Germ Theory for Babies

by Chris Ferrie, Neal Goldstein, Joanna Suder

Overview

A timely and simple explanation of the science behind germs, from the #1 science author for kids

Germ Theory for Babies is an engaging, basic introduction for youngsters (and grownups!) to the complex questions of what germs are and how they spread. Full of scientific information and written by experts, this newest installment of the Baby University board book series is perfect for enlightening the next generation of geniuses about the science of germs. After all, it's never too early to become a scientist!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728234076
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	02/02/2021
Series:	Baby University Series
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	108,981
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

Chris Ferrie is an award-winning physicist and Senior Lecturer for Quantum Software and Information at the University of Technology Sydney. He has a Masters in applied mathematics, BMath in mathematical physics and a PhD in applied mathematics. He lives in Australia with his wife and children.

Neal Goldstein is a PhD epidemiologist who focuses on infectious diseases. Joanna Suder is a public health attorney with expertise in disease control and maternal & child health.

Joanna Suder is a public health attorney with expertise in disease control and maternal & child health.

Editorial Reviews

03/15/2021

In this latest installment of the Baby University board book series, mathematician and scientist Ferrie collaborates with epidemiologist Goldstein and public health expert Suder for an introductory explanation of germs and sickness. The collaborators offer a brief history (“We used to think getting sick was caused by bad air”) before identifying germs as the tiny “creatures that can make us sick,” and explaining where some can be found and how they spread. Each page features simple, geometric-based digital illustrations by Ferrie, composed in bright colors against ample white space. Names of germs (“Aspergillus”), multisyllabic diction (“Wear a mask when necessary”), and high-level concepts (microscope use) make this an advanced read for the intended audience, but its clear sanitation guide may help normalize proper hand-washing and sickness-prevention techniques for a notoriously hygiene-avoidant demographic. Ages up to 3. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"The basic germ science book that we all never knew we needed." — Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review

From the Publisher

2021-05-05
A basic primer on germs, how they spread, their prevention, and hygiene.

As in other books in the Baby University series, balls are used to represent the disembodied heads, here of a “healthy person” and a “sick person,” with brown and white skin, respectively. More circles enclose magnified views of viruses and bacteria, which are shown in simplified cartoon form. While the authors never shy away from big words (including coronavirus, bacteriophage, and streptococcus), they never mention the words bacteria or disease, instead opting for the simplified term germ. Nor do they mention the common names of typical childhood sicknesses, but they do spend two pages outlining the obsolete miasma theory, accompanying it with a mystifying image that appears to be meant to look like a murky swamp. While the art is graphically simple, the use of calendars, clocks, and other symbols may only confuse the putative baby audience still learning to name the objects and the concepts they represent. The last few pages are the most useful and explain what youngsters can do to prevent the spread of disease, including washing hands, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick.

The “baby” moniker does a disservice to content more developmentally appropriate and useful for an older audience. (Board book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews