As librarians, we mostly believe that almost any problem can be solved—or at least better understood—through reading. The current pandemic is testing that belief (along with lots of others), but we are still searching for and sharing good resources as much as possible.

If you also turn to books to help make sense of the world and you are trying to figure out how to explain the new reality to your kids, consider sharing some of these very recently published online titles with the children in your lives.

They can’t offer all of the answers, but we hope they’ll help you have the hard conversations that are necessary in this strange time.

I Have a Question about…Coronavirus by Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky

Coronavirus: A Book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson & Nia Roberts, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Consultant: Professor Graham MedleyProfessor of Infectious Disease Modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Staying Home by Sally Nicholls and Viviane Schwarz

The Princess in Black and the Case of the Coronavirus by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Learn about the Coronavirus – Coloring Book by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

For even more titles, including some in languages other than English, check out the New York City School Library System’s list.