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I'm Trying to Love Germs
Children's Choice Award winner Bethany Barton dives into the microscopic world of germs with fascinating information and tons of humor!
This book is covered in germs! But to be fair, so are we. Did you know that there are more viruses and bacteria on Earth than there are stars in the known universe? Learn all about the microbes in and on our bodies that help us survive, the ones that don't, and everything in between. Written in Bethany Barton's trademark balance of informative and hilarious, I'm Trying to Love Germs is a perfect entry point to viruses, the pandemic, and the importance of washing our hands.
This book is covered in germs! But to be fair, so are we. Did you know that there are more viruses and bacteria on Earth than there are stars in the known universe? Learn all about the microbes in and on our bodies that help us survive, the ones that don't, and everything in between. Written in Bethany Barton's trademark balance of informative and hilarious, I'm Trying to Love Germs is a perfect entry point to viruses, the pandemic, and the importance of washing our hands.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2023
About the author
Bethany Barton
12 books60 followersartist/author/illustrator. superpowers include freckles & a loud laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 31, 2024
Very informational, even I learned something new!
January 3, 2024
Just as in another book in the series that I read, Bethany Barton’s I’m Trying to Love Germs (Viking Books, 2023) is a story told in alternating voices, this time between a human and a microscopic germ, this time teaching the reader basic facts about microorganisms. It includes interactive elements, such as “just move your thumb and index finger away from each other to zoom in closer.” With plenty of light-hearted conversation amid the ample details, Barton’s contribution to books about microbes is a must-have for those studying this subject.
See full review at Rebecca Reads: https://reviews.rebeccareid.com/im-tr...
See full review at Rebecca Reads: https://reviews.rebeccareid.com/im-tr...
November 6, 2023
I'M TRYING TO LOVE GERMS teaches that while germs have a bad stigma, not all of them are actually bad. Even though they're too small to see, they're everywhere. Scientists call germs microbes or pathogens and there are some people who study bacteria for a living. Some make you sick and are no fun, but others are vital to our survival. Humans have a lot of bacteria living inside of them that do all sorts of things like bacteria that fight in your mouth, protect infection on your skin, and help digestion by breaking down the food.
The overall format of the book is engaging and I love the introduction where it says this book is covered in germs. I also really love how it tells the reader to pinch to zoom in so we can see the germs. The author goes into the four different types: bacterium, virus, fungus, and protozoan. The illustrations have simple detailing and I love how the cover appears throughout the book to add a bit of humor. In the back of the book, there's a section called "A word on Washing Your Hands" and it teaches children the importance of washing your hands.
Final Verdict: I'M TRYING TO LOVE GERMS is packed with information about the good side of microbes with a twist of humor to add some extra entertainment for children. I would recommend this for fans of science, biology, and for those parents who want to educate their children more on germs.
The overall format of the book is engaging and I love the introduction where it says this book is covered in germs. I also really love how it tells the reader to pinch to zoom in so we can see the germs. The author goes into the four different types: bacterium, virus, fungus, and protozoan. The illustrations have simple detailing and I love how the cover appears throughout the book to add a bit of humor. In the back of the book, there's a section called "A word on Washing Your Hands" and it teaches children the importance of washing your hands.
Final Verdict: I'M TRYING TO LOVE GERMS is packed with information about the good side of microbes with a twist of humor to add some extra entertainment for children. I would recommend this for fans of science, biology, and for those parents who want to educate their children more on germs.
July 16, 2024
In a post-Covid world, it is not difficult to imagine being afraid of germs - the kids of today lived through a lot with the germs of the last 3 years! - but Bethany Barton and her microscopic friends don't want anyone to be scared anymore. In this easygoing yet informative (and somewhat interactive) overview of the good, the bad, and the gross of germs, Barton introduces readers to microbes and pathogens, which are two different kinds of "germs." Microbes are microscopic organisms while pathogens are microbes that make people sick. Of course, as Barton and her squirmy germy co-narrator explain, not all microbes and pathogens are bad. There is bacteria living in our bodies that helps us digest food and fungi that cure diseases. But whether we find ourselves in the presence of helpful microbes or their not so friendly counterparts, the most important thing we can do is wash our hands. Clean hands allow us to keep ourselves and others from getting sick while keeping the good microbes in our lives just as healthy as we are.
This book is a great introduction to germ theory for the younger set. I think illness and how to stay safe in a germ-riddled world will be an important topic of conversation for a while to come and it is never too early to get kids excited about washing their hands!
This book is a great introduction to germ theory for the younger set. I think illness and how to stay safe in a germ-riddled world will be an important topic of conversation for a while to come and it is never too early to get kids excited about washing their hands!
December 21, 2023
Thank you to Bethany Barton and Viking/Penguin Random House for a copy of I'm Trying to Love Germs.
"I like to think of germs like glitter" - my favorite line in the whole book. It's such a perfect picture of germs - one sneeze and germs cover you like a jar of glitter would.
This book is a hard cover, perfect for kids 4-8 years of age. It's full of colorful examples of germs along with pronounciations. I loved how creative the author was - in one image, the germs are depicted as famous movie/rock stars.
I think this is a great science book to share with younger children to teach them that not all germs are bad and to know how to handle germs in a safe manner, and most importantly - why.
I am eager to share this with a friend who is a teacher. I know she will love this for her son and her classroom.
