6 Covid-centric Books to Reassure Your Little One

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Spotlight on Coronavirus
6 Covid-Centric Books to Reassure Your Little One


With Covid-19 raging across the globe, the publishing industry is not unaffected. Publishing dates have been delayed and conventions have been cancelled. But, authors and illustrators have turned out in force to offer support in myriad ways. Online story times, printable resources, and permission to use copyrighted materials abound. Not only that, but books featuring the pandemic, quarantining, mask-wearing, and social distancing have become quickly available to help children navigate this unfamiliar landscape. We've been contacted about reviewing covid-centric books from a couple of different sources, and we found this collection from Cardinal Media and PIKids appealing. You may have seen a few of these pop up as individual reviews, but I wanted to pull everything together in one spot. Clickable titles take you to our full reviews. Amazon shows that the books will be available on November 10, 2020.

Favorites
Grandpa's 14 Games
Grandpa's 14 Games is a book that can open the door for conversation. Whether it's validating a child's experience, inspiring a change in your own quarantine routine, or facilitating conversation, Grandpa's 14 Games offers something for children and adults alike.
I like A Journey of 600 Inches for its examples of imaginative play and self-reliance. References to the pandemic are second to the focus on unstructured play.

A Close Second
The Empty Bowl is a warm reminder of the good amidst the bad. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling seeing the puppy rescued and the girl gain a new companion, especially while her doctor-parents are separated from her.
Especially appealing for younger children who may not understand the pandemic, this book reflects what many children are experiencing. Levin the Cat will resonate with pet owners and children who may be seeing different caretakers.

A Mixed Reaction
The Mask That Loved to Count
An N95 mask makes a roundabout journey from a pharmacy to a hospital, showing various ways that emergency workers are helping those in need. I'm not particularly fond of anthropomorphized objects, but can see how a first-person narration might be more inviting than third-person. Kindness is emphasized, and a child who is hospitalized recovers happily in the end. 
T's Thoughts:
You should expect excitingness in it. So you expect someone is gonna use the mask, but no one does. That's how it's exciting. And the mask loves to count. It's very great. I liked it.
Mom is Hiding
T and I both enjoy the the little girl's stuffed rabbit, which reflects her own emotions as her mother quarantines at home after a possible exposure at the grocery store. This is not our favorite because it is already a bit out of date and raises questions like, "Why doesn't she get tested?" or "How is it possible to make the mom better?" Current recommendations IRL include getting tested after potential exposure, regardless of symptoms presented, but testing is not mentioned in the book. Also, the girl and her aunt have a plan to help Mom "get better," which isn't quite realistic. This aims at reassuring children, but raised more queries than it laid to rest for us.
T's Thoughts:
I thought it was a pretty good book. I liked the drawings. I like the rabbit. He's pretty cute. 
I didn't like the ending because we didn't even find out what happens next.

Note: We were provided with review copies in exchange for an honest review.

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