new childrens book on COVID19

Our Bodies Stay Home, Our Imaginations Run Free 

by Lora L. Hyler
A Coronavirus COVID-19 Story for Children
Children’s book, 50 pages
Published by: HenschelHAUS Publishing, June 15, 2020
Reviewed by: Kathleen Fletemeyer
$5.99 Ebook
$8.99 Print
Paperback; 978159598-775-4

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About the Book:

Our Bodies Stay Home, Our Imaginations Run Free helps children ages 6-10+ navigate their scary new world due to the coronavirus. Seven-year-old Maya is struggling with her feelings as she misses her classmates and teacher, her friends, her grandparents, and visits to her favorite places. And even worse, her 8th birthday is coming up during quarantine. How can she possibly have a party? With her family’s help, Maya understands she needs to do her part to help her family and community. 

Practicing proper handwashing, wearing a mask, and social distancing is needed. She finds joy in making masks, watching nature and creative play from afar. Maya is amazed when she has the best 8th birthday party ever.

Kate Fletemeyer’s Review

Lora Hyler packs a public health wallop into this short, sweet book. She meshes her background as a news reporter with her skill in writing children’s adventure books to produce this timely tale of a family coping with today’s real-life adventure—COVID-19.

Seven-year-old Maya washes her hands extra-long, singing the Happy Birthday song not twice, but three times, in hopes it will make the coronavirus go away sooner so life can get back to normal. With her eighth birthday around the corner, she worries what kind of party she’ll have since everyone needs to stay at home. 

Parents will recognize their own challenges as the Thomas family eats ice cream with grandparents via video call, walks through their unusually quiet neighborhood, and stretches their imagination to put on a birthday party for Maya in these days of social distancing.

The entirely credible interactions of Maya and her older brother, Bryan, bring to life the disruption of virtual schooling, missing friends, and wearing masks. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas model supportive parenting as they respond to their children’s questions about the virus with equal measures of reassurance and age-appropriate medical information. The inclusive set of characters from school and neighborhood is an added reminder that we are all in this together. 

Our Bodies Stay Home, Our Imaginations Run Free never minimizes children’s bumpy emotions, nor their need to understand a changed world. The unchanging values of family and caring for one another underpin this story without becoming sentimental. For parents seeking a young-reader book that provides a can-do attitude when new phrases like “flatten the curve” fill the airwaves, they need look no further. 

About the Author, Lora Hyler:

My sense of adventure began when I discovered the Pippi Longstocking books by Astrid Lindgren and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Who doesn’t want to win a golden ticket and spend the rest of their life running a chocolate factory? My adventure-writing often began with real life travel adventures to children museums and distant lands.

I carried my love of reading and writing into a radio news career as a reporter for NPR affiliate, WUWM and ABC affiliate, WISN, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I also worked for a media and an energy company managing writing, editing and strategic communications. In 2001, I started my public relations and marketing company, Hyler Communications, and worked with companies in many industries. Among them: Northwestern Mutual and Marquette University. I also worked in television, as a live guest commentator for two years on Today’s TMJ4 television station.

I’ve written hundreds of articles, several screenplays, short stories, and a novel. Now, I’m excited to write children books. I joined the 22,000 member international organization, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and have a mutually supportive relationship with my fellow authors. The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes is the first in a planned three-part series.

My screenplays have not yet become movies, but I’ve had a lot of fun so far on the journey. I’ve met Hollywood producers and attended the Emmy awards!

About the Reviewer: Kathleen Fletemeyer managed outreach programs in healthcare for more than a dozen years. Her poetry appears in Midwest Review and the Creative Wisconsin Literary Journal. She is currently at work on her first novel. When the COVID-19 crisis passes, she looks forward to traveling again with her husband.