When Kitty O’Meara penned her poem about the coronavirus pandemic back in March 2020, she had no idea her words would resonate around the world. After catching the attention of Oprah and Deepak Chopra, And the People Stayed Home solidified its place in the COVID zeitgeist. The world isolated for safety and people found ways to pass the time—reading, gardening, dancing, reflecting. Now, with the help of beautiful illustrations, O’Meara’s words come to life for future generations to remember what happened and encourage everyone to find silver linings, think differently and never lose hope.
“Kitty O’Meara...offers us wisdom that can help during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. She is challenging us to grow."—Deepak Chopra, MD, author, Metahuman
“Kitty O'Meara is the poet laureate of the pandemic"—O, The Oprah Magazine
"An eloquent, heartwarming reflection that will resonate with generations to come... encouragement for a brighter tomorrow."—Kate Winslet
"And the People Stayed Home is an uplifting perspective on the resilience of the human spirit and the healing potential we have to change our world for the better." ––Shelf Awareness
“Images of nature healing show the author’s vision of hope for the future...The accessible prose and beautiful images make this a natural selection for young readers, but older ones may appreciate the work’s deeper meaning.”— Kirkus Reviews
“This is a perfectly illustrated version of a poem that continues to be relevant.”—School Library Journal
“A stunning and peaceful offering of introspection and hope.”—The Children’s Book Review
“It captured the kind of optimism people need right now.”—Esquire (UK)
“Thank you, Kitty O'Meara...for pointing out that at this very moment, this very day, we can seize the opportunity to restore wholeness to our world."—Sy Montgomery, bestselling author of The Good Good Pig and The Soul of an Octopus
“A poem by American writer Kitty O’Meara has deservedly gone viral.”—Edinburgh Evening News
And the People Stayed Home is a beautifully produced picture book featuring Kitty O’Meara’s popular, globally viral prose poem about the coronavirus pandemic, which has a hopeful and timeless message.
Kitty O’Meara, author of And the People Stayed Home, has been called the “poet laureate of the pandemic.” This illustrated children’s book (ages 4-8) will also appeal to readers of all ages.
O’Meara’s thoughtful poem about the pandemic, quarantine, and the future suggests there is meaning to be found in our shared experience of the coronavirus and conveys an optimistic message about the possibility of profound healing for people and the planet. Her words encourage us to look within, listen deeply, and connect with ourselves and the earth in order to heal.
O’Meara, a former teacher and chaplain and a spiritual director, clearly captures important aspects of the pandemic experience. Her words, written in March 2020 and shared on Facebook, immediately resonated nationally and internationally and were widely circulated on social media, covered in mainstream news media, and inspired an outpouring of creativity from musicians, dancers, artists, filmmakers, and more. The many highlights include an original composition by John Corigliano that was premiered by Renée Fleming.
Author Bio Kitty O’Meara lives near Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband, Phillip Hagedorn, their five rescue dogs, three cats, gardens, and books. A former teacher of middle school writing and literature and a hospital and hospice chaplain and currently a spiritual director, O’Meara has been a lifelong writer and artist. And the People StayedHome is her first print book.
Illustrator Bio Co-illustrated by Stefano Di Cristofaro and Paul Pereda. Stefano Di Cristofaro is an illustrator and designer whose works have been widely exhibited. He has illustrated the children’s books Conejo y Conejo, Guachipira va de viaje, and La Sayona y otros cuentos de espantos. Paul Pereda is an illustrator who has primarily worked in video game development and trading card games with clients such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Atari, and MTV.
