Epidemic

Children's Literature

Done in the usual eye-popping, fast-paced style of the "Eyewitness" series, this book discusses epidemics in general and in the specific—specific plagues reviewed in two-page spreads include cholera, the Black Death, influenza, HIV and rabies. The search for new medicines and the threat of germ warfare are also discussed. In addition to photographs and drawings, most pages include larger-than-life plastic models of the organisms being discussed—and these are distracting. Readers may forever envision Shigella bacteria as large, furry pickles. I would prefer more photomicrographs. As an infectious disease physician, I usually read books like this with skepticism, as they are often fraught with scientific errors. Although this text has a few errors, none of them are "fatal flaws." For instance, the section about colds implies that Staphylococcus may cause colds. That is about the only disease state that this ubiquitous organism does not cause. The rest of this section makes the important point that colds cannot be treated with antibiotics, thus redeeming the passage. The book would be of interest to any child contemplating a career in medicine or the sciences. 2000, Dorling Kindersley, $15.95. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen