July 2021 … James Logan Healthy Eagle staff recently read Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James Ransome. It’s a book all about germs.
We learned that long ago, people didn’t know that germs existed and could make you sick. Ms. Cline-Ransome wrote that some people thought “evil spirits” caused illness.
But in 1673, a Dutch scientist named Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek used a microscope and discovered germs existed.
Later, another scientist named Louis Pasteur showed that germs were connected to illness.
Ms. Cline-Ransome tells the reader some ways we can get rid of germs, and also that not all germs are dangerous. Some germs help make pizza dough rise and help break down leaves in the fall to help your grass grow in the spring.
In the back of the book, Ms. Cline-Ransome wrote that “one of the most startling discoveries in my research of germs was that many illnesses and deaths could have been prevented by simple handwashing.”
As we have learned during COVID-19, it’s important to wash our hands.
“The book had a lot of tips that I could use to help make germs go away, such as handwashing for 30 seconds,” Aaron said.
“I liked this book because it helped me learn about germs,” Nyzeir said.
“This was a good book because it was entertaining, while also teaching you facts about germs,” Maleah offered.
“I liked this story because it talks about how you can keep from spreading germs to others by wearing a mask and covering your mouth when you cough near other people,” Kevin said.
All the reporters who heard the book read in class said they enjoyed it. They recommended the book to kids and adults, especially those who would want to know how to keep germs away from one another.