Celi The Gluten Free Dough Buddy

A fun and engaging children's book that helps kids understand celiac disease, gluten-free living, and the importance of feeling confident in who they are.

Join Celi and the Safe Snack Squad on an adventure filled with friendship, learning, and encouragement!

understanding me

A cute illustration of a fluffy smiling character wearing a green hoodie with a leaf and stem symbol, set against a pastel-colored background. The cover features the title 'Celi' and the subtitle 'Understanding Me,' with text indicating it is written by Crystal Orennon and illustrated by Cherise McClimens.
A light yellow page with black and underlined text discussing celiac disease, emphasizing that change is okay and encouraging positive attitude towards living with it.
Celi the Gluten-Free Dough Buddy was created to help children feel seen, supported, and included as they begin their gluten-free journey. Through a playful, child-friendly story, Celi helps kids understand what celiac disease means in a way that feels safe, relatable, and empowering.
This book was inspired by real-life experience and the gap many families face after a diagnosis: not enough child-centered resources, and not enough simple tools to help parents explain a complex condition.
Inside, families will find more than a story—they’ll find a starting point for conversation, confidence, and connection.
Created by Crystal Drennon, licensed psychotherapist, mother, and founder of Celi Safe, this book is part of a larger mission to support families navigating celiac disease with education, advocacy, and accessible resources.
Because children deserve to feel safe, confident, and included—and parents deserve resources that make the journey feel clearer, calmer, and less overwhelming.

When a child is diagnosed with celiac disease, everything changes—not just what they eat, but how they understand the world around them.

What’s the Story?

Cute illustration of several animated sheep characters with different facial expressions, some sitting and some standing on fluffy clouds, with a humorous, lighthearted tone.
Cute pink sheep with curly wool, wearing a yellow badge that says 'Small but Fierce,' holding a purple sword, and standing on a patterned pink surface with a light yellow background.
Colorful cartoon playground with smiling fruit characters, including blueberries, an apple, a strawberry, a cupcake, and a slice of cake, along with a swing set, slide, and a sandbox.
Celi The Gluten Free Dough Buddy: Understanding Me
$13.99

Celi the Gluten-Free Dough Buddy: Understanding Me is a heartwarming children's book created to help young readers understand celiac disease in a fun, gentle, and empowering way. This book is ideal for newly diagnosed families, children with celiac disease, classrooms, pediatric offices, and caregivers looking for a supportive and approachable way to explain a complex medical condition.

More than just a story, Celi the Gluten-Free Dough Buddy is part of a larger mission through Celi Safe, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free resources, caregiver guides, educational materials, and support for families navigating celiac disease.

Every child deserves to feel safe, confident, and proud of who they are-and every family deserves access to resources that make the journey easier.

Product Details:

Paperback
11 x 8.5 inches
38 pages
ISBN:979-8-9968945-0-5

A Word by the Author & Founder

My hope is to sprinkle a little more confidence into every child's gluten-free journey and a little more peace of mind into every parent's day. I want every child to feel safe, confident, and proud of who they are, while giving parents practical, easy-to-use resources that make everyday life feel a little less overwhelming. Through Celi Safe, I'm building a place where learning is approachable, support is always within reach, and families can discover helpful tools, creative ideas, and a welcoming community. Above all, I hope to bring education, encouragement, creativity, and a sprinkle of joy to families everywhere, helping kids shine with confidence and parents worry a little less.