Health & Safety
If you’ve got little ones, you’re probably battling germs and bandaging up boo boos! The books below encourage safe play, smart choices and healthy hygiene. They can also help you explain what happens when we get sick and teach kids about taking care of others.
I’m SO excited to share my interview with Jedlie on his Reading With You Kids Podcast. We discuss some of the challenges that parents and teachers face in the wake of the Coronavirus. Click here to listen and get tips for talking to your kids about germs, social distancing, and how to answer tough questions. I also share insight into how we can face the challenges of educating our kids at home while schools are closed. You can find out more information about Jedlie and his podcast here. Happy listening, happy reading and stay healthy!
I hope the books I recommend are helpful and that they bring you comfort. Please note that the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Covid-19 Books & Resources
Coronavirus: A Book For Children. It’s a free e-book! Written in a question-and-answer format, it’s a very helpful resource for all families navigating the pandemic. For children 5+
Rainbows in Windows - another free e-book that you can download right to your computer, tablet or smartphone. This book is great for young children, ages 2+.
A Kids Book About Covid-19 - just enter your email address and the the e-book version of this title is free. I love the A Kids Book About series of books because they explain challenging topics in simple and straight forward ways.
Stay Through the Storm - an absolutely beautiful book about the power of friendship. Even in the darkest of times, having a friend by your side can make all the difference. Follow these 2 friends as they weather a bad storm, supporting and loving each other every step of the way. This book is helpful for children navigating the loss of a loved one, illness and of course, the current Corvid-19 pandemic.
Be sure to take a look at this resource guide from the New York State Dept. of Education. There are many more titles here, including books in Spanish, Italian, and Tagalog. There are so many good books here for children of all ages. They’re informative, helpful, and written by authors from all around the world! ALL FREE!
While We Can’t Hug - this book brought a tear to my eye and it’s sure to capture your heart too! Hedgehog and Turtle are the best of friends but they can’t hug. Together they learn to show each other how much they care with waves, silly dances, special notes, blowing kisses, and more. The perfect book for all of our little ones, until we can all hug safely again.
The Great Realization - an absolutely gorgeous book that ALL families and classrooms need right now. This past year has been weird and scary, but so much good has happened too. Author, Tomos Rogers, shares his poem about the pandemic, comparing the before and after of our world, and shining a light on all of the kindness and joy that emerged in its wake. This book gives readers much to think about, including a new perspective of all that we have been through.
The Safe Return - A completely unique and versatile book! Open the book from either side. One side features illustrations of our characters with masks on and the other side without. Although the words are the same, readers will have an entirely different experience as they read each version. Follow along as these friends meet and set off for a safe return to the fun.
Things That Go Away - This is an absolutely beautiful book for children who are navigating difficult challenges of any kind. With simple words and unique illustrations, this book shows readers that “this too shall pass.” With delicate pages of vellum between the pages, Alemagna has found a way to capture the transformative nature of life and all of its challenges.
Paula and the Pandemic - One of the best books about this subject, hands down! Using clear, and straightforward language, Paula’s mom explains what a pandemic is, and why social distancing is important. I love the way author Dorothea Laurence uses the process of planting a sunflower seed as a metaphor for social distancing.
Heroes Wear Masks - Elmo is going back to school after a long time at home. He’s nervous and not sure what to expect. He learns about the importance of wearing a mask, socially distancing himself from his friends, and taking belly breaths when he gets nervous. A perfect story for all young readers who are getting used to the new normal of school during a pandemic.
Rain Before Rainbows - a stunning book about the challenges we face and eventually overcome. This hopeful story is perfect for readers, young and old, reminding us that it’s always darkest before the dawn.
And the People Stayed Home - Author, Kitty O’Meara first penned this poem following the pandemic’s massive shutdown. Despite all of the fear and uncertainty of the time, O’Meara shines a light on all of the wonderful things that emerged, from families spending more time together, to the creativity that blossomed all over the world. I hope that this simple and powerful book will resonate with you, and your little reader, as it did for me.
