Jake and the Pandemic

by Chris Hardy, Wally _LL (Illustrator)

Who said dogs can't write books?!? This heartwarming story was created to help our little ones navigate through this pandemic while being helpful, humorous and hopeful. Written in "first doggy," children can easily relate to Jake's experiences as he shifts to online learning, is forced to stay home more often and dearly misses his friends. Jake's story helps children learn they are not alone in this big world of emotions. Both children and adults alike get a kick out of finding Jake's squirrel friend, Stuart, throughout the book. This is a feel-good type of book and a keepsake to share with future generations about this historic time we are all living through. And since Jake himself was rescued from The Humane Society, he has designated a portion of the profits from his book to be donated to various animal charities to help his furry friends lead better lives.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2021

About the author

Chris Hardy, a native of California, decided to finally pursue her long-time dream of writing books that touch the hearts of children and adults alike. "Jake and the Pandemic" was her first book and it was inspired by her nieces' experiences during the pandemic as well as the adorable dog, Jake, who she adopted after the passing of her neighbor. She went on to write three more books in 2021 ("Jake and the Purple Unicorn," "Jake and the Biggest Yawn Ever" and "Grateful Jake") and she is working on 3 more for 2022.

Her writing goals are to create engaging stories filled with humor, life lessons and education to not only help children but also to help them thoroughly enjoy their book reading experience.

When she isn't engaged in her creative outlet of writing, she runs her business that she has owned since 2002 selling natural products. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks with Jake, playing tennis with her 80-year-old mom, hiking, watching movies, riding bikes at the beach, vacationing anywhere, spending time with family and being grateful for all the good that is in her life.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake's first book is geared towards children 4-8 years old and was written a year after the pandemic began.

We went to bed one night and the next morning things were very different. Now we are 3 years later and although times are better we are still living in it. This book is a realistic look at what it was like at the beginning, when we were all scared, up until the vaccine was beginning to be administered.

What made it realistic:
~ quarantining and the unknown
~ the toilet paper shortage
~ online zoom school
~ how it was hard for the little ones to understand why they could not play with their friends

What I enjoyed seeing;
~ the extra family time spent together
~ how Jake helped his neighbors with mowing the lawn and shopping

The illustrations by Wally_LL (Osipova V.) were vibrant and fun.
My favorites:
~ Stuart the squirrel on the tricycle just cracks me up and I love that he’s wearing a helmet ~ safety first
~ the pets with masks were a nice touch
~ Stuart pushing his acorn in a cart
~ how all of the dogs have different expressions during zoom school and how the teacher is wearing glasses
~ Stuart reading this book
~ how Jake's favorite bedtime story has not been published yet as it's in the works now in 2023

Overall, I do feel like it is more of a ‘distant memory’ book reading it now. Jake gives off a good vibe of what he was feeling as if he were a child, too. He acts more like a child than a pet by baking cookies and playing games, which I think will help children resonate more with him. It was easy to follow along with age appropriate wording.

*Thanks to Chris Hardy for sending me a copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can kids books ever be any cuter than when based on real life animals? I think not.
Jake is a real-live dog and he's a covid pup. So obviously he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the safety of wearing masks, social distancing, and (ultimately) getting the vaccine.
One thing of note here is that the book ends with the vaccine having just been discovered. So this is a bit of an outdated story (if you will). However as far as I'm concerned all the same rules and limitations should apply as we have not yet produced a vaccine that stops infection (merely delays it or reduces it's severity). So I wouldn't at all think that anything else in Jake and the Pandemic has changed very much.
The most exciting part of the book is perhaps the ending in which we learn there is a whole line of books coming out where Jake the dog explains the world to us! So great!
Chris Hardy presents a difficult and scary topic in a really friendly and accessible way. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who has to try and explain to a little one what is happening. Even as we are now outside the 'immediate' pandemic danger of covid-19 I think it's still important to teach kids what can happen and how to be prepared. Inevitably there will be another pandemic. Whether it's a strain of covid-19, a new virus all together, or a strain of the flu; I have certainly about one thing, the environment sees us as a parasite and is going to keep trying to kill us off. That is just the way evolution and biology work; thus we should prepare children to tackle it with open, honest communication, just like Jake does here.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

How cute! Aimed at children aged 4-8, Chris Hardy's Jake and the Pandemic is a warm and friendly explanation of life during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Told through Jake's eyes, Wally_LL's adorable illustrations show how the quarantine affected daily life for young children. Disruptions to school and playtime, even shopping trips and visits with the neighbors, changed significantly during this time.

Chris Hardy's story is playful and reassuring, with a hopeful ending we can all get behind!

thank you to BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for providing an ARC of Jake and the Pandemic for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book. Kids will love Jake. I don’t know who the author’s target age group is but the first page includes a space for them to write their name, age, and what they remember most about the pandemic so I assume it’s at least 1st grade. I feel the book was written more toward a younger age group (a read to me book) though because it just skims the surface of the topic. I think she could have gone a little more in depth if she was targeting children who are able to read and write already and access memories from the past year. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and the Pandemic is a charming children’s story about a dog that shares his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poignant kids book teaches readers about the pandemic and how to deal with the anxiety and the changes that it has brought. It shows the challenges that many children face, like virtual learning, but also shows how we can still help others and find joy in our new way of living.

This wonderfully illustrated children’s book will keep readers engaged throughout as they are constantly on the look out for Stuart the squirrel who makes an appearance throughout the book. My favorite was Stuart pushing the shopping cart with a nut in it. So cute!

While the book is fun and colorful it also shows many of the challenges that children face during the pandemic. There is even a very cute scene of Jake having a virtual classroom and there are other dogs in different relatable poses on screen. Again, so cute!

Throughout the story you can see other dogs wearing masks, closed stores, and empty streets. This book will help children and parents have a conversation about the challenges and emotions we face during this crisis and also shows us how to see the positive things in our new situation; like increased family time, gardening and cooking. There’s even a hidden cookie recipe in here!

Jake and the Pandemic is a wonderful children’s picture book that will keep young readers entertained while also teaching them about the pandemic.

[Anneliese Grassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Cute

Jake is a beautiful dog with a lot of energy for going on walks and being active. Unfortunately, COVID brought it all to a hault when everyone had to quarantine, wear masks, and social distance.

This is an adorable book with fantastic pictures, and a wonderful lesson in patience and things you can't control, and helping others not just in a time of need but all the time. And although this is geared for small kids, people of all ages will enjoy this book!

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Amanda Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book for children to read - and wonderful pictures

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and the Pandemic tells the story of the pandemic (specifically 2020) from the perspective of an anthropomorphic dog. Jake describes life before the pandemic and then how much things changed, including wearing masks, attending online school and having to stay inside a lot. Even though the story includes lots of things that dogs don't normally do, like mow the lawn or help make cookies, I think it is nice that the main character is a dog rather than a child. I think this brings a new layer of interest and engagement to the story because children can relate to the story with a bit more of a separation of their own experiences and those they are reading about. The book sends important messages about anxiety and mental health, especially the isolation related to the pandemic and how spending time with family and helping others in safe ways are great ways to get through difficult situations like this one. I think this is a nice book for parents of young children who are still experiencing some anxiety surrounding the pandemic or could benefit from reading positive stories about the recent past. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource to get kids talking about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences during the pandemic. It retells the story of how things happened so suddenly in March 2020 and all the changes and uncertainties that went with it. Using kid-friendly language, it acknowledges both the hard parts and the silver linings we found.

Jake the dog is adorable and the illustrations are bright and lively, with lots of fun details for kids to notice. The tone is very validating of all kinds of feelings and reactions, but the overall message is hopeful, both for the future and for the ability of the human spirit to adapt and still find good in the world. This would make an excellent circle-time read at school, but also a great one-one-one read with a caregiver to help kids process and make sense of their experiences.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is a dog who doesn't really know what's going on when the pandemic started. He's lost, confused, lonely, and anxious. But his (human) mom tells him that it's okay to feel that way and that they'll get through this pandemic together. She shows him ways to cope (playing games as a family, planting new seeds, etc.) and gives him hope that they'll return to a normal life again.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that there was an acceptance of those feelings. I hear too many times of people who grew up with parents who dismissed their emotions. Even though this book doesn't go into all the issues caused by the pandemic (death, sickness, losing a job, etc.), it is from the perspective of a young child, so some of these things don't matter as much. The book could have benefited from adding a small section about death, but maybe that's just my opinion.

Bonus points: the dog in the book is based off of a dog in real life! Very cute.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to the author, publishers BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This story of Jake the dog and his changing emotions before and during the Covid-19 pandemic is one that a lot of young kids will no doubt able to relate to. I thought that telling the story through the eyes of a dog was a fun and innovative way to get the message across to young readers.

