Bacteria in Our World

April 1, 2020
Grades 2-5 With its mix of microscopically close-up photos, stock images, and chipper cartoon illustrations, this entry in the Under the Microscope series (4 titles) seeks to provide kids with a base-level understanding of bacteria while dispelling rumors or fears they may have about the subject. The introductory two-page chapters explain what bacteria are and the tools scientists use to study them; the following pages zoom in (literally) on types of bacteria, where they can be found, and when they are harmful instead of helpful. Two cartoon bacteria characters appear on every page, offering additional facts in speech bubbles; vocabulary words, indicated in-text and often accompanied by pronunciation guides, are defined in a final glossary. Brightly and accessibly designed, this resource helps to distill a more complex science topic for newer readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)