Product Description
Families of children with food allergies know that this invisible condition requires constant vigilance. The necessity of keeping these children safe cannot be overstated; however, their emotional well-being is equally important. Food is used in almost every type of celebration, and is often a focal point of these events. Even in day-to-day life, food is everywhere. Children who have food allergies may be excluded from many of these activities. Some seem to take it in stride, while others feel varying degrees of sadness, anger, or fear. This book was meant to shed light on the emotional side and to help children cope with these challenges. It also serves as a reminder that even though this condition must be managed on a daily basis, it need not stop them from enjoying a wonderful life and becoming everything they were meant to be. I hope this book will validate the feelings these children may have and encourage them to talk about them. It is also my sincere desire that some of the words and photographs will allow others a glimpse at the way that these children experience the world. Maybe next time, you will be one of the grown-ups who allow an allergic child to be ?one of the gang!?

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 15 reviews)

Good - but only appropriate for pre-school aged children by CF Mom (Detroit, MI, USA)

2 Stars
September 14, 2009
Appropriate for pre-school kids - with large photos occupying 90% of each page and single lines of text below. Nice book reminds children that they can be anything they want to be despite their allergies.

The allergy book we've been looking for by Sarah Hatfield (Pennsylvania, USA)

5 Stars
September 14, 2009
One Of The Gang starts with a brief discussion of how children are different from one another, then moves into a specific discussion of food allergies and the struggles and emotions that go along with them. The book is addressed to children with allergies, but I think other children could learn from it, too. Then--genius. Gina Clowes writes that food allergies won't stop you from being what you want to be, and she includes photos of famous people who have food allergies, such as Jerome Bettis and Dr. Robert Wood. She ends by writing, "You are here for a very special purpose! I wonder what it is." Here is what I think is most important about this book. More than any other allergy book we have read, this book prompted discussions about the emotions that go along with being a child with a food allergy. My daughter talked a lot about the page that says, "You might wish that you didn't have food allergies and that you could eat whatever you wanted." Her favorite photo is one of happy children eating ice pops, with the caption, "When other grown-ups bring treats that are safe for you, it's terrific!" This is the best food allergy book for children we've read--and we've read a LOT.

Perfect for the Classroom by Romina Black (Seattle, WA)

5 Stars
August 27, 2009
Perfect for the Classroom! The pictures of allergic children in various situations: snack time, birthday party, holidays etc, are so real that my daughter and nephew could really relate. More importantly, these pictures opened up the eyes of their teachers so they could really understand what it's like when food allergic kids are not included in these food-centered celebrations. As a nurse and parent of a child with multiple allergies, I'm very aware of the need to reassure children and calm their anxieties. This book does both of these things beautifully! The tone is compassionate and encouraging. My girls love the pictures of the adults with multiple food allergies (television news anchors, Olympic skaters, Miss USA etc) thriving in their lives and careers.

A truly inspirational food allergy children's book by Alisa Marie Fleming

5 Stars
August 27, 2009
Gina Clowes has been a huge inspiration to the food allergy community. Years ago, she reached out by creating Allergy Moms, an amazing online resource and support group for parents of children with food allergies. But she has taken it one step further by creating One of the Gang to help inspire food allergic little ones directly. I was smitten by the layout; pictures of actual food allergic children that perfectly coordinate with the message on each page. It is the first food allergy children's book I have seen that used such a technique and I think this is so much more effective for the kids to be able to relate to the information, understand it, and not feel alone. Beyond the adorable layout, the writing is well thought out and helpful. Many pages directly relate to the feeling of frustation that food allergic children have, rather than trying to sugar coat it. But the book continues on with solutions for enjoying situations and things to be grateful for. It closes with images and captions of successful adults who live with a (or multiple) severe food allergy (including pro sports players!), giving little ones the opportunity to dream big. Though no children's book (or book for that matter) is a one size fits all, this is the best food allergy children's book that I have ever come across and a 'must have' to read with your food allergic children!

Not for kids with multiple allergies! by EE parent (Arizona)

1 Stars
August 20, 2009
Our son has Eosinophilic Esophagitis or multiple food allergies. We have been searching for a good book that is inspirational for our sun and fun to read. The cover of this is adorable and the raving reviews swayed me to purchase this book. I would not recommend this book to anyone whose child has multiple food allergies. They talk about bringing your own special treat and eating your own cookies or cake or treats several times. Since our son is tube fed, this isn't an option for us at all. I felt like food allergies were sort of glossed over. It seemed like this would be more appropriate for a child with a dairy sensitivity or a simple food allergy, where it isn't a major issue. I also thought the book was more like a pamphlet you get at support group meetings with some cute pictures thrown in to make it a book. I am very disappointed and wish I spend my money on something else.

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