January 24, 2022
In this accessible introduction to virology with a section that discusses Covid-19 and vaccines, Heos employs a novel approach: a rhinovirus narrator, portrayed as a smiling, rounded green virion, takes readers along on its journey, leaving a light-skinned child host to infect a light-brown-skinned child host with the common cold. Invitingly peppered with onomatopoeia, the narrative is both conversational and comprehensive: “You now have a headache and a runny nose. Don’t blame me... that’s your white blood cells’ fault!” Ciccotello includes labeled diagrams aplenty and expressive, cartoon-style virions and cells rendered digitally. A promising series starter that’s sure to engage and educate on a timely subject. Back matter includes more information on smallpox, vaccines, and different types of white blood cells, and a glossary. Ages 3–7.
March 1, 2022
PreS-Gr 3-A topical primer on viruses and how our bodies fight them, as narrated in the first person by a virus. The narrator seems nice enough, until it enters the nose and starts making a mess of things. Luckily white blood cells and antibodies are there to help the body fight back. This quick read is a great introduction to viruses, with several pages dedicated to information about the novel coronavirus. The illustrations provide easy-to-understand diagrams of cells, virions, antibodies, vaccines, and more. Also included are a glossary of terms, recommendations for further reading, and a bibliography. The host character has brown hair and light brown skin. VERDICT Although a fictionalized treatment, this is recommended purchase for the pandemic and beyond-it's first-class science served up accessibly.-Laken Hottle
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 15, 2022
Let a chirpy rhinovirus fill you in on how viruses attack and how our immune system responds! It all starts with a cold sufferer's sneeze, which sends the cheery narrator and fellow virions (or virus particles) into the air, "fly[ing] in droplets of snot to...your nose!" Once viruses click into receptors and shoot their RNA into a nasal cell's interior, it's off to the races as chemical alerts trigger floods of mucus and bring legions of white blood cells charging in to eat the invaders. Just to make the drama a little less scary, Ciccotello kits out cells, viruses, antibodies, and Pac Man-like white blood cells with comically expressive faces in his cartoon illustrations--pulling back at intervals to show a brown-skinned child obliviously spreading germs to a racially diverse group of friends, lying in bed spooning soup to help the mucus flow, and finally returning to everyday life once the cold (or, by implication, other affliction) has run its course. Heos keeps the information flowing, too, as she goes on to describe the functions of different types of white blood cells and, zeroing in on smallpox as a particular success story, identifies several viral maladies, including Covid-19, for which effective vaccines have been developed. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A steady flow of specific information and general reassurance. (glossary, further reading, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-9)
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April 15, 2022
Grades K-2 Viruses will always be part of our lives, and this timely entry in the Science Buddies series offers a good overview to young readers. The narrator--an enlarged cartoon virus--is in search of a new host after a sneeze sends it traveling. After landing in a nose, the virus introduces its friend, Cell, and describes how it fits perfectly onto the cell, where it makes a lot more of itself. The easy-to-understand text, accompanied by more up-close cartoons that help illustrate the science, continues with a look at the immune system's fight against the virus and descriptions of how germs make our bodies feel sick. Following these basics, the virus covers related topics, including colds, COVID-19, vaccines, other virus-prevention methods (handwashing, covering one's mouth, etc.), and even beneficial viruses. This kid-friendly health lesson concludes with a brief look at smallpox and the development of its vaccine, as well as an infographic of white blood cell defenders. A lively way to discuss today's viruses with children.
COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
March 1, 2022
A friendly rhinovirus virion (a single "virus particle") narrates this accessible and timely introduction to viruses, our immune system, and the benefits of vaccines. From an infected person's sneeze to a new host's nose to what happens on a cellular level, our blue-and-green guide delves into virology while keeping a young audience in mind. Both the lively text and the cartoon illustrations temper the science with a spoonful of entertainment ("Lots of us fly in droplets of snot"). After invading a nasal cell, the virion explains, "I shrug off my spiky jacket so RNA can do its job. Off it goes to deliver its chemical code message to Cell: Make more of me. Lots more!" Next, white blood cells programmed to fight back against the quickly replicating virus arrive via the bloodstream. And how about the human host? "You now have a headache and a runny nose." Discussion about the role of antibodies leads to information about vaccines and how that development has helped eradicate the threat of heavy-hitters such as mumps, measles, and polio. A cameo by a COVID-19 virion brings the lesson home. Back matter includes information on how the first vaccine (for smallpox) was created, a guide to the different types of white blood cells, a helpful glossary, a three-book reading list, and a select bibliography. Gesundheit...now wash your hands! Kitty Flynn
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 1, 2022
A friendly rhinovirus virion (a single "virus particle") narrates this accessible and timely introduction to viruses, our immune system, and the benefits of vaccines. From an infected person's sneeze to a new host's nose to what happens on a cellular level, our blue-and-green guide delves into virology while keeping a young audience in mind. Both the lively text and the cartoon illustrations temper the science with a spoonful of entertainment ("Lots of us fly in droplets of snot"). After invading a nasal cell, the virion explains, "I shrug off my spiky jacket so RNA can do its job. Off it goes to deliver its chemical code message to Cell: Make more of me. Lots more!" Next, white blood cells programmed to fight back against the quickly replicating virus arrive via the bloodstream. And how about the human host? "You now have a headache and a runny nose." Discussion about the role of antibodies leads to information about vaccines and how that development has helped eradicate the threat of heavy-hitters such as mumps, measles, and polio. A cameo by a COVID-19 virion brings the lesson home. Back matter includes information on how the first vaccine (for smallpox) was created, a guide to the different types of white blood cells, a helpful glossary, a three-book reading list, and a select bibliography. Gesundheit...now wash your hands!
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)