Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by N. Davies

Davies, Nicola. Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes. Illus. Emily Sutton. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print.“Do you know that there are creatures so tiny that millions could fit on this ant’s antenna?” Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes takes a close up look at the invisible world of microorganisms around us. Davies takes this potentially difficult topic and presents it in a way that is accessible to children. This picture book starts by comparing concrete ideas-- the size of a whale to the size of an ant’s antenna-- to help children visualize the size of these microbes. From there, the book goes on to explain that microbes are everywhere, even in volcanoes and our own bodies. Unlike other children’s books about germs, Davis does not focus on presenting microbes as evil monsters, with white blood cell super heroes. Instead, she frankly discusses how some microbes can make you sick, but the majority are “busy doing other things.” This is a nice movement away from the tendency in children’s books to insist that germs, generally, are the bad guys. Davis’ germs are not scary, but they are powerful.Instead of using text to show how to protect against these germs, the illustrator Emily Sutton presents pictures of children washing their hands and using mosquito netting. The watercolour artwork follows two young children exploring the world of microbes. The illustrations are bright, engaging, and effectively enhance and add to the text.Nicola Davis has published a number of children's books about nature, drawing on her expertise as a zoologist. Tiny Creatures is particularly welcome as there are so few options for books of this kind. With its accessible language and simple artwork, this book is a wonderful way to introduce children in kindergarten to grade three to the world of microbes.Highly recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Jenny Plecash