Germs Are Not for Sharing

Winner Dr. Toy Smart Play/Smart Toy Product of Excellence

Deborah Dysart-Gale - Children's Literature

This is a pleasantly illustrated picture book designed to sensitize children to the concept of germs and common ways in which they are spread in a typical child's environment. The main text is followed by a section for "grown-ups and kids to read together." One objection regards information that is not fully explained in the main text, such as the brief mention that "not all germs are bad" or the statement that "the three types of germs are viruses, bacteria, and fungi" in the supplemental section. Adults who have forgotten their high school biology would definitely welcome further discussion and examples of the three types and of "good" germs. The discussion of the proper sneezing technique does not provide enough guidance (illustrations of ambiguously defined gestures marked "[sneeze] like this"), although the adult-mediated section addresses these techniques in more detail. Adults will have to provide or elicit concrete examples for numerous concepts introduced in the book. A misprint should be noted: the book notes that a germ can live on surfaces for up to "two hours," but some common germs remain viable for two or more days. Despite these shortcomings, this is a useful book for initiating adult-mediated discussion in nursery school, day care, or other high-traffic environments. 2006, Free Spirit Publishing, Ages 4 to 7.

Elizabeth Verdick is a children's book writer and editor.  She lives in Minnesota with her husband and their two children.

Marieka Heinlen launched her career as a children’s book illustrator with the award-winning Hands Are Not for Hitting. As a freelance illustrator and designer, Marieka focuses her work on books and other materials for children, teens, parents, and teachers. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and son.