Children’s book on Covid-19 is a sell-out success story

Author Ryan Wilson at Stormont with MP Carla Lockhart and Education Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Weir

The book, ‘The Year the World Got Sick’, was initially written by Ryan Wilson for pupils of Carrick PS in Lurgan during the COVID-19 lockdown to help them understand what was happening.

It centres on two children - Healthy Harry and Sneezy Suzie - as they enter lockdown with no set date to return to school and follows their journey through lockdown and reveals who the real heroes of COVID-19 are. The video of Ryan reading his book, which is available on Carrick’s facebook page has amassed over 6000 organic views, which then prompted interest from outside the school’s community. The book, which was sold for parents of Carrick pupils sold out within two days, has now been published and is currently in production. It will soon be available on Amazon.

A meeting was recently facilitated by MP Carla Lockhart at Stormont between Ryan and Education Minister Peter Weir as well as with First Minister Arlene Foster. Ryan received endorsements from both Ministers for his book.

He said: “I can not believe the response gained from the storytelling video on Facebook and as such, I am working hard to make the book widely available for those wishing to purchase their copy via Amazon. I am delighted that children right across Northern Ireland are seeking comfort from the story of Healthy Harry and Sneezy Suzie as they go through lock down in ways similar to the children of Northern Ireland.

“Furthermore, I am so appreciative of those that have reached out to me in support of the book and thoroughly enjoyed my day at Stormont in which I gained endorsement from local MP Carla Lockhart, the Education Minister, Peter Weir and First Minister, Arlene Foster.”

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