How Do You Make a Rainbow - A joyful story celebrating love, positivity, and the precious relationship between a child and her grandad. With lyrical, easy-flowing text, and adorably colorful illustrations, this book is sure to brighten any rainy day.
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Health & Wellness
Do Not Lick This Book - this book is a big hit in our house! This hilarious and informative books gives you an up-close look at different kinds of germs and bacteria, as they look under a microscope. This book is the perfect mix of fun and information. Any curious kid or budding scientist will love this one!
Germs Are Not For Sharing - one of my favorites on this topic! It’s clear, straight-forward, and easy to understand. This book is perfect for all ages, from toddlers to elementary age readers. Check out the board book edition, paperback and English/Spanish edition.
Noses Are Not For Picking - another great book in this series, because when it comes to this stuff, we need all the help we can get! This book is part of the “Best Behavior Series,” which I absolutely love and use year after year in my classroom.
Germs Germs Germs - this early reader is perfect for preschoolers and elementary age kids. With rhyming text and funny illustrations, this book shows us where germs come from, and encourages healthy hygiene habits. It’s also available in Spanish!
Germs Make Me Sick - is a good book for preschoolers and elementary age readers. I like this one because it goes into detail about all of the germs that surround us and how they make us sick.
What Are Germs? - a fun and colorful lift-the-flap book that teaches kids all about germs. From what they are to the many places that they live, this book is perfect for answering all of the many questions that kids ask. I love the way this book also provides information about healthy habits.
Wash, Wash, Wash! - this is the perfect book for teaching good hygiene to your toddler or 2-year-old. The simple words can be sung to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” to help remind kids how to wash thoroughly.
Bear Feels Sick - Karma Wilson writes wonderful books that I read in my classroom year after year. Bear wakes up one morning feeling sick. His friends want him to come out to play, but when they discover that he’s sick, they jump into action and take care of him. Engage your child while reading this book by encouraging them to say “and the bear feels sick” with you at the end of every page.
Llama llama Home With Mama - kids love the fun rhymes in the Llama Llama books. Follow little Llama on a sick day. He wakes up feeling yucky and tries to keep busy at home. But what happens when Mama Llama starts to sniffle and sneeze?
How Do You Care For a Very Sick Bear? - this sweet and simple book is perfect for even the youngest child. In this short story, the author gently explains the changes that occur when bear’s best friend gets sick, and how her friendship can help. Author and Leukemia survivor, Vanessa Bayer, conveys the message that no matter what happens, true friends will always be there for each other. This book is particularly helpful for times in which illness separates us.
I Belong - a gorgeous book, full of affirmations about the special places that we hold in our families and friendships. This book is great for toddlers, twos and young preschoolers, because it helps promote their senses of belonging. Books like these are so important because they help children understand that they are safe and loved. It’s important to remember that the emotional health of our children is just as important, and impacts, their physical health.
Surgery on Sunday - Meet Sunday, a brave little girl with a big imagination. Follow Sunday as she prepares for ear surgery. This funny and colorful book is a great read for any child preparing for medical procedures or hospital stay. I love the way this book helps readers learn about scary experiences, such as getting an IV and anesthesia, with love and humor.
Mermaid Dreams - Meriam is a spirited mermaid who hates going to bed. After a long day of adventures under the sea, she’s got seashells in her hair, a fish in her ear and a crab behind her neck. Meriam tells her mom all about the fun she had that day and simultaneously learns the importance of good hygiene.
Hooray For Doctors - Using simple and clear text, and photos of diverse healthcare professionals this book is perfect for explaining basic concepts to our youngest readers. It even explains what masks are and why they’re helpful.
Leo Gets A Checkup - Here’s another sweet book from the Lola and Leo series of books. Leo is all grown up now and ready for a checkup with his doctor. Follow Leo as he gets his exam, and a shot too. This title is perfect for toddlers and 2’s, and is a perfect book to read before your next visit to the pediatrician.
