When the COVID-19 crisis was in its infancy, publishers and individuals acted pretty quickly to put out ebooks about the virus or to help children understand and cope with the changes it brought to their lives. Now that it’s been over half a year that we’ve been living this way, though, physical books have started to make their way to the marketplace, including a handful of fiction. I’m curious to see if kids and teens will be interested in these books at all, and how long that interest will last if/when the crisis passes.

 

Good Morning Zoom by Lindsay Rechler (October 6)

Good Morning Zoom takes the reader on a lyrical journey through our “new normal.” From “Zoom school,” to watching doctors and nurses on TV, to building pillow forts and talking to loved ones from a distance, this poignant book reminds us that there are still things to enjoy and be excited about in these unprecedented times.

 

The Big Hug by Megan Walker (April 21, 2021)

On opposite sides of a quiet street lived two friends. From morning to evening, they played. ‘‘You two are stuck together like glue!’’ their parents and teachers laughed. So it was a shock when, one day, they had to stop and go inside. Between them now was only space. Suddenly, outside was scary and felt very large. Their parents were full of whispers and frowns and the worry inside felt heavy. Where can you put friendship when friends are apart? Slowly, they learned. They found that, across the street and through windows, they could give each other a hug.  They discovered that a smile is a hug. A wave is a hug. And funny faces, a phone call, a song. They discovered that when you’re apart a friendship doesn’t leave.  With time and effort it will grow and grow, until it is big, bigger than all fears.

Inspired by real-world events, The Big Hug is a story of love’s resilience.

 

Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super Adventure by Ernie Kwiat

Come along on Elmo’s first day off to school as he gets ready to be a mask hero!

Today is a very exciting day–it’s Elmo is heading off to school, and he wants to be a School Superhero! Join Elmo as he gets ready like a hero and learns about wearing masks and hand washing. It’s going to be a SUPER day!

With the help of Elmo and his mommy, this all new story from world-renowned education brand Sesame Workshop will help children combat school anxiety and understand new experiences like wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing. School Superhero reminds readers that it’s super to help everyone stay healthy!

 

Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw Their Hope for the Future

everything these rainbows represent: caring for one another, and our hopes for the future. In this collection of eighteen scenes, readers will lick an ice cream cone, swim in the ocean, cuddle close with cousins, and celebrate a birthday with a party full of friends and family. Each spread has a hidden rainbow for kids to find!

An introduction by R. J. Palacio, New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, reminds us that rainbows have always been symbols of hope, and that as fleeting as a rainbow may seem, we can always look for the next one–in the sky, on the sidewalk, and in a window.

 

While We Can’t Hug by Eoin McLaughlin

Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends.
They wanted to give each other a great, big hug.
But they weren’t allowed to touch.

“Don’t worry,” said Owl. “There are lots of ways to show someone you love them.”

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.

A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

 

 

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham (January 5, 2021)

From Caldecott honoree LeUyen Pham, Outside, Inside is a moving picture book celebrating essential workers and the community coming together to face the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed.

Everybody who was outside . . .

. . . went inside.

Outside, it was quieter, wilder, and different. Inside, we laughed, we cried, and we grew.

We remembered to protect the ones we love and love the ones who protect us.

While the world changed outside, we became stronger on the inside and believed that someday soon spring would come again.

 

Always Together at Christmas by Sara Sargent (November 3)

Help children discover the joy of Christmas 2020 with this timely picture book that affirms the special magic of the holidays even if we’re physically separated from our loved ones!

Christmas will always mean love.
Even if love looks a little different this year.

As families and communities come together–and stay apart–in creative ways this holiday season, bring comfort and joy to children with this story about a Christmas like no other.

Always Together at Christmas highlights different family traditions and the ways they’re changing in 2020: from Santa’s elves practicing social distancing to opening presents via Zoom on Christmas morning. And it even includes ideas for new quarantine-appropriate Christmas traditions!

 

Windows by Patrick Guest (January 19, 2021)

Inspired by the author’s experience as a medical worker forced to isolate from his family, Windows is the heartfelt story of how we can all feel together even when we are far apart. Told through the voices–and windows–of children from around the world, this story’s comforting message and bright illustrations bring hope into your home even as our world changes outside. When you look out your window, don’t forget that we’re all looking out–together.

 

 

Don’t Stand So Close to Me by Eric Walters

Thirteen-year-old Quinn and her friends can’t believe their luck when spring break is extended an extra two weeks—even if it’s because of some virus. But when the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic becomes apparent, everyone, not just the students, has to learn to adjust to their new reality. Quinn’s father is an ER doctor and has to self-isolate to protect his family from the virus. Isaac’s mother is the chief of police and now has to enforce new physical-distancing bylaws.

Reese can’t visit her grandmother in her care home anymore. And their entire school has moved to online classes. Sacrifices have to be made to keep everyone safe, but there’s more to life than rules and scary news reports. In an effort to find some good in all this uncertainty, Quinn comes up with an idea that she hopes will bring the entire community together.

 

Together, Apart (October 20)

A collection of original contemporary love stories set during life in lockdown by some of today’s most popular YA authors.

Erin Craig “delivers” on a story about a new girl in town and the cute pizza delivery boy, Auriane Desombre captures our hearts with teens communicating through window signs, and Bill Konigsberg takes us along on daily walks with every step bringing us closer to love. There’s flirting and romance from Rachael Lippincott, a tale of a determined girl with a mask-making business from Erin Hahn, and a music-inspired love connection from Sajni Patel. Brittney Morris turns enemies to lovers with the help of a balcony herb garden, Jennifer Yen writes an unconventional romance that starts outside a hospital, and Natasha Preston’s teens discover each other–and their love story–in a storybook oak tree.

Romantic, realistic, sweet and uplifting, TOGETHER, APART is a collection of finding love in unexpected places during an unprecedented time . . . each with the one thing we all want: a guaranteed happy ending.