AsianScientist (Dec. 13, 2021) – Amidst pandemic-induced lockdowns and school closures, Asian Scientist Magazine’s Celebrating Our Healthcare Heroes art competition earlier this year gave Singapore’s children something to do: express their feelings over COVID-19 and show their gratitude to frontliners through art.
Now, their artworks have been immortalized in the children’s book My Coronavirus Story, authored by National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Executive Director Professor Leo Yee Sin. The book was launched today by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung at the Woodlands Regional Library.
Aimed towards young readers aged four to 12 years old, the storybook details the course of the COVID-19 pandemic from the eyes of a young child and pays tribute to the selfless contributions of healthcare workers at the forefront along the way.
“I saw firsthand what it means to be on the frontline dealing with COVID-19 and I was inspired to translate my observations into the perspective of the young—to explain the virus in a simple manner, describe how it has impacted their lives and help them see the way forward,” shared Leo.
Published by Wildtype Media Group, with sponsorship from the Indonesian philanthropic organization Tanoto Foundation, the book contains 21 illustrations curated from the competition that show crucial concepts like personal hygiene, vaccination and social responsibility in Singapore’s fight against the coronavirus.
Professor Benjamin Seet, Deputy Group CEO of Education and Research at the National Healthcare Group (NHG), shared that he and his fellow art competition judges felt that they had to do more with the artworks than just display them.
“Though they may appear simple, [the artworks] actually convey the perceptions and views of young children who have been affected by this pandemic, just like all of us here,” he explained.
“With this book, we are amplifying their voices in hopes of inspiring children everywhere to play their part in the fight against COVID-19,” added Dr. Juliana Chan, CEO and founder of Wildtype Media Group.
According to Chan, My Coronavirus Story can also serve as a valuable educational resource that can teach children about the current state of the world. Around 1,000 book copies of have since been printed and are now available at select National Library Board public libraries and primary schools across Singapore.
“We have to remember that going through this pandemic is a community effort,” concluded Ong at the launch. “This is what this book represents: that public spirit. This book also represents our hope for our children, that we will get past this and they will have a bright future.”
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine.
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