Evann Oleshansky was 5 years old when a cross-contamination incident on the playground at West Maple Elementary changed how she thought about food allergies.

Seventeen years later, the Birmingham native has turned that experience into "The Disappearing Dot," a self-published children's book that reframes allergies as a superpower.

Oleshansky, 22 and a recent University of Michigan graduate, told the Birmingham Eagle that she first drafted the story at age 5 and submitted it to her school's PTO Reflections program.

"One of the main reasons I first wrote it was because I didn't see myself in a lot of the books I read," Oleshansky said. "So I thought writing this book would allow me to paint this new narrative that isn't as publicized out there."

The book follows Bree, a character who deals with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and sesame. Aimed at children ages 4 to 8, the story walks young readers through staying calm, following a safety plan and speaking up about their needs. When Oleshansky revisited the manuscript to publish it, she added the idea that Bree sees her allergies as a superpower rather than a limitation.

Oleshansky is now partnering with Brilliant Detroit, a Detroit-based nonprofit focused on early childhood literacy that received state grant funding for 10 program sites in January 2026. She is scheduled to appear at a Health Night at Brilliant Detroit Central, 803 Hazelwood St. in Detroit, though a specific date has not been announced. The health nights are open only to families within the hub's community.

Tarsha Gale, executive director of Brilliant Detroit, said Oleshansky's age makes her relatable to the children the organization serves. Many of those kids already navigate allergies or food sensitivities in school, Gale said, and a kid-friendly resource fills a gap.

Oleshansky is also working to translate the book into seven languages. Northwestern University's Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, which identified her as a former scholar, highlighted the book in a November 2025 social media post, calling it a resource that helps kids "feel seen, soothed, and a little less alone."

"The Disappearing Dot" is available on Amazon in paperback and ebook.

Coming up

Residents interested in the Brilliant Detroit Health Night can contact the organization for scheduling details. "The Disappearing Dot" is available for purchase now on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats for families, classrooms and school libraries.