Brianna Breathes Easy: A Story About Asthma by Virginia Kroll

Illustrated by Jayoung Cho.32 p., Whitman, 2005. When you're first diagnosed with asthma, it can be scary and confusing, but you can learn how to keep in under control. As this story begins, Brianna is excited to have the lead role in her school play. But she also begins to have coughing spasms, and her Mama and older sister think she may be getting sick. Since she feels fine otherwise, she keeps going to school and rehearsing for the play. During the dress rehearsal, she has a severe coughing spasm, and paramedics take her to the hospital. There, she is diagnosed with asthma. Her doctor explains what asthsma is, and shows her pictures of the respiratory system. She tells Brianna what commonly triggers asthma attacks, and explains that as long as she takes her medicine when needed and checks her peak flow meter, she can do whatever she wants to do.When Brianna goes back to school, she talks about her asthma with two classmates who have the same diagnosis. Brianna does a great job as the lead in the play, and her family celebrates together, with special support from Grampy. With its colorful illustrations, this story will help children understand what asthma is, and supports their optimism about controlling it. Ages 5-8