Fighting the Big Virus: Trinka, Sam, and Littletown Work Together

This story was developed in collaboration with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) to help young children and families talk about their experiences and feelings related to COVID-19 and the need to stay at home. In the story, the virus has spread to Littletown causing changes in everyone’s lives. The story opens doors to conversations about family and community strengths, challenges and feelings related to COVID-19, ways grown-ups help children keep safe, and our gratitude for frontline workers.

In addition to the story, which also serves as a coloring book, there is a booklet of common questions children may ask, a parent guide, and a feeling poster. The book and booklet can either be read to children, or, parents may select specific pages for their children to color and talk about. These all can all be freely downloaded from http://piploproductions.com/trinka-and-sam-virus/.and at  https://www.nctsn.org/resources/trinka-and-sam-fighting-the-big-virus

NCTSN also recently released additional resources:

• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19 (translated in Spanish and Mandarin)
• Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents amidst COVID-19 outbreak
• Supporting Children During Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age 
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for School Staff 
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Community Organizations and Leaders 
• Family Resilience and Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Mental Health Providers
• Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic Grief Related to COVID-19