Shortly after entering lockdown with her three children, Seabrook mother Charlie Golding searched for a resource to explain COVID-19 to her ever questioning offspring but failed to find what she was looking for. She made the decision to write it, and When The World Went Inside came to exist.
Ms Golding explains “It’s what I will forever remember as a book for the children of 2020. A book that should never have been needed, but was.”
When The World Went Inside began as a personal project to comfort her children. They were frightened of the virus and deeply confused as to why their lives had changed so dramatically. Ms Golding wanted to level with them in an honest and age appropriate way, but as the story developed so did her ambition for the project and she decided to release it to the public.
She laughingly dismisses the book as being “the only business that’s ever been started with the hope that there wouldn’t be a market for it for long” but now concedes that the book will outlive the immediate lockdown measures. As restrictions ease there is a more urgent need for children to independently understand how to implement the basic safety measures that will protect them from COVID-19.
Ms Golding hopes that the book will reassure families and help them talk comfortably about the virus and focus on the importance of the well being of their children’s mental and physical health.
Following the story, there are 3 pages of text to help families understand the virus, learn how to stay safe and suggestions for safely handling big emotions.
When The World Went Inside is available now as both a hard copy ($20) and an ebook ($15) for children aged 3-10 years old.
whentheworldwentinsidebook.com
facebook.com/whentheworldwentinside