Contact: aeh5mg@virginia.edu
Ashley is the Project Lead and University of Virginia’s Education & Social Science Research Librarian. Ashley specializes in children’s literature and is currently researching the COVID-19 pandemic and social emotional learning represented in picture books.
Mary served as the project's Social Emotional Learning Cataloger and Digital Support. She graduated from UVA in May 2021. She is currently an MPH Candidate at the Yale School of Public Health, with a focus on Digital Health, Psychosocial Epidemiology & Public Health Modeling.
Return to School
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the globe closed and pivoted to emergency online teaching. As the pandemic dragged on and vaccines became more widely available, schools began to reopen. Some families chose to return to in-person learning, others pursued hybrid options, and some chose to stick with online learning or homeschool their children. The return to school was met with a combination of fear and anticipation due to new variants and regulations. Now three years into the pandemic, as new variants continue to emerge and COVID cases climb, schools wrestle with public health guidelines and pressure from the government on how they should operate. The books in this section aim to ease worries, address anxiety, and encourage following public health safety measures with the return to school. For many children and families, this is an incredibly stressful time. The books in this section aim to serve as resources for counselors, educators, caregivers, social workers, and librarians. We are in the process of mapping these titles to the CASEL Framework for applying evidence-based SEL strategies.
School in the Time of the Coronavirus by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
School is starting and the coronavirus is still in the community. Maria, an elementary school student, is worried about what it will be like to go back to school after staying at home for so long. As the first day of school approaches, Maria and her mom discuss the parts of school that will be the same and also new rules that were created to keep kids safe. They also talk about how Maria is feeling, what she is thinking, and what she can do during this time of transition. School in the Time of the Coronavirus is a must-read children's book for all elementary school kids, their parents and teachers preparing for the return to school in the fall of 2020. Written by Emily Mazzulla, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, expert in the field of trauma and resilience, and mother of three, this beautifully illustrated book gives children, parents and teachers a relatable format to talk about the transition back to school. A useful reference for building resilience in children is provided at the end of the story to support adults with this transition too
Billie Goes Back to School by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
Billie Goes Back to School is the second book in Bubble Books' Billie series, which teaches young children about social distancing in a fun, light-hearted way. After the wildly successful release of Billie and the Brilliant Bubble, which encouraged children to maintain safe space through the use of an imaginary bubble, Tara wanted to continue the dialogue with children, families, and teachers about the importance of social distancing. Billie Goes Back to School continues to teach young children about social distancing without instilling fear or negativity. Billie and her friends exchange stories about their first day of school. Each friend describes a different educational experience-in-person schooling, remote learning, and home schooling.
Our Class Is a Family by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
Perfect for easing anxiety when returning to school, with its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.
School is Different This Year and That's Okay by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
This back-to-school season is shaping up to be unlike any before. As kids, parents, teachers, and schools approach the start of a new school year, there are still many questions about exactly what school might look like in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many questions around school reopening, many parents don't know how to prepare their kids for the upcoming year. Follow Danny and Carla in This Beautifully Illustrated Book about Starting School in this Pandemic.
Kelly Goes Back to School by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
Families need updated, evidence-based information to explain phased, cautious reopening with their children. With school reopening looming on the horizon, children and parents will have questions about how to play and learn safely and what the new normal will look like. Kelly Goes Back to School: More Science on Coronavirus will help families navigate the transition to reunite with family and reenter school as safely as possible during a pandemic. Key concepts including antibody testing, phased reopening, contact tracing, and preparing for possible disease resurgence. Kelly's physician mom will prepare and guide Kelly through each new opportunity and challenge. As each of Kelly's questions are answered with accessible explanation and beautiful illustration, families and children will learn and discuss how to approach the coming months bolstered by evidence, reassurance, and information.
Heroes Wear Masks by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
Young children will join Elmo as he gets ready like a hero and learns about wearing masks and washing hands. With the help of Elmo and his mommy, this all new story from world-renowned education brand Sesame Workshop will help children calm school anxiety and understand new and different routines they may experience during the pandemic, such as: anxiety about leaving home, washing hands frequently, social distancing, not being able to give hugs or high-fives to friends, staggered schedules, why some friends may not be at school, temperature checks, and new classroom seating arrangements. It's the perfect pandemic book with tools to discuss important topics as kids go back to school, preschool, daycare, or out in any public setting where they'd need a face mask to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
What Happens When School Starts Again by Access at UVA OR search for a copy at your local library
Returning to school is different because of COVID-19, and for kids it can be confusing too. Join Mia and her stuffed giraffe Stuart as they talk about the uncertainties of returning to school, including distance learning, hybrid models, social distancing, and how to be okay - even if things change again.
