Meath schoolchildren encouraged to write about their experience of the pandemic

School communities in Meath are being encouraged to write about their experience of the pandemic for a special project will capture school children’s experience of the Coronavirus pandemic in their own words to create a local historical record of a time that has changed the world.

The Covid Book Project, an ambitious writing initiative was recently launched Irish publishing company Emu Ink who has developed online resources to help school children formulate, edit, and proofread their Covid stories.

At the end of the project, the school will have a book that documents the lives of the children and staff within the school community during the pandemic.

Founder and CEO, Kells woman Emer Cleary said, “We are delighted to be offering this wonderful opportunity to children in Meath and throughout Ireland, who will write a short story or poem about their life during the current crisis. We will then publish the work of these pupils, who are quite literally writing Meath’s history from their own viewpoints.

“The finished book will act as a public record of this time and it will be available in the school and wider community for posterity. Future generations of students will gain a unique insight into the pandemic from the accounts of the students who have lived through it at their school.”

As well as creating a unique first-hand account of children’s experience, The Covid Book Project will encourage them to express their full range of emotions and help the adults in their lives understand how they feel about the last six months.

The Covid Book Project was inspired by the response from children to Emu Ink’s call to get writing during lockdown.

Ms Cleary explained, "I believe that writing is one of the greatest forms of self-expression, so we wanted to get children writing about their feelings around lockdown or simply to offer them an avenue to escape all of that and write something completely unrelated.

“We had a huge response and were bowled over by the standard of work. Interestingly, a common theme was how much they missed school! It was this response that inspired Emu Ink to develop The Covid Book Project.”

The Covid Book Project is open to primary and secondary schools in Ireland. Participating schools will gain access to Emu Ink’s online resources or teachers can simply set the children the task of writing a story or poem about life during this time.

Schools have a choice of a 'traditional' paperback anthology, which will fit the work of approximately 120 children as well as artwork on the front and back cover or an A4 book in full colour, the cost of which is generally covered by the parents or school community.

To recognise the contribution that the children make to The Covid Book Project, Emu Ink have partnered with Starbucks and Leisureplex.

Each child who participates will receive a €10 Leisureplex voucher and a Starbucks voucher for a hot chocolate and a coffee for their accompanying grown-up.