1. Even Superheroes Get Diabetes and The Princess and the Peanut

Children’s literature is a developmentally appropriate and fun way to educate about illness. Whether sharing with classmates and friends or individual children, we were sent two books that can help youngsters understand their potentially life-threatening health conditions.

The Princess and the Peanut by Sue Ganz-Schmitt is a very well done.  This delightful story is loosely based on the Princess and the Pea, only the pea is a peanut. Referring to several other fairy tales, this book not only informs but entertains children.

Every queen knows that in order to find out if a princess is REAL, one must send the “alleged” princess to bed on a magnificent pile of mattresses, slip in a pea, and see how she sleeps. But when the royal kitchen is fresh out peas, the queen tries a peanut instead. The princess turns out to be as real as her food allergies.

This vibrant and humorous tale inspires, and educates children with allergies, as well as those who live in, and around food sensitive kingdoms. Includes a food allergy guide for adults, and kid-friendly allergy definitions.

Even Superheroes Get Diabetes is also by Ganz-Schmitt. It is not as well done as the princess book, but that may just be my preference for fairy tales over comic books. I did learn a lot about diabetes from the book.

Even Superheroes Get Diabetes focuses on the gift within the illness. It is the story of a boy named Kelvin who loves Superheroes. His childhood days are spent in imaginative play–saving the day. One day, his fantasies are marred by the reality of getting diabetes…the incessant finger pricks, shots, and the constant doctor’s appointments. When a mysterious doctor uncovers that Kelvin has superpowers, the story reveals itself as the genesis of a new kind of superhero. Kelvin is monikered ‘Super K’ and uses his superpowers to help other kids with diabetes. The discovery of Super K’s superpowers is akin to the discovery of one’s inner strength in the face of adversity–in the face of illness. The comic book style illustrations by Micah Chambers-Goldberg beautifully connect children and parents to the world of diabetes. The book includes a kid friendly diagram that explains type 1 diabetes, and definitions that discuss both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

I would like to find a similar book for my son’s heart condition.

Would I buy these books?  Yes, if I had a student or child dealing with these medical issues.

2. Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child

Here’s a scary statistic:

“At some point during childhood, 80 to 90% of all children have a breathing problem.”

There is nothing more frightening than hearing your child gasping for breath during a respiratory illness, let alone suffering from asthma.  My own daughter wheezes at times, which she thinks is just a nervous habit.  I am not convinced, but it does not seem to affect her ability to breath in and breath out.

Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nino Shapiro, MD thoroughly explains breathing from birth to age five.

Take a Deep Breath is a comprehensive, accessible, and indispensible guide for parents, caregivers, teachers, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers on the subject of children s breathing issues. The book provides a thorough review of breathing issues, differentiating the normal and abnormal for all ages, and at all levels of breathing passages. Take a Deep Breath explains all of the puzzling and oftentimes distressing breathing patterns our children have throughout development.

From the uppermost part of the breathing apparatus, the nose, to the lowermost part, the lungs, this book explains which problems are truly worrisome, and which are actually normal stages in a child s growth. Take a Deep Breath will enable the reader to do just that, take a deep breath, and get a better, clearer understanding about what s going on when your children breathe in and out. While pediatricians and other healthcare providers have expertise in all aspects of childhood illness, this book sheds new light on the latest research in pediatric breathing issues, sleep issues, and airway safety. Consisting of age-based sections, with location-based and problem-based chapters for each age group, each chapter also provides a ‘to-do’ list, offering successful preventions and treatments that can easily be done at home.

We all remember suctioning our baby’s nasal passage…a very unpleasant experience for all involved.  Dr. Shapiro’s advice is we may be a little “suction happy”.  Suctioning can put “pressure on delicate nasal tissues, and can actually lead to more swelling and congestion”.  Instead, she recommends more saline.

Would I buy this book? Maybe.  It is a good resource, and Dr. Shapiro does tell you when to worry and when not to worry.  She answers a lot of common questions parents have, yet I think relying on your own pediatrician may be more valuable time and money spent.

3. Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind with Games, Activities and More 

Every parent who has witnessed their child evolve from a newborn to a toddler can confirm their child’s mind is amazing!  Scientists now confirm what good parents have know for a long time:  games, activities, “quality” time with your child nurtures these brains way for than electronic gizmos and edutainment.

The key to social and emotional health is nurturing!

Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind with Games, Activities and More by Jan Faull, MEd, answers the question:  “What can I do to help my child be as happy and smart as possible?”

Drawing on the latest fascinating research in child brain development, noted parenting expert Jan Faull gives parents the essential tools to recognize and encourage their child’s natural development- and have fun with their kids in the process. Simple to use and easy to understand, the techniques in Amazing Minds show parents how to support their children’s capacity for learning. Faull describes chronologically what babies are capable of and the research behind those findings-then provides clear instruction, practical exercises, and fun games to play with babies to enhance their innate learning process. Amazing Minds will change how people view babies-from newborns to toddlers- and foster a new level of nurturing for generations of parents, educators, and caregivers.

The book is broken up into sections on the research, the interpretation, and what parents should do.  I especially like the section on temper tantrums, as this can be a challenge for any parent. Understanding the research and developmental perspective helps parents react with love instead of anger or negative emotions to their children’s tantrums.  Jan writes, “The results of this last study illustrate the sensitivity and adaptability that is called for from parents to help their children learn to deal with life and all its challenges,” and isn’t that really what a temper tantrum is all about?

Would I buy this book?  Probably, considering it is only $6.00 right now!  I love research and child development, and I think that the author gives sound advice all parents could use.  By laying a nurturing foundation at these tender ages, the equally challenging teen years will be a breeze :).

4.
I admit, I have never heard of Pink Papaya, or their parties.  I really don’t understand the consultant/party business model, as it seems restrictive in allowing consumers access to your product.  In fact, when I looked up the product sample we were sent, I needed to contact a consultant for information on the website.  Now, that’s just plain annoying. Pink Papaya is using the month of January to host parties with children in mind.  Partnered with Baby Buggy, the Tinytini line was created.

During January 2012, 2% of Pink Papaya’s January Party revenues will be donated to support Jessica Seinfield’s Baby Buggy organization and anytime someone purchases one of our special, new Tinytini product, developed just for we’ll donate a Tinytini to a family in need. Click Here to purchase a Tinytini. Baby Buggy provides essential clothing and gear to familes in need. Baby Buggy’s product distributions are combined with comprehensive social service assistance, such as job training, financial literacy classes, and parenting support and education. For more infomation on Baby Buggy Click Here to be connected to the Baby Buggy website.

These products are:

• Made in the USA
• Not tested on animals
• Infused with botanical extracts
• Paraben-free
• Contains organic ingredients

The Tinytini kit contains:

1. Tushi Balm
2. Bubbly Bath
3. Baby Butter

Would I buy this product? No.  I think $32 is expensive for the size of the bottles, and it comes in what appears to be a vinyl bag. I would also would hat to have to attend a “party” in order to purchase.  I commend the company for donating to needy families, but I also think 2% is rather meager.