Build Your Library: COVID-19 Resources

Parents need all kinds of resources to raise their children. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an entirely new set of challenges for parents and kids alike. Disruption of schooling and work, isolation from friends and family, and necessary hygiene and social distancing measures have changed the way we live, play, gather, and travel.

Magination Press created its Build Your Library Collection to provide resources to families as their children head back to school. These books address the specific challenges posed by the pandemic.

If you need to help a young child understand the pandemic, read A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus by Rebecca Growe MSW, LCSW, and Julia Martin Burch PhD. This free picture book explains the virus, how it spreads, and what kids can do to help keep themselves and others safe. It also has a Note to Parents and Caregivers offering strategies to help children navigate anxiety they may feel about the pandemic. Download your free print copy, here, and here’s the Kindle version. It’s also available in Spanish and in Portuguese. Here’s the Spanish Kindle version, too. The Portuguese Kindle version is on the way.

Hear A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus read aloud.

If your tween or teen is feeling the strain of distance learning, separation from friends and family, and cancellation of sports, arts, and other activities, Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic by Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, can help. This activity book has journal prompts and activities designed to help older kids manage stress and anxiety, cultivate gratitude and creativity, and express their emotions. Download a free print copy here.  Here’s the Kindle version. A Spanish version is in the works.

Hear Unstuck! 10 Things to Do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic read aloud.

If you or your child are working on building resilience, The Hugging Tree by Jill Neimark, is a wonderful choice. From March to May 2020, people around the world shared this beautiful picture book about a little tree growing in very harsh conditions because of its message of kindness, compassion, and resilience. Read Ms. Neimark’s article about the internet read-aloud phenomenon.

Hear The Hugging Tree read aloud. 

Your child and your family may be experiencing new stresses and anxieties as a result of the pandemic. Magination Press has titles about stress, anxiety, and mindfulness that can help. Since mid-March, Magination Press Family has posted frequent articles about how to support your child in this challenging time, featuring appropriate books.

• Managing Sibling Conflict
• Fostering Resilience
• Fostering Mindfulness
• Writing and Doodling to Express Emotions
• Exploring Feelings with Mindfulness
• Building Life Skills During the Pandemic
• Explore Emotions and Relationships with The Find Out Files
• Increase Optimistic Thinking at Home or at School with Evidence-based Curriculum
• COVID-19 Self-Care: Get Moving
• Tips to Help Your Socially Anxious Child Stay Engaged During COVID-19
• Kids Feeling Stressed? Help Them Learn Self-Care Skills

To help you build your family library, through October 31, 2020, get 25% off your purchase and free shipping when you order books directly from Magination Press through apa.org. Purchase books here and use code FF25 at checkout.

Sharing books and talking with your children can help your family manage the impact of the pandemic. If your child is having persistent anxiety, sadness, irritability, or having other symptoms of stress (e.g., change of behaviors; sleep or appetite changes), it’s time to consider seeking professional help to help your child to navigate through this difficult time. Even though we are necessarily physically distant, help is still available. Here’s a link to help you locate a psychologist.