This simple overview of the pandemic covers the basics for children, helping them understand that the virus is an illness, and how they need to stay apart from other people to keep others from getting sick. It inserts questions to prompt kids to talk about their feelings. The illustrations are engaging and you can see the germs spreading. It covers social distancing, but sadly, doesn't even mention wearing masks. With a lot of states with health orders, a lot of children are required to wear masks and I find this lack in the story very disappointing.

This book came out quickly during the start of the pandemic that is Covid-19, and is very straightforward and to the point.

In very simple terms with what look like hastily done drawings, the book explains how Covid-19 is spreading, and what to do about keeping safe from it.

There aren't many good books to explain what is going on to kids, in the absence of any, this is a good enough book for that.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This simple overview of the pandemic covers the basics for children, helping them understand that the virus is an illness, and how they need to stay apart from other people to keep others from getting sick. It inserts questions to prompt kids to talk about their feelings. The illustrations are engaging and you can see the germs spreading. It covers social distancing, but sadly, doesn't even mention wearing masks. With a lot of states with health orders, a lot of children are required to wear masks and I find this lack in the story very disappointing.

I was provided with a copy of What's All The Commotion? A Book About Social Distancing by Jessie Glenn in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

This is an easy and lighthearted book about a serious topic that I believe will be extremely helpful for parents and teachers/educators to explain to young children the reasons why we’re currently experiencing a very different reality when it comes to social behaviour and having to be socially distant.

It explains it clearly without being too heavy or complicated for children to grasp the message and the procedures they should adopt, explaining that it’s for the good of everyone that we’re now living in a different way. The “new normal” as we now call it.

I’m not a parent and yet I found this book to be very informative and helpful for anyone with young children. (and even for some adults who are still refusing to follow the current social rules…)

A book I recommend and that I wish was translated in many languages so that parents and educators could benefit from it worldwide, as this is a global issue.

Thank you kindly to NetGalley and Eldredge Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

#WhatsAllTheCommmotion #NetGalley

Very calm explanation of COVID-19. Easy for even very young children to understand. Hopefully it will be reassuring to children who might be nervous or confused about the virus.

What's All the Commotion? is a kid-friendly, non threatening story about how Covid has changed our day to day lives. The illustrations are diverse and relatable. This is a great for families of primary age children. Thanks Eldredge Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

"Social distancing is how we can help to care for all the people we know and all the lovable people we don't know." This was such a kind and compassionate children's book that explains both the why and how of social distancing to children navigating the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As our understanding of the virus changes rapidly, some of the illustrations may already be a bit dated (the need for everyone to disinfect groceries for example), the need to do our best to keep each other safe in the best ways we know how remain the same.

This would be a great book to read with a child in either a family or a classroom setting. I think both children and adults will find it to be a calming and encouraging voice in these unusual times.

Thank you to Net Galley for the free Advanced Copy in exchange for a honest review.

Although the idea of introducing a tough conversation about the COVID 19 pandemic, I am sorry to say that the pictures are misleading.

The pictures do NOT match the words. And there is some misinformation. Recent statistics show that MANY children are getting sick with COVID 19 VIRUS.

For example, on page 7, there is a picture of a kid wasting water by letting the water run. The kid is NOT washing hands with soap. Better idea to SHOW the kid washing hands with soap and water 20 times!

And there are NO pictures of social distancing. If you are going to talk about social distancing to young children, then it is a good idea to SHOW what social distancing looks like.

This title would be a good tool in a discussion with young children, if it is supplemented with information or a book about wearing face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review is based on an e-galley, so I am not sure what the timeline was in terms of when it was written and current COVID-19 guidelines. The colorful pictures are kid-friendly, showing both scenes of happiness and illness to match the text. A starter book in educating kids about the medical crisis, typical feelings, and what they can do in their communities.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-galley. My ratings and reviews are my own.

A cute book that explains the why of "social distancing."

This book is geared towards children ages 3-7 and explains the need to social distance and the why of it. It also explains how germs can spread in a very basic way that hopefully young children will understand.

With many elementary schools just now re-opening, it is the perfect time to read this book to your small children.

