WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson women's basketball alumni Brittany Harden '16 and BriAnna Lucas '13 are teaming up to confront a challenge much larger than any opponent they faced on the hardwood – the coronavirus pandemic.

Nationally, students are returning to school for the first time in months, and with fear, frustration and uncertainty ahead, the former Pioneers have published a book that addresses questions and concerns school-aged children may have about the pandemic.

"The goal of the book is for children to know how to effectively respond to the negativity surrounding Covid-19," said Harden, an elementary school guidance counselor and mental health clinician who recently completed her first season as an assistant coach for the William Paterson women's basketball program. "I wanted to make sure children's self-esteem is not diminished due to things their peers say out of fear or out of impulse. I want children to be self-reflective and to have an arsenal of effective coping skills to help them overcome the current trauma and post-trauma of Covid-19."

Harden is currently is a Ph.D. student in psychology, so naturally, she writes all the time. However, she knew she needed someone to bring her book to life for her first foray into writing for children. With that in mind, she contacted her friend and fellow Pioneer, BriAnna Lucas, to create the illustrations.

From a very young age, BriAnna Lucas loved to draw. Her family was always supportive, but it was her grandfather, William "Bill" Lucas, who fueled her passion.

"My grandfather was a very talented artist," commented Lucas, a two-time All-American and 2019 inductee into the William Paterson Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. "He is the reason I developed my passion for art and the inspiration for my graphic design company, BYL Visual Stylist. As for this project with Brittany, I knew from the start it was a great idea."

Writing a book on a complex and emotional subject can be a difficult task, but it proved to be an enjoyable experience for the pair. "Most people tell you not to mix business with pleasure," shared Harden, "but doing business with my friend was beyond a pleasure. We both want this book to be a success, and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything."

The book, It's not you, it's COVID! A self-help children's book on how to effectively respond to Covid-19, is currently available for purchase. For a direct link, please click here.