Frances Groeneman

Different Can Be Fun, Different Is OK Frances Groeneman

Preschool-age children will see themselves in this story of a little boy who navigated the changes brought on by the pandemic with the love and encouragement of his family. From normalcy to isolation, to the return to semi-normalcy after the worst of the pandemic passed, many children went through an adjustment. They were sad and isolated in the beginning. They were frustrated at not being able to see their friends and family or even go to the park. Parents the world over did their best to mitigate the damage done by the isolation but even as society emerged from isolation, kids had to adjust yet again to a world that did not look familiar. There were new rules, new kids, new teachers. Everyone was wearing a mask. All these changes had an impact on children's ability to adjust. Gabe, the protagonist of this story was lucky to have a loving family who encouraged him and helped him navigate the changes, to overcome his fears, to adjust to the changes and find his place in this new world. This book follows Gabe's journey throughout this time and brings to life the real challenges his family faced while they made the best of the circumstances they found themselves in. In the end, Gabe overcame his fears and the uncertainty he felt and emerged stronger and happier.