Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a kidlit author myself. I’ve written two middle-grade novels, one of which is all about having a food allergy, but my interest in food allergies is all due to my first kid. Amelia was born with multiple allergies to common ingredients like eggs and dairy. At first it was hard! Figuring out how to cook for her at home and keep her safe when she was in school or at a friend’s house felt daunting and frightening, so we turned to books for advice, recipes, and education for the entire family. Even if your reader isn’t the one with allergies, they’ve no doubt got a classmate or family member who does. 


I wrote

My Year of Epic Rock

By Andrea Pyros,

Book cover of My Year of Epic Rock

What is my book about?

A funny, relatable tale about friendship, first crushes, and...anaphylactic shock? When Nina's BFF ditches her on the first day of…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Princess and the Peanut Allergy

Andrea Pyros Why did I love this book?

Paula has a food allergy to peanuts. When her best friend Regina finds out, Regina decides that serving a cake filled with peanuts at her birthday party could hurt her friend, and she decides to plan a different princess-themed party instead. This sweetly illustrated picture book is about living with food allergies, and how friends can help keep other food-allergic children safe and feel included on all sorts of special days. 

By Wendy McClure, Tammie Lyon (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Princess and the Peanut Allergy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A story about allergies, and being friends too.

Regina has a huge, princess-themed, peanut-filled cake planned for her birthday party, that is until she learns that her best friend Paula has a severe peanut allergy! In this introduction to food allergies, Regina learns how dangerous an allergic reaction can be, and how she can best help a friend stay safe. With dimensional and bright illustrations, this book perfectly depicts the importance of respecting a friend's needs.


Book cover of Daniel Has an Allergy

Andrea Pyros Why did I love this book?

Little kids who are already familiar with Daniel from the beloved Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood animated television series will be drawn to this story, whether or not they themselves have a food allergy. Daniel eats a peach and discovers he’s allergic to the fruit, but with some help from his dad and his awesome doctor, Daniel learns he can take care of himself no matter where he is.  

By Angela C. Santomero, Jason Fruchter (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Daniel Has an Allergy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A new generation of children love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, inspired by the classic series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood!

Daniel Tiger learns how to manage a food allergy in this helpful 8x8 storybook based on an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

When Daniel eats a peach for the first time, he learns that he is allergic to the fruit. Thankfully, Dad and Doctor Anna take care of him. Daniel learns how he can take care of his allergy—even at school! A wonderful story for children with food allergies or for those who know someone with them.

© 2017 The Fred Rogers Company


Book cover of Peanut

Andrea Pyros Why did I love this book?

A graphic novel for teens, Peanut tells the story of a new girl in town who decides that she needs something to make her interesting to her new high school classmates. So Sadie pretends to have a peanut allergy. Sure, that might make her interesting, but when her lie starts to grow like a snowball rolling down a mountain, Sadie’s not sure how she’ll get out of this disaster of her own making.

By Ayun Halliday, Paul Hoppe (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Peanut as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

Before you write me off as a delusional psycho, think about what it's like to be thrown into a situation where everyone knows everyone... and no one knows you. Sadie has the perfect plan to snag some friends when she transfers to Plainfield High—pretend to have a peanut allergy. But what happens when you have to hand in that student health form your unsuspecting mom was supposed to fill out? And what if your new friends want to come over and your mom serves them snacks? (Peanut butter sandwich, anyone?) And then there's the bake sale, when your teacher thinks…


Book cover of Kid's Guide to Life with Food Allergies

Andrea Pyros Why did I love this book?

There are times when having food allergies causes you to feel different. Left out. Why wouldn’t it? Your friends are happily eating pizza, cookies, and PB&J sandwiches and you can’t. So when you hear about other kids with food allergies living their best life, it can make you feel less alone. Kai is himself a food-allergic kid, and he wrote this book for children and their families to help them understand their allergies a little better and start the process of taking care of their condition. A good companion to other tools you might give a child with food allergies. 

By Kai Brown,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kid's Guide to Life with Food Allergies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Kid's Guide to Life with Food Allergies is for kids and parents alike. It discusses some of the challenges living with food allergies from a kid's perspective. Providing ample educational information on how to navigate life with food allergies, this book helps kids and parents realized they're not alone in their challenges and mistakes. Kids can understand why their bodies are freaking out, and better equip themselves to deal with social situations as well. We truly believe this book will spread awareness and education and hopefully keep people safer that deal with food allergies.


Book cover of The Divvies Bakery Cookbook: No Nuts. No Eggs. No Dairy. Just Delicious!

Andrea Pyros Why did I love this book?

As a food allergy parent, I bought a lot of cookbooks so I could make safe meals and treats for my allergic child, and The Divvies Bakery Cookbook was one of our family’s favorites, even for the non-allergic members of the household. The recipes are delicious, the photos are gorgeous, and Sandler, the parent of a child with multiple food allergies, makes it easy and fun to duplicate all sorts of beloved desserts without nuts, eggs, or dairy. You may also find the simple recipes that use common household substitutions are fun ones to make together. 

By Lori Sandler,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Divvies Bakery Cookbook as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE DIVVIES BAKERY COOKBOOK is an opportunity for the millions of people who are dealing with serious food allergies to put the sweet back in their kitchens. With an assortment of delicious recipes, free of the four major food allergens – peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and eggs (all vegan!), Lori Sandler offers sweet treats that everyone can enjoy and share ANY time: at birthday parties, snack time, bake sales, holidays, picnics, dessert time, and just because. What ingredients are left out have been replaced by double dollops of the good and the gooey – like chocolate, oatmeal, and molasses, –…


Explore my book 😀

My Year of Epic Rock

By Andrea Pyros,

Book cover of My Year of Epic Rock

What is my book about?

A funny, relatable tale about friendship, first crushes, and...anaphylactic shock? When Nina's BFF ditches her on the first day of 7th grade, Nina is banished to the peanut-free table where she forms a band with the other allergic kids called The EpiPens. A rollicking debut from journalist Andrea Pyros, whose spot-on tween voice rings with authenticity.

Book cover of The Princess and the Peanut Allergy
Book cover of Daniel Has an Allergy
Book cover of Peanut

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Book cover of Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

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Why am I passionate about this?

As a trauma therapist and dedicated researcher, I love uncovering valuable insights within lesser-known books. There are hidden gems, free from the pressure of commercial success, crafted by authors deeply committed to research, understanding, and the art of writing itself. Their dedication resonates with me, as I believe in the profound value of information and the power of critical thinking. Through my own book, Traumatization and Its Aftermath, I aim to emphasize that psychological concepts often lose their depth in translation and my mission is spreading awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of trauma and its intricate facets. With that idea in mind, I chose these five titles. 

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The book integrates the latest findings in brain science, child development, psycho-social context, theory, and clinical experiences to make the case that trauma is much more than a cluster of symptoms to be tamed, but instead best understood as development gone off course, away from growth and towards (only) survival.

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Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders

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Interested in allergy, comics, and dessert?

Allergy 14 books
Comics 124 books
Dessert 23 books