Mitchell Itches (Kristin Kelly, illus Amelina Jones, EK Books)

With one in five children living with eczema, Mitchell Itches will be a valuable resource for those looking to better understand and manage this common condition. Written by nurse and preschool teacher Kristin Kelly and illustrated by Amelina Jones, the book explores Mitchell’s struggle to stop itching and could spark discussions around bullying, resilience and empathy for young people with eczema. Mitchell is just like the other kids, except he was born with a skin condition. As much as he tries to do the right things, like putting cream on his skin every day and not having hot baths, sometimes he just can’t stop itching. His parents and doctor do everything they can to help, but simple things like playing soccer or sitting too close to the heater can cause uncomfortable flare-ups. Unfortunately, he also experiences some bullying from classmates who don’t seem to understand. Soon, Mitchell finds things that help, turning his focus to something creative and proving to his bullies that his eczema doesn’t define him. At the end of the book, a list of helpful eczema tips ensures Mitchell Itches will resonate with those who have eczema, while helping educate their friends and family to support them.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, bookseller, author, and the vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews