A picture book to help your child process their feelings during the social distancing of the pandemic.
What parents are saying…
“(My child) loved the book... he asked about the child in the book feeling sad and finally that opened up a dialogue and he admitted that sometimes he is sad about staying home. Thank you.”
- Parent of 4-year-old
“[My] girls loved the book! Naomi said when she gets worried, she will tell herself, “Not forever but for now” and that it makes her feel better!”
-Parent of an 8-year-old and 5-year-old
“There are so many families needing something like this right now. Well done!!”
Parent of 2.5 and 7-year-old
“So simple, and yet so helpful.”
-Grandfather of three
“I would recommend this book for ages 3 to 100!”
-Parent of a 12-year-old
What the experts are saying…
“In such a confusing and anxious time for many young children and families, this wonderfully accessible book provides opportunity to give voice to many complex feelings.”
-Mike Sherman, Psy.D. - Developmental Psychologist
“This is a pitch-perfect book for preschoolers about the pandemic. Honest but hopeful, it touches on things that are bewildering and scary along with consoling activities that are evergreen, like cuddling and playing tag and looking for bugs. This book gives kids permission to feel all the myriad emotions that the quarantine arouses. And the refrain "not forever but for now" will bring solace to parents and children alike.”
-Susan North, Parent Educator
“This is a beautiful book to read together with your children during this period of social distancing…It walks the line between mourning the things children are missing, the strange things they are speaking and speaking to the simple but profoundly wonderful things that are making up their daily lives now. The refrain is a beautiful mantra for us all. This will be a book to help families now, but will also be incredibly valuable to families when this period of our lives is over because children will need to remember and talk about this time to help them process this experience.”
-Melanie Ladygo, RIE® Associate and parent educator
From the author…
I wrote this book initially for the families in our small preschool community, who had voiced concerns about children’s upsets and questions during this staying at home time.
The response has been overwhelming—sometimes moving me to tears. So I have decided to share it more broadly, to help all the parents and children out there dealing with anxiety and upset during this time of social distancing.
Reading about emotions and concerns with a trusted adult can help children understand that these feelings are normal and okay.
Stories like this one can provide children connected time with their adults, helping them to open up and talk more about their own feelings.
They can give parents a way to connect with their children, and help to create an honest and healthy mindset as they cope with the idea that this is not forever but it is for now.
-Heather Malley, Author
Heather Malley, founding director of Caterpillar Cottage Preschool and fierce advocate of empathy and active listening.
