Germs

by John Devolle

This book will blow your child's mind! Big Science explained simply

The perfect picturebook to introduce little minds to big ideas!

Germs combines bold, colourful illustrations with jokes and incredible science facts to introduce young readers to the fascinating, yucky world of... you guessed germs! In just 32 pages they'll learn about viruses and bacteria, vaccines and antibiotics, as well as finding out the answers to such important questions Why shouldn't we sneeze in people's faces? Should you eat that old sausage you found in your coat pocket? (Spoiler no) and What were toilets like in the olden days?

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Science, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2023

Reviews

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It must be difficult to write a nonfiction book for young children that will both instruct and keep a child engaged in continuing to read. Germs by John Devolle (Pushkin Press, June 2023) is a nonfiction picture book that nicely balances facts with humor and amusing bright geometric illustrations.


I was amazed at the amount of information included in this picture book for children: facts about viruses, how one contracts viruses and avoids getting the germs, types of microorganisms, vaccines and antibiotics, and good bacteria in our bodies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a children’s picture book at such a young level tackle so many subtopics in one book! The best part is that the text is broken up with subtle (and not so subtle) humor to keep the reader entertained. For example, one page explains that you should not eat that sausage that you found in your pocket from last winter. Another page adds a footnote that it’s not a good idea to lick a moldy orange.

I’ll say the funniest part of the book is the discussion about what life was like before germs were understood. There is a very silly spread mentioned how people got sick in the past because they didn’t know how to avoid germs . . . complete with images of a knight on a toilet-bucket and a vomiting princess. In fact, these types of over-the-top illustrations keep the book visually interesting. The bright and colorful images are certainly memborable, and while the geometric art may not be to everyone’s taste, it nicely captures the humor in this slim book about, of all things, germs.

Germs would be a hit in a science storytime to leap into a unit about microorganisms, illness, vaccines, and more. I wish those who don’t quite understand vaccines would give this a look too. Our world can use more straight-forward but engaging nonfiction, like this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only series that seems capable of delivering such high-brow science to such a young-in-age audience strikes again, and without any mention of the coronasniffles. Yes, this is a primer into viruses, antibodies, Penicillin, and all the rest, conveyed with the usual simple text. Yes, the visuals seem more busy, but they only convey the minute scale of things here, and the industry with which our body can fight off germs and viruses, and leave us happy as Larry. And Larry, his fellow teachers and all their students can only appreciate this wonderful range of books – never patronising or over-simplifying, they bring the big themes of our knowledge to the smaller minds, and can only be of immense benefit in the long run.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brightly illustrated little book decodes some recently scary words and helps kidz make sense of some of the nagging that grownups do. Like wash your hands and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. It explains that germs are what are called viruses, bacteria, and fungus while also explaining that some of these make you sick while others are good (think cheese and yogurt). Loved it! The illustrations are delightful, imaginative, striking, and colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially toa school or a public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children's Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. It took a serious subject and managed to make it simple and approachable for anyone from 3 to 103. The illustrations were brilliant, and drove all those germ facts home.

Want to know what is in that ouchy flu shot? Or what it was like to have yucky diarrhea from food poisoning back before running water and flushing toilets? Maybe discover that not all germs are villains, and there are bazillions inside you RIGHT NOW? This book has all the answers, and more.

Children's non-fiction is a hard genre to get right, because so many facts aren't that interesting to little minds. Bravo to Devolle for taking such a timely subject and giving it the pizzazz no kid could resist.

[Anita Salát · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why kids are so into stinky, disgusting and yucky things, but my daughter's eyes definitely sparkled when I told her that we were going to read about germs and bacteria. The drawings are hilarious in this book - colourful, funny and memorable, and the language is informative yet not too scientific. It grabbed my kid's attention and glued her to the pages. Science and learning in general is fun with books like this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an Advance Review Copy.

[Jess | dapper.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many children’s books about germs but I really enjoy the one simplified what we know about germs and made it understandable and interesting for children. By using funny language that kids relate to, this book brings germs to the kids and talks about not just the bad germs but those good ones too like gut bacteria. The illustrations are adorable and funny (even if they’re sometimes gross) and definitely geared toward children. This is a solid addition to the germ stories we’ve seen previously for children.

[Amberleigh Million • a.millionbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this children's book! I've been trying for a while to explain to my young children the importance of washing our hands to get rid of germs. This book was very helpful in explaining the harm that viruses and bacteria can do. They enjoyed the illustration and the writing was simple for them to understand (they are 3 and 5.) I highly recommend this book and I think it would be perfect for the classroom.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press, Pushkin Children's Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Katrisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great intro to germs for little kids. I like the illustrations - the little germ bugs are adorable and not scary. I also liked how the book talks about how not all bacteria etc. are bad. The book is informative but in an easy going way. I would definitely read this one to my kinders when we talk about the importance of hand washing and not picking your nose. Thank you Netgalley for this advance copy!

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book set on a preschool level that explains viruses, bacteria, etc. This book is full of colorful illustrations and is presented in a way to make preschoolers laugh, but also maybe remember to wash their hands. This book would be a great addition to a home library.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did a fairly good job of explaining a difficult concept in a way children would understand.

I liked the kind of quirky art style.

I found the image at the end of going to bed thinking of all the thousands of organisms in and on your body very disconcerting. That is not what I want to be thinking of as I try to fall asleep and I think could be frightening for some children.

[Elizabeth Seibel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you #netgalley for this advanced copy of #germs. It was a cute introduction to the germs and our body. Definitely a good fit for littles. It goes into some detail about different germs, but not enough to overload.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative book and very colorful. I like that it talked about the bad and good germs that are out there and in our bodies. I would recommend this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple and straightforward facts, love the big bold pictures with deep colors

[Jade]

Read this to my nephew so yes I am logging this

[Reading With Yeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Microbiology topic is explained in the simplest way for young readers! The vector-styled illustration is both amusing and engaging!
This book can be a first step for young readers to learn about germs and the preventative steps.
A must-have book for a preschool library.