"Arlo - The Gluten-Free Duck"

A Heartwarming Story About Food Sensitivities and Finding Alternatives

Arlo is a duck with a special challenge—he has a gluten sensitivity. After a bad experience with a slice of bread, Arlo goes on a journey of self-discovery to understand why his body reacts to certain foods. With the love and support of his family, Arlo learns to manage his sensitivity by making healthy choices that keep him feeling great.

This heartwarming tale is perfect for children dealing with food sensitivities and their families. Arlo - The Gluten-Free Duck helps children understand their bodies better, teaches empathy, and provides hope that even with food challenges, anyone can live a happy and fulfilling life. A great educational resource for parents and caregivers!

Written for children ages 4-8, Arlo The Gluten Free Duck is an engaging picture book that helps young readers understand celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and food allergies in a fun and relatable way. Whether your child has food sensitivities or knows someone who does, this uplifting story fosters empathy, self-awareness, and confidence in making smart nutritional choices.

To purchase this book or learn more...

Click Here!

Book Cover Design & Illustration, 2025

"Arlo - The Gluten-Free Duck" was a Semi-Finalist for North Street Book Prize in 2026. The following excerpt includes feedback from “Winning Writers” Judge Ewa Stachyra:

“Arlo - The Gluten-Free Duck gave me much to enjoy. Along with the premise, which succeeds in introducing young readers to food sensitivities through an approachable and heartwarming story, one of my favorite parts was the impeccable quality of the illustrations. The pictures, gentle-looking and soft in their colors, added warmth and emotional clarity to the book, guiding the young reader's attention by anchoring each scene with clear, readable emotional signals, and helping kids understand Arlo's reactions to food, uncertainty, and reassurance. Some of the best visual moments for me were the ducks swimming in the pond on page 6 and the picnic setup on page 13 [both pictured below]. I also have to add that, as authors, you show a strong understanding of the picture book form, including how much text to include on each page and how to calibrate vocabulary for the intended age group. These factors carried the book to the top 3% of entries.”