"I like to think of germs like glitter" - my favorite line in the whole book. It's such a perfect picture of germs - one sneeze and germs cover you like a jar of glitter would.
This book is a hard cover, perfect for kids 4-8 years of age. It's full of colorful examples of germs along with pronounciations. I loved how creative the author was - in one image, the germs are depicted as famous movie/rock stars.
I think this is a great science book to share with younger children to teach them that not all germs are bad and to know how to handle germs in a safe manner, and most importantly - why.
I am eager to share this with a friend who is a teacher. I know she will love this for her son and her classroom.
July 23, 2024
I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. I would recommend this book to a reader who doesn't shy away from the gross books. This book will certainly not be for everyone, so to recommend it you must know your readers. In this book, we get to see an up close and personal look at various types of "germs", what they do, and even get advice on how to avoid them. This would be a good introduction to all of the germy germs out there. Maybe a little too much information for K-3rd, but it does its best to break it all down in easy to understand snippets. This book is part of a series. "I'm Trying to Love..." series. I really enjoyed the little "zoom in & zoom out" hand. Very cute! It's a good way to get readers involved in the book--and also to add a few extra germs to the book pages. ;)
September 11, 2024
If you've read the other books in this series then you will open this book expecting fun illustrations, expecting a solid explanation of the topic, and you're expecting humor. All of those expectation would be spot on because this is an excellent addition to Barton's hilarious series. Barton manages to balance the line between informative and humor brilliantly. The book talks to the reader, germy beings that we are, but also throws around words like staphylococcus and microbes. What are germs? Why do they exist? How do they help us? And how do we keep from getting sick? Well written and so engaging. This is fun science for kids.
September 1, 2023
I received an electronic ARC from Viking Books for Young Readers through Edelweiss+.
Barton continues her series by showing readers how many and what kinds of "germs" live in our bodies. She begins with a science lesson on what germs are called scientifically. Readers meet a talking germ who takes us through some types of microbes and pathogens to learn about them and to learn how to care for ourselves. The author slips humor in with the facts to hold readers' interest. The illustrations capture the variety of germs in a colorful and humorous way.
Barton continues her series by showing readers how many and what kinds of "germs" live in our bodies. She begins with a science lesson on what germs are called scientifically. Readers meet a talking germ who takes us through some types of microbes and pathogens to learn about them and to learn how to care for ourselves. The author slips humor in with the facts to hold readers' interest. The illustrations capture the variety of germs in a colorful and humorous way.
January 1, 2024
4 stars (I really liked it)
I like Barton's "I'm Trying to Love" series. I was skeptical when I picked this one up because I thought "aren't germs bad?" Well I learned that not all germs are harmful (I mean, I guess i did know that deep down but my first thought was about the bad germs). The book gives lots of information in an easy to understand way.
It also has interactive parts (high five, zooming in and out with your fingers) and it breaks the 4th wall.
So lots going on! Would definitely like to purchase for my school library.
I like Barton's "I'm Trying to Love" series. I was skeptical when I picked this one up because I thought "aren't germs bad?" Well I learned that not all germs are harmful (I mean, I guess i did know that deep down but my first thought was about the bad germs). The book gives lots of information in an easy to understand way.
It also has interactive parts (high five, zooming in and out with your fingers) and it breaks the 4th wall.
So lots going on! Would definitely like to purchase for my school library.
November 19, 2023
This nonfiction picture book is okay, and it shares some good information, but I didn't like this as much as other books from the series. I felt that this had a less substance than previous installments, and the meta humor fell flat for me, since it's so overdone in contemporary picture books.
January 19, 2024
This book is covered in germs! But to be fair, so are we. Did you know that there are more viruses and bacteria on Earth than there are stars in the known universe? Learn all about the microbes in and on our bodies that help us survive, the ones that don't, and everything in between."--
December 7, 2023
A Great interactive and informative book.
January 17, 2024
I like these books
January 21, 2024
Bethany Barton’s voice is so great! Another fun title in the series.
January 28, 2024
Gross but ultimately reassuring book about microbes (good) and pathogens (bad) germs.
March 23, 2024
I loved how digestible this information is. My only complaint is the way it encourages kids to pinch the paper like it’s a tablet. We don’t need any more of that. Let books be books, please.
August 15, 2024
Great STEM book with lots of information, cool illustrations, and things to think about.
January 31, 2024
As in the other books in the I'm Trying to Love series, Barton introduces readers to a nonfiction topic using humor and cartoonlike illustrations. The topic presented to readers is tiny in nature but enormous in scope. Microorganisms called germs by many are often seen as bad and to be avoided. But in her amusing conversations between the narrator and a microbe, the author highlights the difference between microbes and pathogens. Microbes are tiny living things, some of which are really important and do good things for us as humans. The microbes that cause harm are called pathogens. The differences between bacteria and viruses are also covered. Using dots and pretend zooming, the illustrations involve young readers in the book. Amusing illustrations that show the talking microbe changing the cover of the book add to the enjoyment. Admittedly the topic is a gross one, but it's an important one as well, especially after the pandemic and the ongoing challenges inherent in the flu and other diseases. I appreciated how the author/illustrator showed the differences in how the different microbes look and act despite being lumped together as 'germs'. The inclusion of the pronunciations for some of the actual names for some of these microbes makes it a bit easier to read them (especially if you are trying to read this out loud). The importance of washing hands and using appropriate protective gear as needed is included. Overall, an informative read presented in a fun way.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews