[Sam & Sal] Shelter in Space

I was inspired by the children's stories of Roald Dahl and Barbara Park, author of the Junior B. Jones series that I loved in elementary school. I wanted to create a book that told a story but was also interactive - something that readers could make their own, through drawings, puzzles, and writing. The story that my book tells is about Sam and her older brother, with whom she does not get along all too well. I chose this particular theme because, in these extraordinary times, children are still children, and sibling rivalry is eternal. The book begins with a very anxious Sam sheltering in place. Her older brother has a creative idea to brighten up her day: he wants her to imagine sheltering in space and pretend that she's an astronaut. As a public health professional, I wanted to both include factually correct information about the coronavirus and provide children the resources and tools they need to find more information, if they feel so inclined. For this reason, I included a section on scientific literacy. I also included ideas that children can take and develop to combat the virus in their own way - helping their families and neighbors, staying informed, and staying personally healthy.