Cassie's Big Change by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
Cassie has been learning on a laptop at home due to COVIID-19 but once again, things are changing. Vaccines are available and infection rates are declining, allowing schools to reopen. Going back into the school building means that Cassie, her family, and friends must readjust once more; while some things are the same, other things have permanently changed. In this second installment of the Cassie's Big Change series, Cassie and her crew transition from learning on the computer at home to once again sharing the educational experience in the classroom.
Everything's Different: A Child’s View of Covid-19 in the Classroom by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
Everything is different at Willow’s school now that Covid-19 has affected how things are done in the classroom. Parents aren’t allowed past the gate. Masks must be worn inside and can only be taken off when eating lunch or snack. Everyone must use hand sanitizer or wash their hands after using any materials inside or outside! Even some of Willow’s friends are not coming to school and are learning at home. Will Willow learn how to adjust to all the changes?
Back to School with All New Rules: Coping with COVID by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
The girls are excited to go back to school, but this year will be different! Since the COVID-19 pandemic there are a lot of new rules at school including handwashing, wearing a face mask and social distancing. With a little encouragement from their parents, watch how the girls except all these changes, keep a positive attitude and make the transition back to school a success! This is a light-hearted picture book that addresses all the changes the kids will face going back to school. This book is great tool for parents and teachers to introduce the new school environment and start a conversation with their kids. This book emphasizes the importance of accepting all the changes with a positive attitude to make the transition back to school an easy one.
Hope and I Are Coming Back to School by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
This is the diary of a little girl name Luna. She, like many others, experienced fear, sadness, anxiety, and so many other emotions during the pandemic. Watching the rise in numbers, global shut down, and everyone's concern was very hard. Her teacher gave her a word to hold on to, "HOPE!" It was this hope that allowed Luna and the world to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kaiden Sure Missed His Friends by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
Sometimes change can be difficult for children to process. During the 2020-2021 school year, many children across the world were unexpectedly forced to change the way they attended school. Some participated in virtual learning from home while others were in classrooms with out a handful of other students. Regardless of the arrangement, most children were impacted and affected. Kaiden's story is a heart-warming depiction of one child's journey with virtual learning and the anxiety of transitioning back into the classroom.
Virtual Learning Dragon by ON ORDER, COMING SOON
A fun and important book for educators and parents to help children succeed in virtual learning in a fun and playful way! Having a pet dragon is really fun and you can teach him to do lots of cool things... But what happens if one day schools are closed due to the virus pandemic, and your dragon has to do virtual / distance learning? What if virtual learning is too hard for him? What if he gets bored easily and cannot stay engaged? What if he doesn't want to do his virtual classwork? What if he's easily distracted, or if he goes to the kitchen too often? What if he doesn't want to follow any of the new virtual class rules, and much more? What should you do?- A Unique Start From 6 Feet Apart: A Book About Returning to the Classroom During a PandemicThis children's picture book addresses some of the changes that students will see around school during the school year. This picture book has rhymes and includes illustrations to help discuss and show some of the unique changes in procedures. The book specifically addresses masks, hand washing, hand sanitizer, social distancing, gloves, and personal supplies.At the end of the book you will find a website with additional resources and follow-up activities that can be completed by kids after reading the book.
- Be a Hero byON ORDER, COMING SOON
School changed a lot last year. And, who knows, things could just keep on changing. This book's sweet young narrator takes readers through some of the changes brought about by Covid-19, and helps them with strategies to face their anxieties, stay positive, and accept that there might be more changes to come. Teachers, parents and caregivers can read Be a Hero to kids who are back in school to remind them that their communities are full of people working to keep everyone safe and healthy. But, this illustrated picture book, Be a Hero, goes further, as the story helps young children understand they are not just following rules made by someone else. Instead, they each have a role in keeping their communities safe - an empowering message meant to help young readers see themselves as part of the solution. Illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen, award-winning children's book illustrators.
