A little book about red, itchy, dry, sore skin....Eczema explained for little readers..YAY!

 On a recent visit to the op shop, I took a peek at the children's books as I often do to see if there was anything worth while.

I was very surprised when I noticed this small book with Eczema in the title!!!

After getting over the shock of finding this type of book in a op shop of all places, plus reading the price at 50 cents, I had a quick flick and claimed it :)

It's not very often you see educational books for children on subjects such as Eczema!!!

 At flipping over the book to the back cover I was happy to see that this book was one of a series published about different medical conditions, educating children about health, illness and the role of the Doctor.

The book are written by a Melbourne Doctor, many of his patients were children at the time the books were published.
He has three children of his own and felt the need to educate children about their health and how to keep safe and happy.
The Doctor Toby books aim to make a visit to the Doctor less worrying for the child.

I am very thankful that this little book made it's way to our local op shop, I'm hoping the previous owners used it and had success with it helping their child/ren with the hard times of eczema.

The book deals with all the emotions, embarrassment, social awkwardness and pain that comes with eczema from a child's point of view. More importantly it gives reassurance, positive thoughts, hope, confidence and power to the affected child through the story that unfolds.

The book follows the journey of a young girl (Kim) who didn't want to attend swimming lessons and wear bathers because she was embarrassed about her skin.
Kim's Mum explains that she had had eczema when she was a baby and it might be a good time to go back and see the Doctor about what they could do to help her skin.
After a visit to the Doctor, queries about foods that might affect Kim's skin, ointments, bath oil, creams and a few weeks Kim's skin improves.
By the end of school term Kim is beginning to swim very well and is confident about who she is.

I like the fact that the book mentions that "lots of people have eczema" (making the child feel not so isolated and alone), "Eczema is not something that a doctor can just fix up right away" (not giving false hope) and that the book ends with "her skin looks very clear now. Just occasionally she uses some milder ointment if her eczema gets a little itchy again" (leaving the child knowing that Eczema doesn't have a quick fix but can be managed and make for a much happier life).

I'm hoping that my Munchkins like this book as much as me and find hope in it's pages.

I'll leave you with some of the illustrations from the book...

 

 

 

If anyone has any good children's books about Eczema please share the details :)

I heart opp shopping!!!

Okay so I have confessed! I love thrift/opp/antique/vintage shops....so many treasures to find if you find some good shops and have the patience to sift through the racks.

There is always many a bargain to be found and I usually have the nack to do just that :)

Don't get me wrong I don't buy stained,thinning, faded clothes....and nor do I look at the underwear, nightwear and oh so wrong parts of the opp shop world...I only buy the good ones and in return save huge amounts of money in the process and come out with really awesome quality stuff. So good, especially when kids grow out of clothes so damn quick.

Note: always always wash before use!

I went to one opp shop yesterday with the kids and ventured out again today when Andy got home to go to another and I found some gems!!

Here are our treasures from yesterdays shopping trip-

not a very great photo but....green 3/4 skirt for mummy ($5.00),green shirt with poka dots for mummy originally from crossroads ($5.00), Pink top for mummy with purple flowers originally from cotton on ($5.00), cute light green shirt for Thalia with embroidery ($3.00), brown shirt with car design for Declan ($4.00), Pink pants for Thalia with flower embroidery ($2.00), orange pumpkin patch pants for Thalia ($3.00), Pink and white floral summer dress for Thalia from Target ($3.00) and white pillow case with floral embroidery (50 cents).

Total of 9 items coming to $30.50!!!! mummy does a happy dance :)

My fave item would have to be Thalia's dress pictured below
Here is Thalia wearing it after washing it


Below is a close up of the embroidery on the 50 cent pillow case...I won't be using it as a pillow case but hope to make something out of it,not sure what yet.

Now for today's shopping bargains...

The large patterned fabric underneath the clothes is a double quilt (cotton) and only cost me $9.00. I have big plans for it, will be chopping it up and using bits and pieces for crafty goodness :D..such a find!!!

Found a lovely light green polo shirt with car design on front for Declan for $4.00, denim dress for Thalia with lady bugs for $3.50, another denim dress with flowers on it and frilly denim bits for $4.50 and a brand new (tag still on) blue shirt from the little miss shop retailed at $39.95 and I got it for $9.95..YAY

another great day coming out at a total of $35.45 :)

I think the quilt warrants it's own photo so here is a closer look

love it, love it, love it!!!....and don't be forgetting that as it's a quilt cover I have the underside of the quilt to play with too....arhhh my heads just bursting with ideas.

So you know you want to...go find your local opp shop and start hunting for your own gems and feel good about you purse and feel trendy at the same time :)