Unseen Jungle

March 15, 2023
Introducing the weird and wonderful world of microbes. Microbes ("any living creature that's too small to see") are things most people might prefer not to think about, despite their abundance. Some of them do terrible things, like make people sick, turn insects into zombified husks, or produce methane gas that contributes to global warming. But others help with digestion, decomposition, vector-borne disease control, and many other things that support life on this planet as we know it. Ably assisted by Wilson's bright, expressive spot illustrations, entomologist Rice breaks down a whole host of microbes and their M.O.s. She presents the behind-the-scenes microbial influence over familiar creatures and environments (mind-controlling fungi in humble houseflies, for example) in all its sometimes gory glory, with enough detail to satisfy young readers' curiosity as well as their delight in all things icky but not so much as to become overwhelming. Interviews with a public health veterinarian, a regulatory food microbiologist, an entomologist, and other scientists (depicted as racially diverse in the illustrations) round out the text. The peppy tone might come off as trying too hard to some, and the occasional tangents are a bit distracting, but the author's palpable excitement for the topic makes an already-fascinating subject even more engaging. An entertaining and informative exploration of a hidden world. (recommended reading and websites, drawing tutorial, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 7-10)

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Starred review from May 1, 2023
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Developing the theme that "microbes impact our lives and our world in big, beautiful, and sometimes creepy ways," Spicer Rice explains the varied roles bacteria and other tiny guests play in digestion, decomposition, spreading or fighting diseases, and killing hosts or keeping them healthy. Readers who relish biology that veers into the "creepy" will be riveted by the all-too-detailed pictures of parasitic wasp larvae eating caterpillars and ladybugs from the inside out, microbes "living their best lives" on the butts of cats and the faces of dog owners, and the answer to what happens to untreated rabies victims. On more positive notes, she also describes how male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia germs will make infertile the eggs of uninfected malaria-carrying females with whom they mate. She also interviews several scientists, including an entomologist studying the way diseased monarch caterpillars can be cured by poop transplants from healthy ones (the technique's potential for humans goes unmentioned) and a public health veterinarian who suggests that contact with pets can help human infants develop a resistance to allergies. The illustrations are limited to cartoon spot art, but the author closes with substantial source notes and suggestions for further study of this fascinating topic.

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November 17, 2023

Gr 4 Up-Everything you ever did, and didn't, want to know about microbes! Broken down into four sections-house, yard, food, and you-this title explores the microbes that are living on us, in us, and all around us. Rice writes in a fun and humorous tone while discussing all the wonderful, and sometimes insidious, things microbes do. For example, a tiny wasp lays her eggs inside a ladybug and once it hatches, the baby wasp eats the inside of the ladybug and uses its shell to protect itself. Colorful cartoon illustrations are interspersed throughout the text alongside interviews with experts in various fields. Students will find this title engaging and easy to understand. While science can often be complicated, Rice expertly simplifies this topic for young readers. Bolded words are defined in the text and almost all microbe names have a phonetic spelling. Further reading and activities are included in the last chapter for students who want to know more information. A thorough bibliography is also included. VERDICT Fascinating. Recommended for all elementary and middle school collections.-Lisa Buffi

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