As many of us pass the days at home, we're consuming a lot of content. Whether it's reading on your favorite website, bingeing the best shows, or playing music at all hours of day and night, there's something comforting about diving into a story.
Kids are no different. A lot of parents are turning to reading and television as COVID-19 continues to change what our everyday life looks like. One Manhattan mom has even found her own way of being comforted by her favorite children's book titles.
Stefanie Trilling was looking for a way to pass the hours inside while lightening the mood for her family. She wanted to make the realities of the coronavirus crisis less scary. While painting with her kids one day, she noticed a book they'd read earlier in the day. That's when she got the idea to re-create children's book covers. The coronavirus-themed covers she's made are hilarious and speak to the way we're living today. It also reminds us that there's nothing wrong with doing something lighthearted amid all the heaviness that surrounds us.
Stefanie Trilling has found herself in the same situation as many parents across the country. She's home with her kids and looking to alleviate some of the stress of our current global situation. For her family, who lives close to several hospitals in Manhattan where the virus is hitting hardest, the situation is even harder to ignore.
“I sought a way to distract myself and my children from the constant sirens outside our window,” Stefanie told Scary Mommy. It's a difficult situation that's much harder for parents of younger kids who can't wrap their heads around what's happening quite the same way. A mom to two children, ages 2 and 5, she turned to art as one of the ways to pass the time.
"One day, I was painting with my kids to occupy our minds, and I started copying the first thing I saw — a book we had read earlier in the day," Stefanie recalled.
She then realized she could use art to bring light to the heavy situation. "To make coronavirus less scary, I cartoonified the virus within my painting."
It helped her family a lot. The picture sparked a conversation between Stefanie and her kids, so she decided to share it.
"My children loved it and it opened the channels for easier communication about our fears," she explained. "Now, it’s serving as a medium for demonstrating how social distancing can bring people together and unite us around empathy."
Stefanie has now done a pretty impressive number of covers. She's calling the project Children's Books for Pandemics. The project is now available on Facebook and Instagram. She's hoping to turn it into something bigger.
"Within the next few days, I plan to launch an initiative that will allow me to sell prints, with proceeds going to organizations that benefit those affected in different ways by COVID-19, especially children in underserved communities," she said.
Some of the covers are really similar to their originals, with the addition of a mask here or there. While that may seem underserving to some, it's actually pretty reflective of some people's realities. There are many people going about business plus a mask, for better or worse.
Other covers are more specific to the current situation. The Berenstain Bears cover has a stack of delivery boxes, kids maxing out on screen time, and rolls of toilet paper. We can understand why Mama Bear is having herself an adult beverage.
Stefanie even did a theme week. She dedicated a whole week of Dr. Seuss titles, covering favorite like Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who! and Oh, the Places You'll Go! Seeing them through COVID-eyes doesn't detract from their charm.
Stefanie has amassed over 15,000 likes on Facebook and has over 3,000 followers on Instagram. She told Parents that she's overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the project has received.
"I started posting these paintings online to entertain my friends and create a bright spot in a really dark time," she said.
"Having the opportunity to bring joy to millions of people gives me a true feeling of purpose during an era of uncertainty and pain."
People are totally loving Stefanie's lighthearted reimaginings. "This is WONDERFUL! Having taught first graders for over 20 years. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to read these to children … although the adults sure get a big kick out of them!!! ," shared one commenter.
"Stefanie, Thank you so much for your wonderful energy!" added another commenter. "You’re so talented and have kept this retired elementary school teacher laughing! ."
People are also sharing requests for Stefanie, from Bedtime for Frances to The Velveteen Rabbit.
Stefanie hopes that one day, these works of art can turn into a book of their own. "The artwork with short vignettes documenting how social distancing brought people closer together and fostered a unique collective empathy," she mused. Her talent is certainly worthy of taking this to the next level.
Stefanie is helping a lot of people with her imaginative covers. For little ones, the ideas make a scary, intimidating thing more accessible and relatable. For adults, we're comforted by these funny takes, which bring to mind beloved and comforting stories.
