I’m Trying to Love Germs, by Bethany Barton, (Nov. 2023, Viking Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593326725
Ages 4-8
As I sit here riding out the first head cold of the season, I’ve got a good read for your STEM and health collections: I’m Trying to Love Germs. The newest book in Bethany Barton’s I’m Trying to Love…series, I’m Trying to Love Germs is all about understanding germs: they’re not all bad! Sure, there are the germs that give us runny noses, bellyaches, and fevers, but there are germs that help us, too! If you like cheese and yogurt, or mushrooms, or use antibiotics when you get sick, you’ve experienced the good kinds of germs. Written in accessible terms with loads of fun, anthropormorphic microbes, Barton uses comic book art, word bubbles, and paneling to teach younger readers about staying healthy, safe, and smart. An excellent first purchase for collections. If you have a science club, consider adding some coloring sheets or worksheets as an extension activity; there are some good ones on Education.com.
I’m Trying to Love Germs has a starred review from School Library Journal.
Mom Read It 