The story tells of how Jake initially felt sad and afraid, but then happy and ultimately hopeful of an end to the pandemic, and that it was OK for him to feel each of these emotions. The book also shows how simple acts of kindness can have such a positive impact on others, especially those feeling the same way that Jake was.

[LiteraryCryptid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale about a puppy trying to navigate the world during the pandemic.

Jake likes to spend time outside with all his friends, but one day he wakes up to his world changed. The places he loves are closed, everyone is wearing masks, and he is worried about the new reality he lives in.

This book is wonderful to explain how the pandemic affected life and the worries children might experience during. It offers solutions for anyone experiencing isolation with creative ways to stay healthy and active. A wonderful story with adorable artwork.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if the Covid-19 pandemic is over, people of all ages still have angst about it and all the changes it made in our lives. In this reassuring little book, a furry dog and his nemesis (a squirrel) think about how things were before and during that time and look to the future with hope. The prose is simple and clear enough for ESL and/or children. The illustrations by Victoria Osipova are simple, delightful, colorful, vibrant, and imaginative.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age and also for ESL readers.
I really want to get one for my local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Kindle from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake and the Pandemic followed the life of Jake the dog throughout the coronavirus lockdown. The rise of post-pandemic children’s literature is something that I find to be a great way of helping younger children understand and come to terms with the confusion and stress of the pandemic.

The illustrations were actually quite funny, especially the dogs and squirrels in masks! I felt it could have had a little more depth to the writing but it is a fun little read.

Thank you netgalley for the arc.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story about a young puppy trying to understand and cope with what we all know as the pandemic. I think it is so, so important for kids to have a way to understand what is happening in the world around them, and to find ways for them to help put their feelings of isolation into words.

I hope to see more books be published about the fear and anxiety surrounding the past couple of years. We all need the comfort.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from the author in a Goodreads giveaway. I am a public health elementary school nurse and I am always looking for entertaining and scientifically relevant books for my clinic and to share with the 3 to 12 year olds I work with. This book is great. Cute illustrations and good information about coping with the pandemic. I will be introducing this book to students right away. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.

[Ann Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely and cheerful book to help children relate to pandemic related worries. Jake the rescue dog helps them navigate through online learning and missing friends and routine. Also, I loved the character of Stuart, the squirrel! This may be a good book to tuck away to read again when the pandemic eases to remind us all to stay strong! And a portion of the profits goes to rescue dogs which is a win win all around!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a delightful little tale about a dog named Jake and his family and friends during the pandemic. While there were changes because of the pandemic, with stores being closed and fewer people being out in public, and online school, Jake had fun playing games, trying yoga, baking, planting a garden, and helping others.When a vaccine was created it was a big step toward ending the pandemic and giving hope. I appreciated the upbeat nature of the tale.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming book to read

I felt privileged to have an opportunity reading this heart warming book. As we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic, it’s nice to think of that we are becoming people who are kind, caring, and willing to look after one another. It’s okay to feel anxious and scared, but by caring for one another, we’re stronger together.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about the panini

I won this book from Goodreads giveaways. It’s simple and well written and will help explain what 2020 was like to kids who may be too young to remember. The illustrations are very colorful and I like the “hidden” squirrel idea.

[Lori Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful children’s book to keep forever to read to their children and grandchildren about what the covid pandemic was like through simple terms. The illustrations are gorgeous. I loved this book and can’t wait for my grandchildren to come over to read it to them and get their opinions.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I Loved this book! Thought it was such a cute read, and would be a fantastic read aloud for preschool or kindergarten students.

[Nicole Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is a cute little pup who’s world flips upside down one day when the world locks down for the pandemic. Jake tells a meaningful story about about working through the dead and anxiety of the scary time and the way he and his family coped. Would be very relatable to young child. .

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was excessively long and wordy. The author falls into the habit of ‘telling’ rather than “showing”. It is based on what happened in 2020 with the lock down. This book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. It has been done better by others.

[Laura Talley · Rating 3 out of 5]

COVID 101

This is such a great explanation of COVID and what happened during lockdown. Kids of all ages will love it and for generations to come future children will read this and have a better understanding of what it was like to live through the pandemic.

[Jill Czeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book for explaining the pandemic to young ones

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet book. Any young child would love to have a read about Jades story and feelings. The artist did a wonderful job with the pictures. It’s a very good book!!!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet, well done graphics, and a story about the beginning of the pandemic and the feelings that go along with it. Very relevant for children right now!

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Glad I read it.

[Zuleida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book! Educational about the pandemic and how everything in our everyday lives changed but to feel hopeful about it at the end. My son loved the pictures!