Itchy Richard

When your child comes home with that dreaded letter from the school nurse about a lice outbreak, or has lice themselves, this book offers immediate, humorous reassurance. It follows second grader Richard, who is horrified to be the first in his class with "cooties." The story realistically portrays his feelings of isolation and the teasing he endures, but quickly expands as other classmates, and even his teacher, get lice too. The book normalizes the experience, shifting the focus from individual shame to a shared, solvable problem. Through teamwork and a good dose of humor, it teaches children that lice are a nuisance, not a moral failing, and that friends support each other through itchy situations. It’s a perfect antidote to the panic and stigma that often accompany a lice outbreak.