Book Review of The Year We Wore Masks
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The Children’s Book Review
The Year We Wore Masks
Written by Kristin James
Illustrated by Lucy Shin
Ages 4-8 | 24 Pages
Publisher: Kristin Gipner | ISBN-13: 979-8506193838
What to Expect: Pandemic, health, family, coping with change
Even without a global pandemic to contend with, change can be frightening for many children. In The Year We Wore Masks, Kristin James helps readers to voice and understand the changes that have taken place during the COVID crisis.
Even the littlest people can’t help but notice that something is different about 2020. People stay at home, groceries and shopping get delivered to the front door, school and work have moved from classrooms and offices to computer screens, and everyone’s smiles are hidden behind masks. But even with all of these sometimes scary changes, there are still things to celebrate. Now we have more time with our families, masks in cheerful colors to wear, and no more boring trips to the grocery store! Most importantly, we know that these changes are the ways we show our love for one another by keeping each other safe. Knowing why everything has changed makes it all a lot less scary!
With its gentle emphasis on the joys and the downsides of lockdown and social distancing, this story helps readers celebrate what they still have—family, love and health. At the same time, the volume reassures readers that they are not alone in being affected by these changes and helps them understand the important reasons the changes are necessary. Together with these powerful messages, Lucy Shin’s delightfully soft, cheerful illustrations are both comforting and inclusive. Young readers can use the story to vocalize and dispel their own pandemic worries, making this book a great springboard for discussions about COVID.
The Year We Wore Masks is a lovely volume that is well worth reading.
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About the Author
Kristin James is a former educator and lifelong learner. She is an avid reader, but a debut writer.
Kristin believes in the power of knowledge, the strength of love, and the wonders of science.
She currently resides in North Alabama with her husband, two children, and a dog. Her family motivated her to write her first book, The Year We Wore Masks. Her son, who was born during the Pandemic, and her daughter, who asked lots of questions, inspired the story. Her mother, who is an author as well, gave her the confidence to try and her husband gave her the push to follow through.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored, non-biased review of The Year We Wore Masks by Kristin James. Learn more about getting a book review …
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