Italian children's museums publish free coronavirus guide for kids

Four Italian children's museums—Children's Museum of Verona, Explora Children's Museum of Rome, MuBa Children's Museum of Milan, and La Città dei bambini e dei ragazzi of Genoa—have collaborated with the international association Hands On! to produce a free illustrated book titled "Guida Galattica al Coronavirus, per bambini e bambine curiosi" (Galactic Guide to Coronavirus for Curious Children). The book explains COVID-19 to young children using simple images and direct concepts, framing the virus as a tiny microbe that has disrupted daily life. It emphasizes good practices to prevent spread and is available for free download on the websites of all participating museums and Hands On!. A bilingual version allows distribution across Europe, and the association invites external contributions for further translations to broaden reach. The initiative responds to the lockdown in Italy, where museums have shifted to virtual projects. Hands On! is an international network supporting children's cultural activities, with members in 30 countries. The book aims to satisfy children's curiosity in a playful yet meaningful way, featuring fantasy figures, heroes, and villains. The project was reported by Valentina Muzi on Artribune.