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Dealing with a pandemic is hard on everyone, but kids don’t always have the words to explain how they feel or the understanding to make sense of what’s going on. That might leave them worried or confused, especially when so many things in life have changed so quickly. These picture books to help kids cope with COVID-19 are perfect for adding to your home library right now so young kids can better cope with Coronavirus.
20 picture books to help kids cope with COVID-19
The books on this list are a combination of education on germs and handwashing and help to ease worry and anxiety. There’s even a few that are specifically made to help explain COVID-19 to kids! Choose something that’s appropriate for your child’s age; there are options for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged kids here.
Why Wash Your Hands?
Kids don’t like washing their hands even when there isn’t a pandemic going on. This book helps to explain why they need to wash their hands in general, which can easily be tied into explaining how it helps keep them safer from COVID-19.
Breathe Like a Bear
This cute book is a collection of mindfulness exercises that are made specifically for kids. Although it’s not specifically COVID-19 related, adding some mindfulness to your child’s day can help to ease anxiety and promote calm.
Germs are Ick
What are germs, exactly? Well, for starters, they’re gross. This book will help show kids how to stay healthy by keeping the germs away.
Don’t Lick This Book
This is a popular favorite and for a good reason. It’s an interactive children’s book that helps teach kids about germ transmission that’s written by a microbiologist. It helps explain how microscopic organisms (like viruses) exist on everyday objects.
Wash Your hands
This leveled reader is great for kids who need to practice their reading at home. At the same time, you can teach them the value of proper handwashing, which they’ll hopefully carry on when they return to school.
Germs Are Not For Sharing
This board book is an excellent introduction to germs for toddlers and preschoolers. Young kids are being taught to share, but there’s one thing they shouldn’t pass on to friends: germs.
The Invisible String
This book is amazing to help explain emotional ties to young children and is popularly used by counselors. It’s also one of the best picture books to help kids cope with COVID-19 because it can reassure kids who are missing extended family during social distancing.
Sherm the Germ
Written by a doctor, this book teaches young kids the basics of what it means to get sick from germs. It also covers the healing process, which is a great way to reassure kids that usually we get better when we get sick (so they shouldn’t be too scared.)
Handwashing Activity Handbook
Most kids don’t wash their hands properly. That’s probably why they’re always getting everyone sick! This activity book will help teach older kids proper handwashing skills with facts and real information.
How Hand Washing Can Save the World
You’d think this picture book was written specifically to help kids cope with COVID-19, but it’s actually a couple of years old. Either way, the topic is on point for teaching kids the importance of proper hand hygiene to keep everyone safe.
The Color Monster
Right now, young kids are going through a range of feelings that they can’t adequately explain. This book will help young kids identify their emotions in an easy to understand way so that you can discuss them together.
Germs Make Me Sick!
Understanding how germs get into their bodies is a touching concept for kids. This book helps to break that down and educate kids on the science behind it in an age-appropriate way. It’s also designed for independent reading so you can use it as part of your homeschooling, too.
I Can Handle It!
Anxiety is a big one for kids right now. This book is full of mantras that kids can say to help remind themselves that yes, they can handle what’s going on in their lives. It’s all about positive self-talk!
Wash, Wash, Wash!
This book is excellent for babies and toddlers. With a cute little rhyme, it demonstrates how to wash your hands. Even though kids at this age will still need help, it might at least make toddler handwashing go a little bit more smoothly.
The Day My Kids Stayed Home
This brand new picture book was just released to help kids cope with COVID-19. Things are scarier when we don’t understand them, and this book helps bring information to kids through an age-appropriate story and information for parents.
A Little SPOT of Anxiety
Anxiety starts off as a small worry then grows and grows. This book helps show kids that when those little fears start to grow, they can shrink them back down to little SPOTS and find ways to cope. Perfect for right now when kids are coping with a lot of frightening stuff happening in their lives.
A Germ’s Journey
Want to help kids understand how germs are transmitted? This book follows a germ’s journey as it moves from one person to the next.
What’s a Quarantine?
Kids hear all kinds of words that they don’t really understand right now. A lot of times, they don’t really know how to ask questions, and when they do, we struggle to find the right answers. This book explains what’s happening and helps kids deal with their feeling surrounding everything being closed.
What Are Germs?
This lift the flap book adds some interactive fun to teaching kids about germs. It also answers questions about what germs are and how they spread.
Coronavirus: A Book For Children
With input from medical professionals, this book was created specifically to help kids cope with Coronavirus. It explains what’s going on in an age-appropriate way that’s also specific to our current situation. The best part? It’s actually free to download and read.
Hopefully, these picture books to help kids cope with COVID-19 will work to ease your child’s worries and explain what’s happening in the world. Plenty of them is eBooks, too, which is excellent when you want something to read right away. Stay safe!
