Read Evansville to distribute over 700 COVID-19 books schools, families
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Read Evansville is distributing books to ensure students are aware of the effects of COVID-19 as they prepare to return to school.
The 22-page story, "My Hero is You," follows the main character, Sara, as she travels across the world, teaching others the importance of washing their hands, social distancing and staying inside their homes.
And with Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. students returning to in-person instruction on Aug. 19, Read Evansville organizer Lana Burton said the books would serve as a great resource for schools and local families.
Burton, a retired EVSC educator, said the book is designed for parents, guardians and teachers to read aloud to students in hopes they gain a better understanding of COVID-19 as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
"We just want to reassure young people that it's safe and that they're going to have to do their part in trying to get some of the anxiety from both parents and students in a place where they're feeling OK," she said.
The book, written and illustrated by Helen Patuck, was developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The project was supported by the organization and over 1,700 parents, caregivers, teachers and children from 104 countries.
After filling out surveys and submitting feedback, the story was updated to address the various concerns related to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Read Evansville initially sent out links to the book's online version, instructing committee members, parents and volunteers to print out their own copies. But after connecting with Kerseclia Patterson and other community partners, the organization decided to print and distribute over 700 copies.
"We have had 700 printed, and our goal is to have 700 out prior to the start of EVSC," Burton said.
Patterson, the academic outreach coordinator at the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center, helped print the copies.
So far, Read Evansville has passed out books to community members at ECHO Community Healthcare, local daycares, the Dream Center and YWCA.
Burton said the organization plans to place two books in every EVSC school. One in the building's library and another in a counselor's office in case students begin having difficulties adjusting to their new school environment.
"Our goal is as young people are going back to school, we want to make sure they're comfortable and are talking about safety," she said.
As Patterson and others distributed books, she was thrilled to see the "expression of gratitude" on the faces of parents, many who were unsure how to have conversations about the pandemic with their children.
Patterson, a mother of four school-aged children, said the story will help parents generate those discussions and ensure their children know how to protect themselves while in school.
"Remember, we are in this together," she said, "just with a different lens."
Read Evansville's last book giveaway will be at the Latino Collaboration Table's Back to School Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the C.K. Newsome Community Center.