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As a recently retired elementary teacher, I felt an urgency to help young readers, as well as others, find hope during the difficult time we shared as the pandemic changed so many aspects of life. I used filtered photography to illustrate the story, which help readers relate to the ways we found to adapt to our unusual new normal. I am a wife, mother and grandma who struggled right alongside everyone else in the world to find hope during this pandemic. Writing has been a lifelong dream pursuit and 2020 certainly provided the time and inspiration for me to chase that dream. This book, as well as a follow-up companion titled, Because We Didn’t Give Up-A Story of Faith and a fictional adventure chapter book can be found on Amazon.
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
Because We Stayed Home by Paula Shue Winfrey talks about how much the world has changed since last March when people started testing positive for Covid-19. The whole world seemed to change overnight and turn into something that was both confusing and scary. It was nice at first not to go to school, but as the months went on, it was lonely and a lot of kids missed their friends and the other things they would do, like go places for fun. Even though this whole situation was rough, people found a new way to communicate with friends, family, and coworkers by using things like Zoom and FaceTime. Things like shopping proved a risk and many people were afraid to venture out. A lot of people also began hoarding common household items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Events like concerts, hall games, and large events were canceled but entertainment was soon brought to people's homes, which helped them realize that they can laugh and feel normal again even if it was a new normal. Finally, the book discusses essential workers who couldn’t stay home because their jobs helped take care of people, like those who work at the hospital and medical field and firefighters. Staying at home made it easier for those heroes by not spreading the virus.
I thought Because We Stayed Home: A Story of Hope by Paula Shue Winfrey was a great book that discussed coronavirus and how it changed the way the world now functions in a way that is easy for a young child to comprehend. It’s a great book that will show the young reader that they aren’t alone, and everyone in the world probably feels the same way that they do about the pandemic. If we all do our part, we can be heroes too. It takes all of us to stop Covid-19. I also liked how real photos were used instead of drawings or illustrations. It’s definitely a book I would recommend to my friends with school-aged children.
