SCBWI members Bacon and Lee win national ebook contest for “COVID-19 Helpers”

Staying away from school, missing sports games, skipping birthday celebrations—they’re the kinds of things we are asking kids to do during the global COVID-19 pandemic.  They may seem like minor setbacks, but they are real sacrifices for children.

The COVID pandemic, with its stay-at-home order, is especially difficult for kids. In-person social development is extremely important to the youth. And because they’re young, they aren’t able to do research on their own to intellectually justify the changes. They need grown-ups to help explain the situation. But some parents aren’t sure about the best ways to talk about COVID-19.

Dr. Jeffrey Koplan understood this situation first-hand. Koplan is Vice President for Global Health at Emory University as well as Director of Emory Global Health Institute (EGHI) in Atlanta, Georgia.  EGHI is an organization that brings together diverse disciplines to tackle global health issues. Koplan’s own grandchildren had many questions for him. He was aware that these questions were being raised all over the world. He realized that families needed help in discussing the issues raised by this pandemic. He also knew that children’s books can work as jumping-off points for authentic conversations.  

EBOOK CONTEST

So Koplan and his colleagues at EGHI decided to hold a competition. Time was of the essence, so they created a fast, two-week deadline. To incentivize submissions, they offered a $10,000 prize.

On the other side of the country in Seattle, Washington, author Beth Bacon heard about the EGHI ebook contest. She’d been wanting to do something to contribute to helping children during the COVID-19 crisis, but as a writer, she wasn’t anywhere near the front lines.

“As soon as I heard about the contest, I wanted to use my skills to help,” said Bacon. “Storytelling may not be ‘essential work’ according to official lists, but it is essential to the human experience.” Bacon did a little research on the disease then wrote down her thoughts in a draft of what quickly became the book, COVID-19 Helpers.

COVID-19 Helpers is the simple yet hopeful story that explains the disease and the role of children in keeping the disease contained. Kids make up a large part of our society’s plan to reduce the spread of this disease through social distancing. 

STORIES HAVE POWER

“I wanted readers to feel how universal this situation is—that truly, we’re all in this together,” said Bacon. “I wanted to honor the helpers, from healthcare workers to grocery workers and everyone in between. This hopeful book conveys the message that staying at home is an important part of fighting the coronavirus.

Bacon folded all of her own feelings and experiences into the story.  “While I was writing this book, I heard a garbage truck outside. I thought, ‘They’re helping too,'” said Bacon. And yes, there’s a nod to garbage collectors in the story.  “During this crisis, so many people are trying to help in their own way, and it’s a wonderful thing to see,” siad Bacon. “I wanted the book to give a hopeful message and make kids feel proud that they’re playing an important role.”

PICTURES IN  10 DAYS

Once the text was complete, the book needed pictures. So Bacon contacted her friend Kary Lee, who she met through SCBWI-WWA.  Bacon wasn’t simply inviting Lee to join her in an ordinary collaboration. Bacon had heard about a contest sponsored by Emory Global Health Institute, a leading public health organization. The contest had a tight deadline—and a $10,000 prize.

Lee was busy when she received Bacon’s invitation to illustrate the story. She had  a full-time job and her free time was booked with all of the tasks that come with moving a household. Lee and her husband had just purchased a new home—on the day the stay-at-home order went into effect. So Lee had a lot on her plate. Still she was intrigued by the simple, spare text.

“After reading Beth’s manuscript, I fell in love with the story. I HAD to try,” said Lee. 

Normally, it takes Lee at least 6 months to illustrate a picture book. If they wanted to enter the contest, they needed to finish the book in just 10 days. “I wasn’t sure this would be possible,” said Lee. 

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

With the clock ticking, Bacon and Lee worked out a strategy. In days, Lee created a thumbnail of the whole book. “The images unfolded and my character emerged,” said Lee. Bacon loved the emotion and energy of sketches and encouraged her to keep going. Lee spent the weekend creating the final draft sketches then took those spreads straight to color. 

Bacon used her graphic design and book production skills to bring everything together into an ebook on the morning of the contest’s deadline. A week later, they learned that their book won first place in the contest. The book is now available for free from the EGHI website. Soon it will also be available on iTunes. Google Play, and in paper versions. 

So far, COVID-19 Helpers has had a positive impact on children. One reader noted, “I love the style of the illustrations and the just-right tone for motivating kids to feel good about doing their part and understanding why.” 

“I love the style of the illustrations and the just-right tone for motivating kids to feel good about doing their part and understanding why.” 

—reader of COVID-19 Helpers

The book was created to give kids insight into their important role in the fight against this new disease. Lee said, “This book shows that kids not only matter, but their actions have an impact on this pandemic.”