The Girl With No Hair: A Story About Alopecia Areata (Health Press for Kids)

Kelly looks back at her years of learning to live with alopecia areata, a disease which causes hair loss. This light-hearted story follows her from diagnosis as a small child, to coping with the social and emotional implications of her condition, to gaining the understanding and acceptance of her peers and teachers.

Customer Reviews:

About what it's like to live with alopecia

By Midwest Book Review - December 14, 2003

The Girl With No Hair by Elizabeth Murphy-Melas is a flat-spined children's picture book about the common condition of alopecia areata, an autoimmune skin disease in which the body's own defenses attack the hair follicles and cause hair loss. People with alopecia are often healthy in every other respect, but children with the disease are often struck with an emotional burden in a phase of life when developing self-esteem is crucial. Bright color pictures by Alex Hernadix enhance the straightforward, understanding text which teaches young readers about what it's like to live with alopecia, and the joy of having a rewarding life with or without hair.

Very good for older kids....not for kindergarteners....

By lauraprigge - May 28, 2011

After my 4 1/2 year old lost all of her hair to alopecia, I was searching for a book that I could use to educate her pre-school classmates. I found this book - age range was k-4- and I was thrilled. The book is good, positive and informative, but is definitely geared toward second grade up to fifth or sixth grade students. My daughter was a little bit scared by the book and did NOT want it to be read to her class. I believe this is a good book, bur too mature for pre-K to first grade kids.

That being said, I am so happy that there are resources like this available - it's hard to find an educational book on Alopecia!

Best for older kids

By M. Lee "TeacherMomOf2" - February 8, 2010

This is a very informative book about alopecia areata and presents the worst case scenario. My 3 & 4 year olds like it but I feel it may be better suited to kids above 5.