Lana is a jolly girl with rosy cheeks and a wide smile. Almost overnight, things change in Lana’s life as she finds herself in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools and parks are unexpectedly closed and Lana is unable to play with her friends or visit with her grandma in person. People are urged to stay home to fight the invisible virus, but not everybody can do that. Doctors, scientists, and grocery store clerks all keep working to make sure things run smoothly. However, Lana has no choice but to remain isolated and wait out the virus. She makes good use of her time by learning new things and enjoying the outdoors, all while social distancing, wearing a mask, and keeping her hands washed. The story wraps up with news of a helpful vaccine and the promise of a return to normalcy.
People are sure to remember the COVID-19 virus and all its devastation for years to come. Lana and the Coronavirus is a tiny little book designed to be read to kids, walking them through the steps of our complicated times. The brevity gives the feeling of a colorful brochure available in a doctor’s office, meant to be both informative and entertaining. The characters are quirky, little more than stick figures really, but they certainly convey the purpose of the story. Uncle Pat includes hypnotic rhyming text, a nice touch to help a sterile topic feel lively and playful. Though this belated tale may not stay relevant forever, Lana and the Coronavirus is a simple to understand story that helps the youngest readers cope and even flourish during a difficult time in their young lives.
