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A delightful picture book that reduces the stigma around a common skin complaint in easy-to-understand terms
Caroline’s Itch: A Story About Eczema, in which the protagonist uses her struggle with eczema as an opportunity to inform her peers, thus bridging the gap and helping her to develop closer friendships with her classmates. My hope is to raise more awareness of eczema, and to educate readers so that people with eczema feel less alienated and more empowered.
Having suffered for with the symptoms of eczema for many years, I found myself drawn to Victoria Yap-Chung's children's book Caroline's Itch: A Story About Eczema (hereafter Caroline's Itch), illustrated by Bianca Silva. Eczema, a common condition that causes skin to become itchy, dry and cracked, is not something to routinely feature in picture books, so I was curious on Yap-Chung's approach this topic.
Caroline's Itch is a beautifully illustrated book and brings to life the story of Caroline, a child who has to wrap up extra carefully each day to prevent her skin from breaking out into painful red rashes (and the embarrassment that comes with the pain). One day, on a school trip to the local swimming pool, Caroline has a painful breakout, much to the confusion of her classmates who mistakenly liken Caroline's eczema to a contagious disease. After the experience, Caroline sets out on a mission to educate her peers on her condition and remove the stigma that comes with it.
I liked how Silva's imagery and Yap-Chung's wording married perfectly to avoid demonising eczema as hideous or life-limiting; any child reading this book can point at Caroline going through her morning routine or her descriptions of breakouts and find it instantly relatable. The illustrative work is of an incredibly high standard and the copy is simple to understand; the pronunciation breakdown 'eczema' was a nice touch for the younger reader target audience.
Word flow worked well for the most past, however in the last few pages (as Caroline starts explaining her condition in more detail) the density of the copy would benefit from line edit or a review of their copy placement; for some younger readers there is too much to absorb in a physically small space.
Caroline's Itch is a charming picture book that goes a long way to make young children feel accepted in their own skin.
AEB Reviews
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I've been writing since 2014, showcasing the best hidden gems in publishing on my website.
Synopsis
Caroline’s Itch: A Story About Eczema, in which the protagonist uses her struggle with eczema as an opportunity to inform her peers, thus bridging the gap and helping her to develop closer friendships with her classmates. My hope is to raise more awareness of eczema, and to educate readers so that people with eczema feel less alienated and more empowered.
About the author
Victoria Yap-Chung, author of Caroline's Itch, is a multiracial (Black, Chinese and Jamaican) model, actor and eczema mommy warrior and advocate! She hopes this book raises awareness and educates readers, to bridge the gap and help people with eczema feel less alienated and more empowered. view profile
Published on October 01, 2022
Published by LYON READS LLC
0-1000 words
Genre: Children's
Reviewed by
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