Looking for books on microbes? Most folks start with “germ” – a term making you squirm. (I can’t resist the rhyme this time.) Generally, you’ll open germ books up and learn about the importance of washing your hands. This “Reading Round-up” features several newer “germ” kids’ books, including ones that balance the stories of sickness and “germs” with non-pathogenic microbes and scientific advances! Here’s one microbiologist’s reviews.

Germs Up Close

Sara Levine. Millbrook Press. (2021), Ages 4-8.

“A classical reference book on common pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi”.

Summary: Germs Up Close is a great reference book for kids looking for lists of microbes that cause disease. Made up of sections based on the broad classifications of microbes, there is an initial introduction to the microbial group followed by profiles of individual microbes of that group. Each microbe has their own “rap sheet”: Name, pronunciation, appearance, habitat, diseases it causes, more to know.

What I like:

• Covers the different groups of microbes – not just bacteria!
• Pronunciations – if kids can learn dinosaur names, they can certainly learn the names of microbes!
• The “more to know” section often includes non-pathogenic information! This balance allows for kids to link the dual nature of many microbes we usually associate only with disease.
• Colorized Scanning Electron Micrographs mixed in with graphical rendered images from photos.
• Nice “When germs get in” section composed of 3 parts: your body’s defense, stopping bacteria spread with handwashing, and vaccines.
• Detailed, clear glossary!
• If I were using this in a classroom – I’d challenge students to make “trading cards” or “rap sheets” for each of the microbes!

Germy Science: The Sick Truth about Getting Sick (and Staying Healthy)

Edward Kay, author and Mike Shiell, illustrator. Kids Can Press. (2021), Ages 7-11.

Summary:  “A kids encyclopedia of “germs” from ancient to modern times.”

Germy Science: The Sick Truth about Getting Sick (and Staying Healthy) is a great next “germ reference book” for kids interested in harmful microbes throughout the ages. This is a fabulous follow up to Germs Up Close. Similar to Gut Garden: A Journey into the Wonderful World of your Microbiome, the text is divided into larger chapters that then have one-page snapshots of information.

Topics include:

• where and what kinds of germs affect human health
• the history of disease and linking disease to “germs”
• how our body and science protect us from disease
• antibiotic resistance

What I like:

• The historical framework the methods and people behind how our understanding of microbes (mostly pathogens) has changed over human history
• Explains tough subjects in a clear and approachable way.
• Side bars provide additional information
• Solid information on vaccination methods (from variolation to today’s vaccines!)
• Explaination of herd immunity
• Glossary and index

The Magnificent Makers Book #4: The Great Germ Hunt.

Theanne Griffith, author and Reggie Brown, illustrator. Random House Kids. (2021), Ages 7-10. F&P Text Level Q.

Summary: 

The Great Germ Hunt is book #4 in the Magnificent Makers series by Dr. Theanne Griffith. These are fun science books that explore a different STEM theme each book. Violet and Pablo find themselves transported into the Maker Maze each science class to solve science challenges. Rainbow haired – Dr. Crisp gives them their educational challenges to solve the Maker Maze and be able to return to class.

Maker Maze Challenges included:

• Classifying bacteria, fungi, and viruses
• Making models of different viruses,
• Testing how to stop germ spread using gloves and masks and an instant incubator

What I like:

• Readers can work through the activities along with Violet and Pablo.
• Supplemental hands-on activities continue the fun
• Solid info in an engaging way
• Interesting, diverse and differently-abled characters

Props to all three germ books

Building off some of the information on these three books, pathogens can be problematic. However, we have many levels of protection.

• Our bodies have layers of defense!
  • Skin, the immune system, our beneficial microbes, even an internal temperature of 98.7 F/37C. All of these things make our bodies a dangerous place for many microbes.
• Add to our natural defenses, knowledge and scientific advances!
  • Understanding microbial transmission through air, water, other animals, is huge! Once we identified SARS-CoV2 as being transmitted through the air, HEPA filters and masks decreased viral spread! 
• Development of effective vaccines have saved countless lives. The power of new mRNA vaccines, the speed they are made, the ease of modifying them, is tremendous.

Pathogenic microbes are a teeny, tiny part of the microbial world. Most microbes don’t associate with humans at all. To learn about other microbes and microbial communities, take a look at these other kid book reviews: human microbiome, microbial “biographies”, microbiologist bios. There are adult book recommendations too!