The Day the Lines Changed
Without ever saying Coronavirus, Pandemic, or vaccine, The Day the Lines Changed explains what it means to live through a viral outbreak and gives children a much needed, optimistic view of the future. Through the use of ripped paper and basic shapes, Kelley Donner takes a frightening and complicated topic and turns it into an uplifting, easily understandable story about the life of a green line.
Carefree and happy, the green line lives together with her family, goes to school during the week, and on weekends visits the town square. Then one day some of the lines in town begin to turn crooked and suddenly everything changes…
The Day the Lines Changed, a picture book for children between the ages of 2 and 8 should be a welcome resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers who are trying their best to explain the pandemic to worried children. 100% of all profits from the book in March and April, 2020 were donated to the Covid-19 charities that support children’s mental health.
Listen to/Read story below:
Use in your School
If you have read The Day the Lines Changed, then you know that is not just a story about a green line. It is an analogy for the situation that many children are in due to the Coronavirus and does require children to use some abstract reasoning. Children under 6 have a very limited view of the world around them. They are just beginning to see the big picture.
The Coronavirus, lockdown, social distancing, vaccines… all of these ideas are difficult for a small child to grasp. Therefore, The Day the Lines Changed can be used as an invitation to discuss some of these sensitive subjects in a way which is appropriate to the child’s age and developmental ability.
The Day the Lines Changed - Published on Amazon on March 19, 2020/ 24 pages
ISBN 978-1-7339595-8-2 (paperback and Kindle)
Letter from a 3rd and 4th grade teacher
Now in German!
Wie sich die Linien änderten is the German title of The Day the Lines Changed.
The German version is also available on all Amazon marketplaces as well as by order at your local bookstore.
““Thank you for helping to raise over 500 pounds for children’s mental health!” ”
“A sweet, colorful book that never once uses the word ‘pandemic’”
“Thank you so much!!!! Just know you have made a difference in my life and others.”
Stories and Pictures
The Day the Lines Changed has inspired children all over the glove. Send in your pictures to be displayed on our picture board and share your stories of how you were inspired.
Media Coverage
From ABC to BBC: newspaper, radio, and television media coverage from The Day the Lines Changed
