I want to thank Deana Sobel Lederman, the author, and artist who generously shared her latest book with me so that I can share it with my readers. This is a gentle story for families with young children who may be fearful of wearing masks during COVID19. I have been narrating books for my students in the hope that they feel comforted by hearing my voice. I often read to my students, so this is a natural extension of my school nursing practice. Enjoy and please share this beautiful story.
Artist’s Statement: I am Deana Sobel Lederman, the mother of two little boys and an artist. When I was a little girl, my grandmother, who was also an artist, taught me to paint. My mother always encouraged me, and I made big paintings that still hang in my parents’ house! Over the years I have worked as a cartoonist, a lawyer, and in education, but I always continued my art. When our lives are difficult or hard to understand, it is especially important for artists to help people around them think about what is happening and find comfort. This is why I have written stories to help children, including my own, understand all that is happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read my stories and see other art I have made on my website, www.deanasobel.com.
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 19th year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the Legislative Chair for the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor. She has been recognized in her home state of New Jersey and nationally for her community-based initiative called “The Community Café: A Conversation That Matters.” Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award. Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty. Follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.
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