Do Not Lick This Book!!!

Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost are respected microbiologists who have created the YouTube series Dumb Ways to Die. They have collaborated with each other this time for a book called Do not lick this book* (It’s Full of Germs). They follow the different types of germs that live on and in our bodies. And while there are cartoon characters, photographs that show you what they really look like. These are done by Linnea Rundgren.

Perhaps the author biographies are the best example of the tone of the book: Ben-Barka “thinks quite loud thoughts” and Frost “likes comics and toast” and Rundgren “uses complicated machines to look at very, very tiny things.” This humor is throughout the book. While giving the facts about germs.

Follow Min (a very small microbe) throughout the book as she and you learn about “the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle that is your shirt.” Places you never thought of having germs do and others might be worse (or better) than you first thought.

There are a lot of facts even adults might not be aware of. The best part of the book is while there is scientific information it is not over the average person’s heads. Kids (and adults) who like gross things will love it. Kids (and adults) who like fun facts will also be excited over this. However, it more than not would be an easier book to have in the classroom to be a companion to a class or course.