Using Gus Munchie to talk to kids about COVID-19

From Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary by Tim Warnes (self-published) | © 2020 by Tim Warnes

“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”

— C.S Lewis

Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary is now available in fourteen daily instalments, each representing a day of lockdown. The initial email campaign wasn't without incident, and on Day Four, I received a somewhat negative email.

As a general rule, I try not to read reviews. However, this landed straight in my inbox, so it was hard to ignore!

The reader's primary concern, which I would like to address for the benefit of everyone, is this:

 

'I feel that a lot of children are concerned about the pandemic without scaring them any further.'

 

I agree! So it's worth our while exploring how much truth there is in their concern.

 We are all - children included - affected by the global pandemic.

How could our children not be concerned, surrounded as they are by 24/7 news and daily death tolls?

With their schools shut and playgrounds closed.

With social distancing in place. Unable to meet or hug friends and family. 

This week the World Health Organisation warned Europe to prepare for a second deadly wave of the virus. Meanwhile, the White House's infectious disease expert is "very concerned" that new US coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day. "It is going to be very disturbing, I will guarantee you that," said Dr Fauci.

My intention will never be to harm anyone emotionally. And it is true that the reality of the pandemic (though not dwelt upon), is acknowledged in my story.

But I find it hard to believe that Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary will add to a child’s fears.

Gus is merely holding a mirror up to what he sees around him:

 

"It's highly infectious, and thousands will die."

 

I wrote that line early on into lockdown. At the time of release (June 19th), there had been 463,781 deaths,and over 8.5 million confirmed cases  of coronavirus.

"The rising death tolls being reported every day - these kids have seen all of that and internalised it." Those are the words of the chief executive of the Childhood Trust, who says some children are displaying signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including vivid nightmares. Dr Maria Loades, University of Bath, agrees, adding, "Current social distancing measures enforced on children because of COVID19 are likely to increase the risk of depression and probably anxiety..."

 

So no - I don't believe I am a fearmonger. By naming our worries or concerns, we create a space to talk about them. And that's why Gus Munchie is more than just a great story. It's there to help children process these emotions, and know that they are not alone.

 

From Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary by Tim Warnes (self-published) | © 2020 by Tim Warnes

 Death is a bit of a taboo subject for kids books.

(There are exceptions, of course, but that's another post all in itself.) I think it's a bit of a taboo subject in general - it makes many adults feel uncomfortable, and in denial of the reality, will quickly brush it aside:

 

"Me no wan' die!" says Lunchbox. 

"You won't die, Munchkin!" says Mama. 

"Well, he might," I say.

"Gus, how is that helpful?" asks dad.

Helpful or not, the truth is, nobody really knows what the heck's going on.

Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary by Tim Warnes

 

The pandemic is the catalyst for the story, used to provide the inciting incident (Lunchbox's cough) that destabilises the Munchie's world. After the initial reality check in Chapter Two, I don't mention coronavirus a great deal. It's the hook I hang my story on - what it’s really about is Gus, and his relationship with his dad, Fat Tony. 

 

Dad’s not used to having us at home all day.

Mama’s what my Grampa calls ‘the bread-winner’, so she goes out to work. (Dad tells people she fiddles about on computers.) I go off to school, which leaves him and Lunchbox to do their own thing.

“We’ll settle into a routine,” says Mama. “You won’t even notice I’m here.”

“If there’s one thing you’ve taught me, Dad, it’s that Nature is adaptable. We’ll learn to coexist.”

“Like beavers and muskrats?” asks Dad hopefully.

“Exactly,” I say.

But really, I was thinking of sea lions and orcas.

Dad puts on some music to cheer himself up.

“Baby, I was bo-orn to ruuuuun…” he wails. 

Seriously, I can’t ever remember seeing Fat Tony run anywhere…

Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary by Tim Warnes

 

I believe Gus Munchie is a well-crafted story, with recognisable scenarios that add humour and drive the story forward. I close my open story loops and affirm the identity of my characters, bringing them together for an ultimately satisfying and uplifting ending.

 

From Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary by Tim Warnes (self-published) | © 2020 by Tim Warnes

 

There is, however, a note of uncertainty to Gus's concluding passage. And I think it reflects how we're all feeling:

 

"Whatever the new normal brings, we'll face it together."

 

COVID-19 affects us all.

We can pretend that our kids are excluded in an attempt to feel more in control. Or we can accept the reality that we are experiencing it together.

I don't think Gus Munchie will make children's fears any worse. But it might help them externalise them. It's also funny, touching and poignant, and I encourage you to share it with your children. Sure, you may face some uncomfortable conversations as a result of reading it. But that's a far healthier place for your kids to be, than keeping those feelings bottled up inside.

One thing's for sure: the pandemic is not over yet.

 

I would highly recommend this brief article by the Child Mind Institute, which guided my writing of Gus Munchie:

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis | Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark  by Rachel EhmkeSupport your kids - sign up to Gus Munchie: My Lockdown Diary(Recommended ages: seven - adult)

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Sources Second more deadly wave of coronavirus expected 'to hit Europe this winter' , aNNE gULLAND (tHE Telegraph, 9th June 2020) Dr Fauci in 100,000 daily coronavirus cases warning , Dr FaucI (BBC, 30th june 2020) Coronavirus Worldwide Graphs (WorldometeR, 2nd July 2020)Coronavirus Worldwide Graphs (Worldometer, 2nd july 2020) Coronavirus: Children 'developing post-traumatic stress' from pandemic , Ashitha Nagesh (BBC, 22ND JUNE 2020) Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis | Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark , Rachel Ehmke (Child Mind Institute) © 2020 BY TIM WARNES (UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.