Outside, Inside

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=can-pre-covid-books-still-speak-to-kids-childre....

A beautiful, timely picture book about what happened as a global pandemic spread in the spring of 2020. Pham's art is evocative and soft-edged, yet full of detail; she includes scenes of inside and outside, as well as one double-page-spread of many small scenes in hospitals. In the text, she plays with the multiple meanings of "inside" and "outside" (e.g. "We were all changing a tiny bit inside" and "On the outside we are all different. But on the inside, we are all the same"). And why did everyone suddenly stop what they were doing and go inside? "There were lots of reasons. But mostly because everyone knew it was the right thing to do."

A final show more double-page spread folds out to twice its width. Back matter includes an author's note, and a dedication to first responders and essential workers.

A gentle, necessary treatment of a sad but universal event. show less

In this beautiful book, Pham writes about the COVID-19 pandemic and how many people went into quarantine while essential workers faced the virus head on. The prose is lovely, the illustrations have so much to peruse, and the sense of community is emphasized throughout, with a focus on doing the right thing for others.

However, the book does end with a big spread about spring coming and everyone going outside, complete with folks hugging. Usually I am a big proponent of having optimistic endings for young readers to give them hope, but this just felt falsely cheerful as the pandemic is still ongoing and it's not any safer to be out and about.

Otherwise, this is a good book for talking to children about what is happening in the world right show more now and trying to give them some context for it. show less

What a beautiful way to remember COVID19. I adore Leuyen Pham. She is one of my favorite picture book illustrators. Her characters are always just so homey
This book isn't preachy about masks or vaccines. It highlights how COVID hit around the world. Leuyen reminds readers of how, initially, COVID brought people together.....before we made it stupid and political.

I need to add this book to my collection if for no other reason than to be a "historical account" of my living years ;)

Without mentioning the pandemic, shutdowns, quarantines, vaccines, or masks by name, Pham conveys the unusual time we are in with gentleness and empathy. The story's structure will enable families and students to relate to it and discuss the pandemic from their own unique perspectives and experiences. As of this writing, spring has yet to come but Pham's prose gives everyone a sense of hope and how they wish it to be.

A wonderful book regarding the emotions of a child during the pandemic lock down. Much credit is rightfully given to those who could not stay insdie, and who helped those in peril, such as doctors and nurses!Worth the read!!

This picture book is the best title to discuss the pandemic I have seen. I would recommend this to parents and teachers who would want to talk about the early days of the pandemic with their children. Pham based her pictures on real people and real events and sees this book as a recording of the daily acts of kindness made by everyday people during the pandemic.

This book is relevant to everyone! It highlights the drastic "flip of a switch" that the Covid pandemic caused in the world. In hindsight, I feel this book showcases the caring and supportive stage of the pandemic when everyone was coming together to cheer up others and spread love.