No Cupcakes for Jason is the delightful children’s story of five-year old Jason, who loves life, loves playing, and loves the idea of starting Kindergarten. But Jason must follow a strict gluten-free, casein-free diet, which is no small feat for such a little boy. The story tells of how he cannot tolerate the treats that other kids can have, such as pizza, ice cream, and cupcakes, and how this often makes him feel very sad. But Jason finds that there are alternatives to these foods, and that he can have safe pizza, safe cupcakes and cookies, and continue to feel well and stay healthy.
A Parents’ Guide and School Guide are also included with this book. The Parents’ Guide goes into much more detail about why Jason is on this strict gluten-free, casein-free diet. It also explains how parents of children with food sensitivities can cope with the many dietary restrictions. The School Guide highlights many of the problems of following a GFCF diet within the confines of a school. Gluten is also found in many non-food products, such as glue, paints and stickers. The guide offers practical suggestions for school personnel to help keep children who are on special diets healthy and safe.
Writing No Cupcakes for Jason has been a real family project. Co-author Judith Crane has spent the better part of the last forty years in the field of education. Early on she was an elementary school teacher, and later she worked as a school social worker. She has also worked as a substitute teacher, a tutor and a special ed para-educator before retiring three years ago. She is an avid reader and spends part of every week babysitting and baking for her three grandsons. She lives in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Judith’s daughter, Stephanie Harlan, is co-author. Stephanie is a social worker and director of a non-profit resource center, and she volunteers much of her time to helping parents of special needs children. She is the mother of five-year-old Justin and wife of Kevin, who is the illustrator of this book. Kevin also works in the field of education and is an avid chess player. The Harlans make their home in Berkley, Michigan.