The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes

by Steve Mould

In this funny and fact-packed introductory science book, kids will meet the bacteria, viruses, and other germs and microbes that are all around, but too small for us to see.

What do a squid that glows, fungus that grows, and tiny creatures in the soil under your toes all have in common? They're all part of the world of microbiology! Find out about bacteria, viruses, and other germs and microbes in this engaging introductory book for kids. The Bacteria Book explores why we need bacteria, and introduces readers to its microbial mates--viruses, fungi, algae, archaea, and protozoa.

Bacteria are the most important living organisms on Earth. Without them, we wouldn't have bread or cheese, and our bodies wouldn't be able to work how we need them to. Microbes keep us and our world running in surprising ways. This book will show you how, through real-life examples of microbiology in action.

The Bacteria Book is a fun and informative introduction to a STEAM subject that brings kids up-close to the big world of tiny science. With remarkable photography, kooky character illustrations, and lots of fun facts that toe the line between "ew, gross!" and "oh, cool!," it's the only book on microbiology young scientists won't want to put down.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Biology

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2018

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting and well written book full of amazing facts and fabulous illustrations.

[József-Sándor Török · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the privilege of translating this book and I cannot recommend it enough for tiny readers. It's an immersive journey into the world of microbiology, covering a multitude of topics, from bacteria to protozoa to vaccines and antibiotics. Even more so, it offers advice on how to avoid infections and getting sick. Definitely a great read for every age, as far as you're interested in the basics of microbiology.

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic information for kids and adults.

[Jacklyn (ReadingBliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this in a large book haul of educational books and the cover was an attention-getter for me and my 5 year old. The illustrations are just as captivating on the inside as well. We were so enthralled, my 5 year old asked me to read him the whole thing right then. Of course, it's 60 pages, so I couldn't do that, but we were excited to start reading 2 pages a night (every two pages is a new educational theme about bacteria) at bedtime. With a total of 60ish pages, we finished in a month (but each reading only takes about 5-10 minutes). He would beg for more because this book made it so much fun to learn about bacteria and germs. I learned quite a lot, and when his grandma came to visit for a night, she learned something new that night too. For children with older grade school kids (my oldest is 6 now), I think they would have fun with it, but I think it's a great fit for as young as 4ish. The format is very inviting and all the pages are covered in vibrant colored pictures that are tasteful, current, and relative to the content discussed. The pictures help make the information come alive so it is more approachable and easier to remember the content. I would highly recommend. My favorite part was that this book accidentally started a non-fiction bedtime story tradition in our home. We had so much fun that I picked up many more books like it like the DK eyewitness books or USborne (and anything else really, that follows a similar format or teaching method with the information) and we read two pages every night before we read our fairytales etc. One of the best educational books I ever bought because it sparked a light in my son for learning and reading and what more could I ask of a book? Right now, we are in the midst of Human Anatomy (by DK, I think, which you can find both on Amazon).

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This illustrated book is really helpful to understand the basic microbiology. It is not only for kids but also for adults who want to have a primary knowledge about the microscopic world of animals..
The topics are covered from the very basics. Bacteria, protozoa, virus, algae, fungus, archae, vaccine- are discussed in a way easily comprehended by young readers.
The mind blowing pictures of the tiny tiny microscopic creatures shown in this book sometimes make us "wow" and sometimes make us feeling really creepy and gross..
Are all these microbes bad for us? Not really! The bacteria living in your guts help you digest foods..
Though they are so small that you can't see them with your naked eye, don't underestimate them.
There are many of them which can be deadly!
Did you know your mouth contains bacteria more than there are people in the world?
Did you know most people have mites in their eyes which feed on the dead cells of their eyelashes? Ewe!!
Did you know there is a fungi which cause ants to turn into "Zombie" ants?!
Welcome to this eerie yet wonderful world of microbes.

[Edward Stilon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is Steve mould’s best book, featuring microbes and tiny animals, it is definitely a must have for children who like science.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peak into the most mysterious and yet most consequential world.

It seems great for any age as long as they have the interest. This is my 3 year old's new favorite book (he's become very interested in germs in the covid-19 era). As I read it to him, and he proclaims, "This is a great book!"

It's not simplistic either. I imagine it's written for much older kids, maybe middle school age.

My parents and I learned a lot from this book, and we're science minded though physics is our normal focus.

There are stunning real images of microbes, great brief explanations, full of applications which touch our daily lives, and a few cartoon drawings of microbes to bring humor and character to the viruses. It's a perfect resource for a budding microbiologist!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. This turned out a perfect choice by my 5-year-old. He liked the colorful, monster-filled book, but turned out to be really fascinated by the explanations of germs and viruses, especially. I read this to him 3 days in a row. And that doesn't count the extra times he looked at the pictures on his own. Thanks to our public library for opening up my little guy's world a little more to the wonders of science at an age-appropriate level.

[Andres Varela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hay muchos ideas acertadas pero también muchas erradas o desactualizadas, el título del libro no corresponde con su contenido, las ilustraciones son buenas pero muy conceptuales. Genera mas confusión que información, esta tan mal escrito que termina confundiendo.

[Kate prefers books to people · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent! It covers a wide variety of microbes (viruses, bacteria, archea, fungi, algae, and protozoa). There are lots of good diagrams. My son especially enjoyed the bacteria illustration showing the cell wall, membrane, flagellum, and DNA.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not MY favorite book, my 6 year old thought it was the most amazing thing ever.

[Dewi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cocok untuk menjelaskan aneka mikroba pada anak-anak.

[Yassin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to learn all about viruses and bacteria!!!

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for basic info

[Vedant Parashar Parashar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 5 times 🥰

[Fairy Biba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love all DK books, so entertaining, full of awesome pics and drawing, it really makes it fun to learn! ++++++++

[Melissa Meyer]

Nonna's Review at Stories Matter
nonnaandtheboss.com

[Zurielle Varghese · Rating 4 out of 5]

For its purpose, straight 5 stars.

For my personal enjoyment, 4.

Still great book tho, would recommend.

[S S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but an informative book on the invisible world of microorganisms in and around us. I learnt a couple of new things!

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, factually checks out. Nice organization and structure. I somehow hated the artwork and graphic design in general, but totally solid and does as it puports.

[Rebecca Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as did my kids. Great introduction to this difficult to explain topic.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well put together.

[Tina]

Magpies review