Adam's Gluten Free Surprise

Book excerpt: Adam's Gluten Free Surpriselooks, feels, and reads like a children's picture book, and will certainly delight any child with celiac when they see their story in print.Adam's Gluten Free Surprise, however,is an educational book in disguise. Any teacher, grandparent, aunt or uncle who reads this children's book will be better informed of the strict requirements of a gluten free diet and the emotional impact their understanding or lack of understanding can have.InAdam's Gluten Free Surprisewe watch Adam as he goes through the first six months of a new school year just after being diagnosed with celiac. Adam faces each special treat day in his classroom with a positive attitude, knowing he can choose from his own box of gluten free treats that his mom supplies. At the same time, his teacher, Mrs. Brown, is learning how to accommodate his needs by reading labels and avoiding cross contamination. Finally, in the end, the entire class learns a bit about celiac and how they can surprise Adam with a class party that is completely gluten free. It is about the acceptance that is required by the child with a special diet and of the understanding required by those who are important parts of his or her life. We live in a world where the word "diet" is synonymous with "cheat a little". It's difficult for many to understand that this is a diet that requires 100% adherence. And with this comes an emotional need to be understood, for whoever the person requiring this strict diet may be, whether one or one hundred years of age.