Asthma

Children's Literature - Denise Daley

Asthma is an illness that makes it difficult for a person to breathe. The airways in the lungs become narrow and swollen, and it is difficult for air to flow through them. This is the simple explanation that is provided for the young children who read this book. Asthma affects many children and adults, and this book is ideal for providing honest information in a format that is easy to understand. There are many colorful photographs and simple diagrams that help to explain the illness and its effects. Readers can even perform an easy experiment with a glass of water and two different sized straws to gain a better understanding of how people with asthma feel. Each chapter is only two pages long, and these provide information about what causes asthma, what may trigger an asthma attack, and how inhalers help. The final chapter explains that people with asthma can do the same things as everyone else and even lists several famous athletes who have asthma. This informative and easy-to-read book will help children better understand asthma and how those who suffer from it can be helped. It is part of the "How's Your Health?" series. Reviewer: Denise Daley