The Princess and the Peanut Allergy

Picture book about a girl named Regina and her birthday party she is going to have. She makes a cake with chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts and can't wait to eat it at her birthday party. Her best friend Paula is excited about the party too, but she finds out the cake has peanuts in it and Paula has a peanut allergy. Regina and Paula fight over the cake but eventually reach a compromise. Good book to read to make students aware of allergies, peanut allergies are very relevant and important in elementary schools.

This is a good example of REALISTIC FICTION because it is convincingly true and prompts readers to empathize with other people. It addresses the issue of peanut allergies, showing the point of view of both the girl with the allergy and her friend.

Age Appropriateness: primary
Media: watercolor (?)

This story started as a young girl named, Regina was having a birthday party. She wanted a perfect princess party with a pink castle cake and princess games. Her best friend Paula loved everything to do with princesses like Regina did. She talked about it everyday at school to her girl friends. Regina started discussing the big castle cake with bricks and flags and princess decorations. Paula then was concerned about her food allergy to peanuts. She hadn't told anyone before about her allergies and was concerned about Regina's perfect princess cake that had peanut butter and peanuts in it. Regina argued with Paula that her party wouldn't be perfect without that exact cake. They wouldn't talk for the rest of the day Regina said she would show more ruin her princess party without that cake. Finally Regina came to a compromise because it wouldn't be a perfect princess party without her best friend there. She ordered the castle cake without nuts and it was a delightful party. show less

Review: This book is a great example of realistic fiction because it deals with real life experiences and examples. Regina must find a solution when she learns her best friend has peanut allergy and cannot eat Regina's fabulous planned birthday cake.
Theme: This story has an implicit theme of friendship and adjustment. Regina changed her birthday cake plans to accomodate to her friend Paula who was allergic to peanuts, and taught us a good lesson about making small changes that help friends out.
Level: Primary, Intermediate

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