The Peanut-Free Cafe by Gloria Koster

Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.32 p., Whitman, 2006. When a fussy eater comes into contact with a serious food allergy, problems can result. Simon will only eat four foods: peanut butter - his favorite - bagels, green grapes, and purple lollipops. He brings peanut butter on a bagel to school for lunch every day. Many of his friends eat peanut butter frequently, too. Grant, who is new to Simon's school, has a severe peanut allergy. Simon likes Grant very much, and finds that they have a lot in common. He feels terrible knowing that his favorite food could make someone sick, but also worries that peanuts will be prohibited at school. The principal establishes a peanut-free table, but Grant is alone there. Simon suggests making it a more fun place - which attracts a lot of students, but not Simon. He isn't ready to give up his peanut butter sandwiches. When the Peanut-Free Cafe shows his favorite movies, it becomes very difficult for him to stay away. He's so distressed that he loses his appetite. So the next morning, he asks his mother for a lunch that isn't peanut butter - "anything at all." All she can find is chili - but this is enough to let Simon eat lunch with his friends. As the story ends, Simon now eats five foods, and enjoys peanut butter on the weekends. An afterword by a pediatrician explains peanut allergies to adults. With its colorful, energetic illustrations, this story shows children that it's both possible and desirable for even a fussy eater to adjust to another person's food allergy, and offers reassurance that they need not give up the foods they love in order to do this. Ages 4-7