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About the Book
About the Book
Oral Immunotherapy, or "OIT", is a treatment for food allergies that involves retraining the immune system to tolerate food allergens. OIT is also known as oral food allergen desensitization. This desensitization of the immune system is accomplished by exposing the patient to gradually increasing doses of the food allergen over an extended period.
Originally provided exclusively in research facilities, this cutting-edge therapy is becoming more widely available throughout the world, thanks to the dedication of allergists and families of patients with food allergy.
This book is intended to help caregivers explain OIT to children using relatable characters and imagery. As you read, please scan the included QR codes with your mobile device for access to the discussion guide.
All profits from the sale of this book will benefit food allergy research and education. Thank you for your support!
About the Authors and Illustrator
About the Authors and Illustrator
Sakina Shikari Bajowala
Sakina Shikari Bajowala
Sakina Bajowala is a board-certified adult and pediatric allergist and immunologist with a passion for patient education and advocacy. In her private allergy practice, she helps her young patients overcome food allergies through precision-focused sublingual and oral immunotherapy (SLIT and OIT). She lives in Illinois with her husband and two children, and enjoys world travel, vocal performance, and working in her garden. Visit SakinaBajowala.com
Suzy Brauer
Suzy Brauer
Suzy Brauer practiced law for a number of years and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and four children. Two of their children have tree nut allergies and recently graduated OIT. The Brauers are grateful to Manoj Warrier, M.D., their friend and allergist, who introduced and walked them through OIT step-by-step. Suzy was inspired by her mom to write a children's book with all profits going to charity.
Noémie Gionet Landry
Noémie Gionet Landry
Noémie Gionet Landry grew up in a small coastal town of New-Brunswick, Canada, surrounded by the ocean. Growing up, she was telling everyone she wanted to become either a doctor, or a children’s book illustrator. Midway through med school, she decided she would do both. She now shares her time between the hospital (where she works as a Rheumatologist) and her home studio, where she sketches, draws and paints surrounded by her wife, son, two tiny Chihuahua and two cats. She works both digitally and traditionally, creating engaging illustration, usually with a funny twist!
Buy the book
Buy the book
You can purchase Zippy: A Story about Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for Food Allergies as a paperback picture book or as an electronic book in Kindle format on Amazon.com. Please note that all profits from your purchase will be donated to food allergy charities.
Discussion Guide
Discussion Guide
A unique feature of Zippy: A Story about Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for Food Allergies is the inclusion of QR codes on its pages that link to additional material for parents and guardians. The discussion guide will include more detailed information about the topics being introduced in the picture book and provide guidance on how to initiate open conversations with children about the process of oral immunotherapy. QR codes can be scanned using the camera on your mobile device.
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