Eamer, Claire. Inside Your Insides: A Guide to the Microbes That Call You Home. illus. by Marie-Ève Tremblay. 36p. glossary. index. Kids Can. Sept. 2016. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781771383325.
Gr 3-6 –For readers who are curious about the trillions of microbes they carry around inside and outside their body, this book provides clear information in a friendly, amusing style that is a blast to read. (“Where will you find your collection of microbes? Everywhere! They’re inside and outside of you, in your nose and mouth, in your lungs, between your toes, in your hair and eyelashes, and snuggled in the warm hollow behind your ears.”) The text, which is divided into spreads, is very easy to navigate. Among the topics covered are the common types of microbes, the importance of microbes to our well-being, why it doesn’t make sense to wage war against all microbes, and the work of researchers past and present that contributes to our understanding of them. Each spread consists of a title, written text accompanied by illustrations that are sometimes humorous and sometimes strictly informative, jokes, and a “Did You Know?” sidebar feature that adds humor and additional content. A great deal of science vocabulary is skillfully introduced. A concluding spread provides advice about how to keep your microbiome happy and discusses current research aimed at maintaining a healthy microbiome and even fixing one that has gone wrong. This book is a winning mix of scientific information, humor, and fascinating facts. VERDICT An excellent example of engaging science writing, this title would be a useful mentor text for young science writers and a fine addition to science programs dealing with the topic of the human body.
This review was published in the School Library Journal July 2016 issue.We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing