This is a great intro to germs and science for kids. With COVID-19 affecting all our lives, it was helpful to have images to describe what germs and viruses are and kept the kids engaged and wanting to learn more!

This book is being published at the perfect time. While the world is still figuring out how to function during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book explains everything from germs to how to stay healthy in terms that children can understand. A lot of misinformation has been spread about COVID-19 over the past year, so this book would honestly be a great way to help adults understand the difference between the flu and coronavirus, too. The inclusion of micrographs depicting different bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses makes for a very colorful and interesting read.

Personally, I had no idea that tooth cavities were caused by bacteria. We all are familiar with sugar causing cavities, but how many of us are aware that it's actually the acid excreted by strep bacteria while they eat that sugar that burns holes into our teeth? I've had a lot of cavities but have never had strep throat, despite being exposed many times, so I find myself wanting to investigate this further thanks to this book.

The only question I have for the author is why some germs are explained in great detail, while others are simply labeled on the micrograph. For instance, salmonella is a very well-known bacterium (being the reason why we are very cautious with raw chicken), but it simply labeled and not described. Of course, the author cannot be expected to cover every bacterium, but if it's labeled in the book, it could be explained to some degree.

Overall, this book is very informative and will hopefully provide many children with a greater understanding of germs and how to prevent their transmission.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Millbrook Press.

Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC. This was a great primer on germs! I loved the bright pictures and backgrounds, and found the text to be informative but not too intimidating for kids. We've been looking for ways to explain germs and coronavirus to the kids at school, and I can see this book being a focal point...maybe with some fun science experiments to go with! Will definitely be purchasing a copy for our school library.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

What an incredible book to offer to budding scientists! The photographs are incredible and the explanations and vocabulary are ideal for young learners. I can't wait to add this to my class library - I know it will be used often to help explain germs, covid, and even how different text features help us become better readers!

A great introductory children's book to the world of germs and microbiology. I find this book is coming out at a time where learning about germs and viruses can only be beneficial to us all. As most parents know, children and their schools are basically petri-dishes of the worst kind and having children learn even a fraction of what germs and the like are and how they function is a huge step in a positive direction. This book honestly gave me the heebie-jeebies just because the idea of getting sick scares me but this book was also kind of reassuring. My kids were really interested in reading this book because the pictures are really cool but I think they genuinely enjoyed learning about germs. I think this book was a great science lesson for my kids, especially now with COVID. I think this would be a great book for any and all children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

This is a great primer on different germs! It provides easy to understand info on bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. There is a great balance of general information and specific information on germs kids might be familiar with. I love how there is information about bacteria and fungi that are beneficial and the difference between those and germs. The language is a good balance of informative without being gross-out; poop is identified as a carrier of germs, which is appealing to some kids, but in a way that doesn't turn off readers who aren't looking for potty jokes. The author does a nice job of describing some risks and sicknesses that come from germs, without being frightening, and I like how the book ends with practical tips for avoiding sickness. A very timely title!

I was really impressed by this book and even as an adult I learnt something new.

The book is well laid out and it is easy to follow and understand and this will be a hit with any young fans of science and those who has a genuine keen interest to find out more about these microscopics that can cause so much damage.

I liked the illustrations of the different types of germs and what they can do to help, or hinder us. It covers from viruses through to bacteria with a couple of additions along the way.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

As a science nerd and former microbiology lab assistant, I loved everything about Germs Up Close. (Although to be honest, as a slight germaphobe, it did make me itch a little.) The colorful micrographs and descriptive, easy-to-understand language will engage readers, and hopefully lead them to want to know more about science and the microorganisms that inhabit their world (and their bodies). The importance of vaccines, how to protect ourselves, and the easy pronunciations of the scientific names were a great addition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner/Millbrook for the opportunity to read Germs Up Close in return for my honest opinion.

I found this book immensely enjoyable, starting with the aesthetic. The colors and pictures really pop. Do keep in mind, though, that the images used for reference are all pre-existing photographs, which did disappoint me a little. The author's writing, however, does come through. I do feel I learned quite a few things. Most notably, I gained the insight that it is actually strep bacteria that eat sugar in your mouth and turn it into acid, which makes holes in your teeth! I always wondered how sugar would just "make holes" in teeth, and now I know! I also learned that ringworm is not caused by a worm, but is in fact a type of fungi. I was also pleased to see that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was listed as only one type of coronavirus, because a lot of people think that "the coronavirus" is new. Overall, this is an excellent informative book for children and adults alike. I have a few minor quibbles though. As a chemistry student, I flinch a little at the glossary definition of an acid as "a liquid that is sour and so strong it can dissolve some metals" (paraphrase). This leaves the question about DNA as an acid. Is DNA sour and able to dissolve metals too? My other qualm as a writer is that on page 19, there is a sentence that starts with 'but', when it could have been included in the previous sentence as a dependent clause. It flows better that way.

