ITCH, SNIFFLE AND SNEEZE: All About Asthma, Hay Fever and Other Allergies

This breezier-looking spin-off from the Silversteins' Allergies (1977) aims at a younger readership, with assurances that ""there really is no reason to be embarrassed"" and that ""allergies aren't catching."" Describing allergy as ""a sort of mistake by the body"" and sketching the role of antibodies, antigens (labeled in the illustrations and listed in the glossary but not mentioned in the text--hence never made quite clear), histamine, and mast cells, they review different possible reactions (skin rash, sneezing, asthma) and major culprits (ragweed, dust, drugs, poison ivy). Tests and remedies are described for those who might have to undergo them; such children will find their immediate questions addressed here.