On this page you will find some links to useful books, stories and resources for children about COVID-19. These include:
A menu of social stories that might be useful for your child. Click on the images to open the stories.
Sylvie Bloom ‘Corona, Corona, Corona’ - Animated short video by Writing for Tiny
Coronavirus - A book for children about COVID-19 by Axel Scheffler
Dave the Dog - by Nurse Dotty
Everybody Worries by Dave Burgerman
HSE Resources for those with additional needs
‘While we can’t hug’ - Video about physical distancing
Information about Screen Free Learning Activities for Home - Click here
Social Stories
Social Stories are short descriptions of a particular situation, event or activity, which include specific information about what to expect in that situation and why. Here is an example of how to write a social story from Middletown Center for Autism.
Click on the pictures below to see examples of different social stories…
Carol Gray’s Social Stories
Carol Gray is a Consultant to Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Autism. She is best known for the development of Social Stories, an evidence-based practice used worldwide with people with autism of all ages.
Carol began writing stories for her students to share information with them that they seemed to be missing, information that so many of us take for granted. Many of the stories resulted in immediate and marked improvement in the way her students managed daily events and interactions.
Sylvie Bloom ‘Corona, Corona, Corona’
Coronavirus - A book for children about COVID-19
Axel Scheffler, the illustrator of 'The Gruffalo' has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. Published by Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company, the book has had expert input from medical professionals, two head teachers and a child psychologist.
You can download a copy of the book or watch a video of it by clicking HERE.
Dave the Dog
Nurse Dotty create books for children to help with anxiety around illness and trips to hospital. They have now written a book for children about coronavirus that aims to give information without fear.
With everything that is going on at the moment; big changes to children’s routines and lots of stories on the news it can be a really scary time for children.
This book aims to open up the conversation about coronavirus and some of the things they might be hearing about it and provide truthful information in a reassuring and child friendly manner.
If you want to learn more about Nurse Dotty books please click HERE. I have shared the book below or click on the button to download a PDF version.
Everybody Worries by Jon Burgerman
Jon Burgerman is an artist who is famous for ‘doodle’ art styles. He decided to write a book about stress and worry for children because “It’s important to talk openly about what is going on and that the feelings we’re experience are being felt by a lot of people, and that by sharing and caring for each other we can try and make it a little better.”
In this bright and friendly picture book, children learn that it’s okay to worry about coronavirus.
Everybody Worries offers your child the reassuring message that this crisis will pass, we are there for them, and we will get through this together.
HSE Resources - COVID-19
The HSE website has been updated to include a section on ‘Supporting someone with special needs during the coronavirus pandemic’. This advice can hopefully help carers and families to look after someone with special needs at this time. The wepage includes some of the following information
How to explain the Coronavirus
How to explain Coronavirus Testing
Numbers of useful helplines
Advice for at-risk groups
Resources for children with Autism
Important Advice for Carers
While we Can’t Hug
Here is a little video that was shared with me of a new book that will be released in August. It is a gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun. Hedgehog and Tortoise want to give each other a great big hug, but they're not allowed to touch. So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved.
From the creators of the internationally adored The Hug, Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar, I hope you enjoy this story: While We Can't Hug.