Horn Book

Davies introduces the concept of microbes to young readers through creative, relatable analogies and itchy-but-cool facts about the microbes that live on and in us. The tone is light yet scientifically precise, covering topics such as the shape and variety of microbes, their function, and reproduction. Sutton's colorful, friendly illustrations render micro-organisms' shapes accurately and add depth to the presentation.

Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review Who wouldn't be fascinated by organisms that can eat anything: plants, animals (alive or dead), even oil and rocks? English biologist Davies introduces the strange realm of microbes: their minute sizes, their vast numbers, their diverse forms, and their varied roles in shaping our world. Simply written and concise, the text opens with comparisons that describe just how small these microorganisms are, noting that the picture of an ant would need to be as big as a whale in order for the millions of microbes on its antenna to be visible. While the analogy comparing the number of microbes in a teaspoon of soil to the population of India may be challenging for some young children to grasp, the colorful painting illustrating the idea could serve as a jumping-off point for further discussion. The information that some microbes cause illness is placed within the context of the many amazing things they accomplish. Reminiscent of Alice and Martin Provensen's artwork in its combination of formal structure and amiable tone, Sutton's large-scale illustrations help children to visualize microorganisms and processes that are too small to see. The sequence of simple images illustrating multiplying microbes is quite effective. A handsome and rewarding picture book about the power of tiny creatures.

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 2-4 A pleasant, picture book-style look at a rather icky topic: microbes, the teeny tiny critters that live on us and in us and everywhere around us, with an impact that belies their minute size. Davies's writing is straightforward but not dry; in fact, she puts the scale and numbers of microbes into fascinating contexts. For instance, to make the millions of microbes on an ant's antenna visible, the antenna would have to be enlarged to the size of a whale. Sutton's folk-art illustrations are rendered in earthy tones on creamy paper and feature two smiling kiddos and a winsome cat, making for a warm visual presentation (who'd have thought a paramecium could be pretty?). This really is an enjoyable beginner's look at these miniscule organisms and the effect they can have on everything from our bodies to the soil to the clouds in the sky.— Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Zoologist and children-s author Davies (Outside Your Window) adds another book about the natural world to her extensive repertoire as she introduces microbes to readers. A straightforward narrative packed with comparisons sheds light on -the invisible transformers of our world,- while clever, inviting watercolors help put those comparisons into context. Sutton-s paintings, reminiscent of mid 20th-century children-s book art with their subtle hues and naïve styling, lend a nostalgic, almost cozy feel to the pages. In one spread, smiling, waving people in a skyline full of towering buildings illustrate the idea that -A single drop of seawater can hold twenty million microbes. That-s about the same as the number of people in New York State.- Another spread contains circular vignettes like petri dishes under a microscope, each with a different microbe: -Some are skinny. Some have wiggling tails. Some look like daisies.- An apparent brother-sister duo appear throughout-getting stomachaches, gardening-to demonstrate the connection between these ubiquitous microbes and human life. Davies and Sutton illuminate the world of germs, fermenters, and composters in a charming, succinct package. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)