If you live in the southeastern US, then you are probably glued to the Weather Channel as Hurricane Florence approaches this week in trying to prepare your family for what this storm will bring. Whether you’re evacuating or holding steady and hitting up every Target and Walmart in search for just about any necessities you can get your hands on, you’re probably in a slight panic mode. What is my evacuation zone? How do I get my family of five and two dogs out of town in time? Should I say or should I go? (cue The Clash) What do I do with the kids if schools are closed? What supplies do we need? How do I prepare my family? How do I explain this to my kids?!

Making a child feel safe is one of the most important factors in a child’s development and as parents it is our job to provide that environment. If we are in panic mode, our children notice. So, when it comes to disasters and emergencies, we’ve compiled a few of our award-winning books to help teach your children about emergency preparedness and natural disasters in a way that they understand.

A Family Guide To First Aid And Emergency Preparedness
American Red Cross

As a parent, your family’s health and safety is your top priority. It’s a big job but with A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness from the American Red Cross, help is at your fingertips. Trusted first aid information helps you quickly manage common medical emergencies like allergic reactions, asthma, choking broken bones, nosebleeds, knocked out teeth and more. Plus, the accompanying DVD enhances learning with step-by-step demonstrations. You’ll also learn how to guide your family through disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires and even terrorist events. You’ll find comprehensive checklists that help you create a family emergency plan and build an emergency preparedness kit. A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness takes a positive approach to learning-fun interactive activities get the whole family involved, helping children respond to emergencies confidently. Your family can be smarter, better prepared and safer.

Purchase here

Imagine If… I Could Calm a Storm
Kathy Speight, Camden Speight

An intriguing series told from the perspective of a hand truck, “Dolly Becomes a Scout” will capture the interest and hearts of her readers, ages 5-11. She becomes entwined in all aspects of her family’s life and they begin to treat her like she’s one of the 3 kids, ages 3, 6 & 8. Dolly is strong, dependable and brave. Each book is laced with spelling words and word games and puzzles included in each book along with a brief discussion on topics in the books. The kid language and Dolly’s sense of humor is a big hit with children.

Purchase here

Yesterday We Had a Hurricane / Ayer Tuvimos un Huracon
Diedre McLaughlin Mercier

Yesterday We Had A Hurricane tells the experience of a hurricane as seen through the eyes of a young child. Young readers will learn all about these “big storms that come from the ocean.” They will find out about the effects of wind and rain, as well as some of the more lighthearted and practical alternatives to doing without electricity.

Purchase here

Hurricane; Jamar’s Story
Lynn Salsi, Joe Campbell

As a hurricane bears down on Jamar’s town, his family shows him how to prepare and ride out this natural disaster. Includes hurricane/disaster preparedness.

Purchase here

Elephant Wind
Heather L. Beal

Lily and Niko Rabbit’s childcare class is at the elementary school science fair when a tornado warning happens. They learn how a tornado looks like an elephant trunk and sounds like a train. They also learn where they can go to be safe. When they find out the tornado damaged a neighbor’s house, they come together to help in their own charming way.

Reading this book is a great way for parents, childcare providers, and caregivers, to talk to toddlers and preschool children about tornados in a non-scary way. Children can easily relate with these characters and their story gives children the tools and information they need to help stay safe should a tornado happen.

Purchase here

Tummy Rumble Quake
Heather L. Beal

Lily and Niko Rabbit’s childcare class is practicing for the Great ShakeOut. They learn that the Great ShakeOut helps prepare them for an earthquake. They also learn the basics of what causes an earthquake and how it causes things to fall and break. It also can sound like a really loud tummy rumble. They also learn where they can go and what they should to (drop, cover, and hold on) to be safe inside buildings, outside, and in a car. At the end of the day they feel comfortable recognizing what an earthquake is and how to be safe should it happen.

Reading this book is a great way for parents, childcare providers, and caregivers, to talk to toddlers and preschool children about earthquake safety in a non-frightening way. Children can easily relate with these characters and their story gives children the tools and information they need to help stay safe and be prepared should an earthquake happen.

Purchase here