Germs [Hardcover]

Ross Collins (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Pox is not an ordinary germ. Sure, like other germs he takes the bubonic bus to Germ Academy, and he proves that he is unhealthy before he attends school. But Pox just doesn't understand why he should want to make a person miserable. Poor Pox is stuck at the bottom of his class. Luckily, Pox is smarter than his friends and teachers believe, and when he's sent to infect an innocent little girl named Myrtle, he makes some new friends and finds himself a much more suitable, healthy home. A delightfully silly-and educational-story from the nearly germ-free Ross Collins.

A hilarious and unique look at how we get sick-from the germ's point of view!

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 - Young readers may not even suspect that they are being taught an important scientific principle as they follow the adventures of a naïve, good-natured germ. Fresh from the incubator, Chickenpox 12087-2 (known as Pox to his friends) is sent to the academy to learn how to become a "proper germ" - the kind that makes kids sick. Even though he ends up at the bottom of his class, he is soon assigned a mission: to make little Myrtle get the chicken pox. However, once inside her body, instead of infecting her, he wins her immune system over to his side and comes up with a plan to protect her from the other germs. A lively cast of cartoon characters complements the energetic text. The spreads are colorful and full of eye-catching details, and a useful fact page is included. - Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

'Who would have though a story about the immune system could be so entertaining? ... This mixes facts with a fabulous "yuck" factor' BBC Parenting --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (October 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582349266
• ISBN-13: 978-1582349268
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,248,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for inquiring young minds!, July 10, 2005

By 

S. P. Winston "Lit Smitten" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Germs (Hardcover)

When I saw this book didn't yet have a customer review, I felt compelled to correct the injustice. I purchased this book for my four-year-old niece and it has remained one of her absolute favorites for over a year now. Granted, she is a "just the facts, ma'am" sort of kid -- very interested in how things work, especially the human body. With space-age detail, Germs tells the story of Pox, a student at germ academy (along with roommates Pus, Snot, and Rash) who is learning how to make people sick. Not happy with his mission, Pox is sent to infect a little girl named Myrtle. When confronted with her white blood cells (an army of mini versions of Myrtle herself), Pox decides to make friends instead and opt for a non-infecting life of leisure inside Myrtle's body. While instructive about how we get sick, the book also is empowering in teaching about our immune systems. The pastel color palette has a retro feel, and the germs are cartoonishly gross -- perfect for kids who love to say "Ewww!" -- and yet Pox is adorably cuddly and cute. I highly recommend this book for any science-minded children out there.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!, December 14, 2006

By 

J. Higgins "Boys Mom" (Wilmington, Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Germs (Hardcover)

We first got this book from our local Library because of the awesome pictures but after reading it knew it had to be one we added to our personal collection! Any time my 6 year old starts feeling sick, we pull this book out and it comforts him. He learned how his body's defences fight off the bug that gets inside him. We then discuss how the germ might have gotten into his body, and exactly how it comes out. Now that he can put a visual representation on what is going on, he is a bit more comfortable with being sick. I really LOVE this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Find!, May 15, 2007

By 

M. E. Shockley - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Germs (Hardcover)

I was looking for a book that I could share with my four year old niece, and found this great book about Germs! My niece absolutely LOVES it! She giggles every time you say some of the germ names while reading the book. She asked everyone to read it to her over and over and over during my weekend visit. She couldn't get enough of it. And it's educational, which her Mom, the school teacher, loves. I would highly recommend.