Unexpected Journey: a Covid-19 tale

"Haven't you heard about the virus?"

When her BFF asks this question at the bus stop, there was no way ten year old Emilia could know that the global pandemic of Covid-19 was about to turn her life upside down.

Based on true events, this story follows the journey of Emilia, a 'TCK' or Third Culture Kid, who lives in South Korea with her teacher mother, where they both enjoy their international school community. Emilia is from New Zealand, but she's lived outside of her native country for longer than she's lived in it. She loves her life in Korea and travelling the world with her family.
Life is wonderful until the rapidly spreading global pandemic of Covid-19 prompts her mother to take Emilia from her home in Korea to her home in New Zealand, after the Lunar New Year holiday of 2020.

Emilia's life changes without warning and the range of heart wrenching feelings she experiences is overwhelming.

Back in New Zealand, and missing her friends, school and apartment in Korea, Emilia has to face the unplanned reality that she may not be able to go back and instead has to start a new life and school in New Zealand. Despite feeling safe in New Zealand, she wonders how long it will be before the pandemic follows her there too?

An Unexpected Journey - a Covid tale is closely based on the real experiences of the author and her daughter, who like many families around the world faced upheaval and anxiety in the wave of the global pandemic in early 2020. This story deals tenderly with real emotions of fear, confusion and grief and the inspiring resilience of a child who has to adapt overnight to a new reality. The transformational story of Emilia honestly expresses the pain and confusion of sudden transition from a child's point of view and celebrates the comfort that family and community can provide. It honors the story of an everyday girl hero who could be your neighbour, classmate or relative!

An Unexpected Journey - a Covid tale is a story for anyone who has been affected by change, and specifically addresses themes to do with belonging, identity, and relocation.

Ideal readers of this story are:

• Third Culture kids and their parents
• Covid-19 refugees
• Expatriates/Global Nomads
• Educators
• International schools

An Unexpected Journey - a Covid-19 tale, written by Naomi Barton (B.A.Hons, Dip. Teaching) is a story which demonstrates the healing and empowering nature of storytelling. With extensive experience in theatre, high school drama and philosophy education as well as childbirth education, Naomi combines her skills and experience with her passion for authentic voices to tell a touching story of being a hero in your own life. Having spent years working in international schools in the Middle East and South Korea, Naomi knows the value of stories to embolden self-identity and transform upsetting experiences into tools of empowerment for young children, teenagers and adults.