Why Did the Whole World Stop?: Talking With Kids About COVID-19

Do you find it hard to talk about Covid-19 at a child’s level? This picture book can help.

Children ask a lot of questions. Some are easy to answer, others are tricky, especially when it comes to a social distancing, disrupted schedules, and a viral pandemic. This illustrated book is a tool that can help open conversation about Covid-19, and provide accurate information in a kid friendly format. Bright graphics and simply worded details can help your child grow in understanding of why so many of our normal routines suddenly changed.

Most of the book centers around simple text and pictures, but there are also several pages that outline some of the main definitions, concepts and history of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Children will be interested in looking through this book on their own, but ideally it is meant to be read together, so that parents or caregivers can offer support and encouragement while exploring this new and sometimes confusing topic.

There are also several useful ideas for how children can help those around them, and spend their time well during the general quarantine. It’s important to stay productive, active, and keep a good attitude during any difficulty, to be able to rise to the challenge and learn from it. Reaching out to others through the internet or by phone, helping family around the house, and following the safety guidelines given by governmental authorities are all ways to make a positive impact on the situation.

Often, learning more about something new can reduce stress, and help it be more manageable. This book is designed to aid that process, as it relates to the changes that the Covid-19 outbreak brought to many people, both children and adults, around the world. It presents complex scientific and social concepts at a simpler level, so that families can work through them together.