The Illustrations are very basic and do not seem to have been created by a professional Illustrator.

I rate this book as 3 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

**I received an e-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review**

Maybe better for younger readers who don't have a parent or guardian on hand to explain the situation.
The illustrations remind me of the old Highlights magazines of the 80s and 90s (do they still make those?) Nothing overly new or interesting.

The idea behind this is nice, but it feels more like a cash grab than an attempt to actually help people.

Maybe if there had been a section on why people refuse to stay at home/social distance/wear masks, it could have worked, but knowing that people are blatantly refusing to do these things is more concerning than the actual pandemic itself.

Oversimplifies in an attempt to explain what’s going on with Covid-19. It is a good attempt just could be better. The drawings I noticed have most of the people with their eyes closed. Children will definitely pick up on this. Also stating that “this will not last forever” is not true. Scientists are working on a vaccine but do not know what the future will look like for the world. It is best to be honest with children especially with this new normal.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a good picture book for young children about COVID and the importance of social distancing and good hygiene practices. The author explained how this virus can be passed and quickly spread with many people getting sick. So the best way is to social distance and make sure everything is cleaned properly. There were many open ended questions to further discussions on this topic.

This is a very timely book to help parents and teachers explain the importance that children follow the social distancing rules. It is especially important now since some states are allowing children to return to the classroom. They will be excited to see their friends, but need to understand they can’t interact with them as they used to do. They need to follow the rules.

As a side note, the author explained about social distancing, but there was no mention of the use of face masks. In some state, face masks are required for all children going back to school. As parents/teachers read this book to young children, I think it will be extremely helpful to also explain the use of face masks when discussing those pages referring to the spreading of germs.

An ARC was given for an honest review.

A very good picture book for young children. Very well written and illustrated. Explains the most important things about coronavirus. Good book for reading and sharing pictures with toddlers also

What's All The Commotion?
by Jessie Glenn
really reassuring for young students, the works are simple an the sentences with help can be read by the youngest of students. teachers can use this book to help children understand what is happening and how to explain the problems. and changes of the future social distancing.

This book is a great resource for any parents, guardians, or teachers who want to explain social distancing to children. The story is told in simple language that kids will understand and offers a lot of opportunities for kids to express themselves and their questions to allow adults to dialog with them.

This is a simplistic but gentle overview of the current pandemic aimed at younger children. It emphasizes community and social responsibility, which are so important right now, and ends with the positive message that we will get through this and it won't last forever. There are several questions posed in the book, encouraging children to reflect and posing jumping-off places for discussion. The illustrations feature racially diverse people. I will likely use this as a read-aloud to spark discussion with students (grades 4 and 5).

This book provides adults with a resource for opening up discussion about the corona virus and some of the health precautions that have come into place.  It is geared toward young children. The book's focus is on social distancing although I think that it would have been better had it covered masks as well.  That said, this title shows awareness of the  the questions and concerns that children may well have and offers a way to address them. 


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to No Kid Hungry.

WHAT’S ALL THE COMMOTION – A children’s book about the importance of social distancing.

‘The changes in children’s lives around the world due to the virus pandemic are startling and stressful in many cases. What’s All the Commotion? seeks to answer children’s questions simply and directly with an optimistic outlook.’

WHAT’S ALL THE COMMOTION? is a great book to talk to your children about social distancing, why it’s important, what it means for them, and opens the door for parents to ask their children how they’re feeling about what’s going on around them.

Though this book doesn’t discuss the need to wear a mask, there are children’s books that can be read along with this one that highlight wearing a mask and why it’s important.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mindbuck Media for loaning me an eBook of WHAT’S ALL THE COMMOTION? In exchange for an honest review.

Commotion is a good word for what is going for children to grasp what they can do. It's all about control and how we can help as parents to help our children have some control of what is going on.
First up is the spread of germs. How germs can cause us to be sick and how it can spread. Again this is helping children put themselves in control of what this commotion is all about.

I think parents will have to add lib some of their own insights for their kids. It was a little dry so as a parent you will have to put some life into this one so kids make this their own.

A special thank you to Eldredge Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.