A free information book that explains the coronavirus to children has been made by independent publisher.
The digital book has been illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler. Aimed at primary school age children – it’s free for anyone to read on screen or to print out.
It’s been Published by the award winning independent children’s publishing company, Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company.
Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.
The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:
• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What’s going to happen next?
Kate Wilson, Managing Director of Nosy Crow, said: “We were very aware that many parents and carers are struggling to explain the current extraordinary situation to children, many of whom are frightened and confused. We thought that the best thing we could do would be to use our skills to produce a free book to explain and, where possible, reassure children.”
Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, said: “I think it is extremely important for children and families to have access to good and reliable information in this unprecedented crisis”
Professor Graham Medley, Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “Helping children understand what is going on is an important step in helping them cope and making them part of the story – this is something that we are all going through, not something being done to them. This book puts children IN the picture rather just watching it happen, and in a way that makes the scary parts easier to cope with.”
To make sure the book is accessible to every child and family, the book is totally free of charge to anyone who wants to read it. However, at the back of the book it is suggested that families make a donation to help our health service if they find the book useful: https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/.
Download a copy of the book here (or, if you have trouble with that link, here)
COVID-19 Coronavirus resources – including Community Classroom – Resources for parents & carers – please see HERE
