults. Dr. Pervin Dadachanji, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.