Good morning, welcome to a new review for the children’s book When We Stayed Home by Judith A. Proffer which I received a copy of in exchange for this review.
It’s funny what children notice that adult’s don’t which is what happened with When We Stayed Home which I had sitting on my desk to read. When Charlie handed me the book and said mom are we going to have to start wearing mask again which affected mine and Charlie’s health. I listened to the question I couldn’t figure out why Charlie was asking me when we’ve been everywhere and there aren’t many people with mask on.
I asked Charlie to sit down on the couch with me so we could discuss his concerns. I asked Charlie why he was asking about about mask and he said mom you have a book on your desk and the little boy has on a mask. I looked at Charlie and said I have what. Then Charlie went and handed me my copy of When We Stayed Home.
I let Charlie know that we didn’t have to wear mask again but the Author weas sharing her thoughts with us on Covid and how we all helped by remaining in our homes when it hit. I let Charlie know by doing this he was a superhero as we helped keep others safe. Then we discussed essential workers like his dad and my sister.
Then Charlie and I sat down to read the book and before we opened the first page Charlie let me know he was so glad the little boy had a Dog to keep him company just like we have. I let Charlie know I loved the house in the background and would like to have one just like it. Then Charlie let me know my niece Lily would have had fun picking the flowers for my desk.
I love how the Author reminds us to wash our hands all the time which shouldn’t be just during Covid but everyday all day long. Because you never know what you might touch and end up catching from someone else touching it first. She reminded us to stay 6 feet apart which is a great idea even though Covid isn’t happening as much.
I love all the ways the little boy stayed busy and even admitted he cried as well as adults which let Charlie know it was fine to do if he got scared. I was able to let Charlie know I thanked the LORD multiple times a day my dad wasn’t here to deal with Covid because of his Health I didn’t think he would survive.
Then we discussed all the people we knew who had gotten Covid sometimes not just one time but multiple times. I was even able to share with Charlie that I thought I had it way back before it become a Pandemic. Then I let Charlie know I was so glad the LORD protected Charlie and I through it all even though David did come down with Covid. Thank the LORD it wasn’t as bad as a lot of people and he got better quickly was able to return to work.
Charlie and I discussed how even schools closed down and his friends were homeschooled just like he was. We remembered seeing our neighbors walking there dogs as we were still in our Mobile Home which I miss. Charlie let me know he liked being able to sit outside under our canopy and the neighbors being in the street giving us someone to talk to.
During Covid David would go to the store for us although at times Charlie and I would ride and sit in the car just so we could get out of the house a bit. The only place we actually went into was David’s mom and dads to check on them and help them with things they needed done and yes, sometimes we would wear a mask even though we struggled with breathing when they were one. Did you have this trouble as well?
Can you tell me what you did during Covid to stay sane? Were you one of us who social distanced? Are you still wearing mask? Keeping 6 feet away from others? or has your life gone back to normal? No, matter what you’re doing we can never be too careful, and this could happen again so remember all the things this little boy did which you can share with your family to keep you all safe.
Again, just like the little boy we might not have had everything we wanted or been able to go places we wanted to or even been able to do things we had planned but we had everything we needed. Thanks to the LORD who kept us all safe. If your someone who lost a loved one to Covid I would like to say I am sorry and were praying for you and your family.
About the book:
Direct and readable. The delicious sherbet-colored illustrations depict a soft, idyllic suburban setting and usefully identify the real helpers as global health care providers. An appealing account of the sunnier side of lockdown. – Kirkus Reviews
With whimsical illustrations and relatable prose, When We Stayed Home is a reminder of how young children navigated big feelings and cheered themselves on during the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic. Honoring their role as “super helpers” they made sure to wash their hands, wear masks, social distance, and stay home.
With the family dog as a trusty sidekick, the super-helper in When We Stayed Home builds virus-free forts, decorates toilet paper-shaped cookies, enjoys screen visits and dance parties with family and friends, and relies on resourcefulness, creativity, and imagination to weather the virus storm.
Young children will recognize their own experiences and emotions as they see another child paint endless pictures and draw chalk art, read books and do puzzles, wave “hello” to masked neighbors, play under a bluer-than-usual sky, and feel all the feelings as they miss school, playgrounds, and friends and family while staying in their own houses.
When We Stayed Home was inspired by Judy Proffer’s resilient five year-old nephew, who continued to find moments of comfort and mirth in home, nature, adventures, and activities even while longing for the virus to go far, far away and by co-author and licensed family and marriage therapist Tara Fass’s work with families to maneuver the bumpy road of the pandemic with tools, optimism, and hope.
This gentle book serves as a time capsule for an uncertain time, celebrates the gifts of family, home, imagination and love, and honors the true heroes of Covid.
About the Author
Former publisher of LA Weekly and OC Weekly, Judith A. Proffer was a key player in the alternative newsweekly world for nearly eighteen years. She went on to establish a consulting company then co-founded a chain of community newsweeklies in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. In 2010 she launched Huqua Press, a boutique publishing company. She and her husband, music and media producer Spencer Proffer, formed Padaro Press to combine her passion for words and his passion for music to publish music and media centric titles.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
