Susan Crum

Purple Pox Susan Crum

Helping can be hard! This kid's book features a short poem with friendly illustrations and provides encouragement to keep helping even when it isn't fun. Purple Pox is spreading in a forest village and the community has been asked to take measures to slow the spread until a cure is found. A young unicorn expresses frustration to a friend and is encouraged to make small sacrifices to help the community in times of trouble. From wearing masks to skipping hugs with Grandma to remembering the hard work of medical helpers, this simple rhyming book reminds young children that sometimes we put up with brief discomfort to make things better in the long term - and knowing we helped can feel great! This children's book was written with COVID-19 in mind but does not make specific reference to current events so it may be used to discuss other situations where children may be asked to help or follow safety measures. Purple Pox features gentle watercolour and digital collage illustrations and refrains from using scarier words like "virus" "coronavirus" and "pandemic" in favor of the made up "purple pox" so it can still be read with younger or more sensitive children.