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes - a fun and colorful book to help you spark some healthy habits for your mind and body, including healthy eating, thorough hand washing, exercising, and spreading kindness.
Ollie Outside: Screen-Free Fun - After a long, cold, winter of social distancing, this book was exactly what we needed in our house! Ollie wants to build a fort outside. He’s brimming with excitement and full of ideas about how to make it the best fort ever. He asks his family to play with him, but they’re all too busy on their devices. Will they ever turn their screens off?
I’m a Super Secret Germ Fighter - This book is EXACTLY what I’ve been needing. My son touches everything, no matter where we go, and I’m always finding him on the floor in germy public places (hello grocery store, doctor’s office). I’ll do just about anything to teach him about ways that he can keep himself from getting sick and this book made it SO easy. He loved the idea of being a superhero who fights germs and I love that it helped make health and hygiene concepts clearer. This book is a must-have for all families and classroms!
Powwow Day - River arrives at Powwow Day with her family with many mixed feelings. She’s finally feeling well enough to attend but aches to join in the dancing. As she recovers from her illness, she’s relieved to emerge from isolation but being unable to join the celebration is painful. As she becomes wrapped in the sounds of the drums and the rich Ojibwe traditions, she finds hope and comfort. She promises herself that she will indeed dance again.
The Secret Life of Boo Boos - My kids LOVED this book! Like most kids, they tend to need a lot of TLC for the smallest of boo-boos, so learning about how they happen, and what goes on inside of our bodies when they do, was a great experience. My daughter was so interested to learn why bruises turn different colors, and what each of those colors means. This book is perfect for teaching kids about their bodies, and how we can best take care of them.
Helping Hospital: A Community Helpers Book - For young children, hospitals can seem like scary places. That’s why I love this book. Follow along as people visit the Helping Hospital, meet all of the healthcare professionals, and learn all about the different jobs that people in the hospital have. Full of diverse characters and simple explanations, this book is great for kids who may be nervous about hospital visits, and curious readers who just love lots of details.
Safety
A Little Book About Safety - Having conversations about safety with our kids can be a challenge, but this book makes it so much easier. This book covers everything from body boundaries to staying within sight of parents and, even knowing the full name and contact info of your “safe adult.”
Please Play Safe! - This book will have your little one laughing! Full of silly opposites, this book asks readers to decide between safe and unsafe behaviors, including safe play on the playground, wearing a helmet, safety in the sandbox and much more.
Best Behavior - I LOVE this book and wish I had found it sooner. Best Behavior is an adorable book that encourages healthy and safe habits of all kinds. From playing safely on the playground, to brushing your teeth, and being kind to others, this book covers it all. I love the rhyming words and adorable animal characters!
“Check back again soon for more books!”
Quick Tips:
Preview the books before reading with your child. This will help you decide if the length and wording are appropriate for him/her. It'll also help prepare you for questions and topics that may come up as you read.
Find a time when you and your child can read together without distractions. Find a cozy place to sit together, a couch, a bed or even a rug on the floor works.
As you read, take your time. Pause before turning the pages, let your child take in the words and the pictures. This allows time for thinking. Some questions may be answered and new ones may come up. All of this will help your child process the experience.
As you read, listen carefully to the questions that come up. You'll gain insight into how your child is thinking and feeling based on what they say.
It’s ok if you don’t have all of the answers. Here are some ideas for when you don’t know what to say:
“That’s a good question.”
“I’m not sure.”
“I was wondering the same thing.”
“Can we talk about this again soon?”
“Maybe we’ll find out the answer together?”
“Would you like to read more books like this?”
Make connections between the book and your child’s experiences. For example, you can ask: “do you remember the last time that you were sick?” or “what helped you feel better?”
Acknowledge any feelings that your child expresses. Let them know that it’s ok to feel nervous, scared, tired, cranky or anything else. This helps them know that you’re here to support them. It also encourages healthy emotional development,
Re-read these books as often as you like!
Here are the guidelines for hand-washing from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
