If ever there was a time we needed Mister Rogers, right? Chock full of inspiring messages about kindness, caring, and reliance on our neighbors, the classic TV icon is perfectly timely right now, as our communities and kids navigate the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic. While some of our challenges have changed since the show first aired in 1968, Mister Rogers Neighborhood has always offered children and their families a way to understand and talk about difficult topics—all while finding hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to fill your home with the nostalgic comfort that only a certain man in a certain red cardigan can bring. Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell just released a brand new book called "Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers" (the only authorized picture book biography of Fred Rogers, by the way), which tells the tale of Fred Rogers' early life and the creation of his historic show. Brought to life with playful, scribbly illustrations and soft watercolors paired with exclusively published archival photographs, kids get a behind-the-scenes look at the thought, care, and hard work that went into the production, along with a much bigger lesson about what it means to truly come together.

Can't wait for the book? Make the most of your time at home with the activities below—brought to you by the team behind Matthew Cordell's beautiful book—from watching a classic episode of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, to writing a poem about being special, to printing out a sign to hang on your door when you're busy daydreaming. So, get to work, and make sure to place your order for "Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers"

When I heard that video chatting with a fairy was a feasible activity for my imaginative and increasingly stir-crazy four year old, I couldn't have jumped at the opportunity any faster. Enter Happily Ever Laughter, a California-based cast of fantastical kids party entertainers—think faeries, pirates, mermaids, princesses, and even safari explorers—who have pivoted to virtual playdates and celebrations during the stay at home order. Available for a one-on-one chat with your kiddo while you put the finishing touches on that presentation, or a group call that's worthy of a quarantine era birthday bash or just a special hangout with deeply missed friends, this gang of unique and engaging characters is now available nationwide with as little as 4 hours notice.

If the COVID-19 outbreak is keeping you up at night, you're probably wondering how your kids are coping. Well, according to pediatric specialists at Connecticut Children's, ranked one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the stress of this pandemic could have a negative impact on a child’s development. The good news: it doesn't have to.

"We all deal with regular stresses on a daily basis," Connecticut Children’s developmental pediatrician Robert D. Keder, MD told us. "A little bit is a good thing; it motivates us to study for a test or run a little faster in a game. Some stresses are stronger, but still bearable when we have positive protective relationships. What’s happening with COVID-19 right now falls into what developmental specialists call 'toxic stress.'"

By itself, toxic stress can negatively impact children's development—leading to challenges in behavioral and physical health—but, fortunately, this kind of stress can also be buffered by building resilience. Read on to find out how pediatricians at the only health system in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children recommend you help kids build that resilience and cope with the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic.