A fast-paced and fun introduction to the mysteries of microbes.
Icky, germy pathogens of all sorts are introduced in this newest addition to the Gross Science series.
Germs are everywhere, in everything, and they are even on you. Millions can fit on a pin point. Germs come in many varieties too, not just as bacteria and viruses most readers are familiar with, but also as fungi and protozoa. Tracing the history of infectious disease, Kay explores early theories of disease spread, the discovery of microorganisms, and ultimately how germ theory was discovered and proven. How our immune system fights off germy invaders and what we can do to help are also discussed along with plenty more interesting tidbits about humans’ relationships with microbes. In introducing these complex science topics, Kay shows great respect for his readers: The text does not shy away from challenging vocabulary but always explains concepts at an approachable level. This book is notable for its inclusion of a nuanced view of the microbiome, acknowledging that germs are not all bad, that their harm depends on context, and that they can even be beneficial. Shiell supplies goofy cartoons of racially diverse humans in varying degrees of health and of greatly magnified germs, supplying them with googly eyes (in varying number) and grins or frowns, depending on circumstance. Though books on germs are plentiful, these germs are a worthwhile addition to science shelves. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fast-paced and fun introduction to the mysteries of microbes. (glossary, index, further reading) (Nonfiction. 7-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0412-5
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2021
A variety show brimming with esoteric and practical information.
Two youngsters embark on a journey peppered with history, trivia, and skits while teaching money lessons.
Meet Mellody and John, the young stars of this currency showcase. Their very first dialogue offers a taste of the intriguing information to come, from the ancient Mayans’ use of cacao beans as payment to the origins of the piggy bank. The book offers a chronologically and geographically broad timeline of the history of money, encompassing the past 3.9 billion years (starting with meteorite crashes that scattered metals—“the very first bank deposit”) and referencing practices across five continents. Readers will find themselves eagerly sharing the facts gleaned here, including the centuries-old origins of terms and expressions still used today. Mellody and John’s fun banter crucially reflects their experiences with money, such as their families’ differing attitudes toward allowances. Both are savers as well as givers, sharing stories about giving to charity. In one especially entertaining section, a cat and a bunny converse in money-related catchphrases that are separately defined at the bottom of each page. Stevens’ watercolors are appropriately realistic and appealing, whether depicting Mellody’s pretend bank or Elizabeth II’s butler ironing a 10-pound note. Messages about money’s use as a means to an end, rather than an end in itself, ensure that readers will think about their own purposes for their savings. Mellody and John are Black.
A variety show brimming with esoteric and practical information. (index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781536224719
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere.
This book is buzzing with trivia.
Follow a swarm of bees as they leave a beekeeper’s apiary in search of a new home. As the scout bees traverse the fields, readers are provided with a potpourri of facts and statements about bees. The information is scattered—much like the scout bees—and as a result, both the nominal plot and informational content are tissue-thin. There are some interesting facts throughout the book, but many pieces of trivia are too, well trivial, to prove useful. For example, as the bees travel, readers learn that “onion flowers are round and fluffy” and “fennel is a plant that is used in cooking.” Other facts are oversimplified and as a result are not accurate. For example, monofloral honey is defined as “made by bees who visit just one kind of flower” with no acknowledgment of the fact that bees may range widely, and swarm activity is described as a springtime event, when it can also occur in summer and early fall. The information in the book, such as species identification and measurement units, is directed toward British readers. The flat, thin-lined artwork does little to enhance the story, but an “I spy” game challenging readers to find a specific bee throughout is amusing.
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere. (Informational picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-500-65265-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
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