There is something very moving and heartfelt in the children’s book written by Susana Basanty titled “Can This Family Survive Quarantine?” Perhaps it’s because each person has been affected somehow by the recent pandemic that changed the world. Perhaps it’s because it narrates the story of a family where almost everyone else belongs. Many of the world’s problems seem so far away, but when it reaches our homes and affects the lives of those we love the most, it’s something that would always leave a vulnerable spot within us.

How do you even begin to tell innocent children what a pandemic is? How do you simplify something that seems to complicate every aspect of our lives? That’s where the book can assist many parents, teachers and guardians in teaching kids the skills they need to stay safe and to survive COVID-19. Through its colorful and wistful illustrations that quickly attract the attention of children, it is able to show various scenarios that depict the kind of life we’re currently living in. It is also able to illustrate various safety measures such as washing one’s hands and wearing masks.

At a time when most of us feel so helpless, what do we tell our children? How do we advise them to live without the normal things they used to enjoy such as playing outdoors and interacting with their friends? Is there some way they can see their new routine as something valuable and worth the adjustments they’re about to make?

This book powerfully explores the role of each person in the family. It gives various examples of activities that one can make to be productive even at home. Where fear can cripple many, it encourages teamwork and a sense of responsibility as a means to overcome the problems at hand.

Realistic, imaginative, fun-filled and inspiring, this book is highly recommended to families affected by the pandemic. Highly relevant and eye-opening, it is a story we can all relate to during these times of crisis. We all need something to change our perspective and to give us hope. Sprinkled with a sense of humor, it is also something that can lighten our burdens as we all strive to survive COVID-19.