All about WHO’s book on the kid heroes of COVID-19?
In a recent press release, the World Health Organization (WHO) told us about the release of a kids’ book. It’s a sequel to another one published in April 2020. Now the WHO is not a name we associate with kids or books, but this is an exception. These two books of the ‘My Hero is You’ series aim at keeping children’s spirits up by telling them an imaginary adventure story, which is based on experiences of actual kids.
What are the books about?
The story can be read by children above 6 years of age. It revolves around Ario, a fantasy creature who travels the world helping children to be hopeful about the future, and see the joy in simple pleasures. Along with old and new friends, Ario addresses the fears, frustrations and concerns of children in the pandemic, and suggests coping mechanisms in dealing with difficult emotions like fear, grief, anger and sadness. For many kids, the pandemic continues to disrupt education, recreation, and normal interaction with friends, family and teachers. The story is based on responses of a survey of more than 5000 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from all over the world. So the adventures of Ario are heart-warming in their connect with reality.
Who collaborated for the survey for the book?
Both books are the result of a collaboration of 60 organizations working for humanitarian causes, including the WHO, UNICEF, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the MHPSS Collaborative for Children & Families in Adversity.
Translations and adaptations of WHO’s book globally
Ario’s story has touched thousands of people. The new book has been translated to Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swahili. The first part has been translated in 140 languages, including sign language and Braille. It also has more than 50 adaptations, in animation, audio versions, theatre, activity books and even colouring books for kids. Ario’s story inspired audio versions and workshops among refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, an animated version of the story on Mongolian national television, and distribution of the book as a free supplement with a national newspaper in Greece.