the summer of no outside.: A kids book about changes to everyday life due to Covid-19.

When stay-at-home orders began in the spring of 2020 due to spread of the coronavirus and Covid-19, family life was transformed in our communities and around the world – and most of all – in our homes. It was felt in our psyches and heard in our voices as much as it was experienced as an upheaval to our daily routines and plans for the future. Now that summer and life in general forge on, families are still experiencing changes to everyday life - from school closings and parents working from home (or lost work), to physically distancing ourselves from family & friends, and seeing people wearing masks in public and our favorite places being closed or operating differently than before. Through it all, families remain grateful to learn & grow from each other every day. This book is intended to help children make sense of the fact that they might be able to go to the grocery store with Mom or Dad, but everyone is keeping more distance than before, and some of their favorite activities are not happening, while familiar places are closed. And for parents, to understand that you’re not alone in this, and to offer a way to help to you communicate and grow with your kids at the same time. As these uncertain times continue to unfold in different ways in our communities across the country and around the world, it is hoped that the things we all have in common come through in this book.