Minor complaints aside, get and read this book! I recommend it!

Germs Up Close would make a great addition to your science curriculum. The book begins by introducing what a germ is and the four types that usually cause illnesses. The actual photos of these "germs" on each page will keep your student's engaged and learning. Germs Up Close goes on to break apart each category and explain what each type does. It ends with how we can stay healthy and fight these germs.

One thing I loved about this book was that it uses language that a kindergarten could understand but also you could use the book in the upper grades to support your unit. I also enjoyed the section on what happens when germs get in! Lots of great information in this book and great photographs to go along with it.

In short, "Germs Up Close" is an easy-to-read introduction to germs.

In long, "Germs Up Close" is a visual and understandable guide to the difference between pathogens, their functions, origins, and symptoms of their nature in humans. No matter your age, learning about diseases and how to combat them is crucial. This is the perfect book to pick up if you're only interested in the basics! However, "Germs Up Close" does provide readers with a pathway into deeper aspects of the field, encouraging young scientists to ask questions such as, "Where did all these different germs come from?" and "Why do antibiotics only work on some bacteria?" Your child will open the cover with a plan to point at funny-looking germs and close the book with a passion for science. This up-to-date and scientifically accurate book is, in my opinion, perfect for classrooms and bedtime reads!

That said, I have one complaint about the accuracy! "Germs" is not the correct term; "pathogens" better describes the contents of this book. "Germs" is a simplification and it does not affect the information given, but it should be noted that this book is about the building blocks of pathology.

What a colourful book for children,
taking a look at the four types of germs:
- Bacteria
- Protozoa
- Fungi
- Viruses
... really, really close-up.

I liked that the descriptions included how the individual germs are being pronounced and it was fascinating even for me (as an adult) to see the variety in shapes and colours.
The only downside I would like to mention here is that the book is rather short & I would have definitely wanted for it to contain more information. On the upside, I liked that at the end, the books also shares information on how we can protect ourselves from germs.

I adore this book. Its colourful, attractive and fascinating, with enough information to keep even the most curious students interested. Especially relevant to today's young people, who are being asked to focus on germs like never before. It reassures the reader than our bodies are made to deal with most of the germs that we deal with on a day to day basis, but also provides information about how to keep ourselves safe, and the importance of vaccines. I will absolutely be buying this for my classroom.

Great photographs of the most common germs affecting humans - viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This would be a wonderful gift for a child middle grade student interested in science. It would also make a nice addition to a classroom or school library.

I think this book was great! The colors popped on the page, making it intriguing to read. The overall premise of the book really was captured. It captures a lot of images and details regarding different germs and their types. I do think a 4th grade class may struggle with some of the words and not fully understand. The book was well executed and a Science teacher would most likely use this in their classroom.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group Millbrook Press ™ for my copy of Germs Up Close by Sara Levine in exchange for an honest review. It publishes April 6, 2021.
I thought this book was a great primer on microbiology, with its simple explanations, pronunciations and pictures. This would have been a handy study tool when I was taking microbiology and anatomy and physiology!
I will mention (for those interested), this book does explain vaccinations in a positive way, so if that's something you're wanting to teach your children about, (or avoid), know that they're covered here in a rudimentary way. This may be a pro or con for you, depending on what your personal conviction is.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley.
This is the second book I read from that site.
Very colorful and informative, but I wish it's written longer. 😅
Hope my niece will like the illustrations (she can't read yet)

Now I'm thinking: maybe it fits the 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt: a free book 😃

This book was full of information in a kid-friendly and fun way.

Pros:

- Very informative!
- Very good attention grabber on the back cover.
- The pictures are engaging for kids even though they are pictures of germs. :)
- The language is understandable but some words may need some explaining depending on age.
- The book connects the effect of the germs back to relatable situations such as cavities and ear infections.

Cons:

- One flow problem on page 7 in the pink circle: "What do good bacteria do?"

Other:

- It says Pre-k to 4th grade but I feel it's more geared towards older kids. The 4-year-old (Pre-k age) had a hard time understanding some of the words but the 8-year-old got them after explanations.

With engaging text and large, interest-grabbing photos, this book introduces readers to four types of germs—bacteria, Protozoa,, fungi, and viruses. The written text and the photos work seamlessly together. A wonderful resource for science programs or for independent reading.

I loved this title! The pictures are the stars here - great showcase of what modern microscopes can do. The text is appropriate for middle elementary students, and focuses more on disease than books like "don't lick this book" but still such an interesting resource!