Microscopes and Microbes Picture Books for Kids – Librarian in the House
By A Mystery Man Writer
Last updated 20 May 2024
A few weeks ago I upgraded my kids' microscope. To this point, we've used a simple 8x, two-eyepiece microscope (pictured below), and we have loved it! We've explored a variety of treasures we've found on our nature walks, coins, and super small print in books. Pictured below is our seed study, part of our nature curriculum, which you can read more about here. But, it was time to upgrade this school year. (My older is in 2nd grade and younger in kindergarten.) A "real" microscope seemed like a homeschooling rite of passage! I figured my boys would be excited, as generally anything NEW is met with high praise. I wasn't prepared for how obsessed my 7yo would become! He has stayed up late, not reading his beloved chapter books, but instead viewing specimens through his new microscope! It's been really fun-- though slightly weird to be called off the couch at 9pm to view paramecium. If you're curious, we purchased this microscope. I've been so pleased. It's reasonably priced. It is all metal yet not heavy (my son is able to carry it). It has both fine and coarse adjustment knobs, and it has lights from both above and below to use for opaque or translucent specimens. My kids have had to persevere to learn how to focus and adjust on the various specimens, and they've managed to do so within just a few days. This post contains affiliate links. As an associate I earn a small commission from eligible purchases. I've put these slides on the birthday wishlist. As we do at any opportunity, we filled our life with books to tie-in. We've found a few treasures that I wanted to share with you! Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak & Julian Frost. This initially looks like a preschool board book in its shape and with sturdy, thick pages (not board but thick, glossy paper). But, it's brilliant and it includes electron microscope images. "Min" the microbe takes readers on a journey into the tiny tiny world of microbes, from those living on teeth, on a dirty shirt, in a belly button. We meet 4 types of microbes and learn a little bit about what they really look like, too. This is a great introductory book! Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by Nicola Davies; ill by Emily Sutton. A favorite nature author/illustrator team of ours! This book begins by introducing the relative size of microbes, where they live, what they look like, what their functions are on earth, and how they can make us sick. Another wonderful introductory book, with more depth than the one above. Greg's Microscope by Millicent E. Selsam; ill by Arnold Lobel (of Frog & Toad fame). This is an "I-Can-Read" level 3 book and so well done! Greg's father buys him a microscope but not any slides, so he makes his own from a variety of household substances-- salt, sugar, flour, thread, hair. A sweet story of a family captivated by science and the wonder of the microscopic world, with great basics illustrated. All In a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered An Invisible World by Lori Alexander; ill by Vivien Mildenberger. This was a fascinating and accessible biography of the father of microbiology. 80 pages with color illustrations throughout. We found it especially interesting to learn that he had no formal education or standing in society, but through persistence, curiosity, and wonder he made astounding discoveries. This paired well with our study of the American colonization period (the Pilgrims spent a period of time in Holland just prior to setting sail for the New World, during Leeuwenhoek's lifetime and for reasons that intersected with this biography). June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus by Suzanne Slade. This lovely picture book biography of the virologist June Almeida can be read in one sitting. Immediately attention-grabbing with its coronavirus history, this book covers not only June's life but also the basics of electron microscopes, antibodies, viruses, and what corona even means ("crown" as the dots surrounding the virus look like a crown). June's work included creating the first image of the rubella virus, discovering the hepatitis B virus is made of two components, and publishing high-quality images of the HIV virus. An afterward provides more biographical information as well as June's work with the electron microscopes during her career. Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope by Stephen Kramer; photos by Dennis Kunkel. Full of amazing photographs taken with a variety of microscopes, this book is one you could linger over. Although there is quite a bit of (very interesting!) text, you could certainly read the captions and enjoy the photographs alone! We found it interesting that each photo's caption included the type of microscope it was captured with and under what magnification. Those were our favorites in our most recent exploration! Do you have titles to add? Connect with me in the comments below or on my Instagram or Facebook accounts.
Greg makes fascinating discoveries about things he finds at home when he looks at them through his new microscope. ‘An accurate and entertaining book for beginning independent readers.' 'BL.
Greg's Microscope [Book]
Emily Perez - Advanced Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stanford
Too Small to See: Children's Books about Microscopic Life
Micro Monsters: Life Under the Microscope (DK Readers Level 4)
Men, Microscopes, and Living Things: 9780692746158: Shippen, Katherine B, Ravielli, Anthony: Books
Men, Microscopes, and Living Things
Let's Read About Microbes!! (& Microscopic Organisms) - how we
Used Book in Good Condition
Microcosmos: Discovering the World Through Microscopic Images from 20 X to Over 22 Million X Magnification
Vintage 1960's Children's Science Book the Microscope and What You
Greg makes fascinating discoveries about things he finds at home when he looks at them through his new microscope. ‘An accurate and entertaining book for beginning independent readers.' 'BL.
Greg's Microscope [Book]
The 16 Best Microorganisms And Bacteria Kids Books
Microbiology Kit with Starter Slide Kit & Book by Omano
Too Small to See: Children's Books about Microscopic Life
Greg's Microscope (I Can Read Level 3): 9780064441445
Greg's Microscope (I Can Read Level 3) - A2Z Science & Learning
Recommended for you
-
Numgic DIY Journal Kit for Girls Ages 8-12 and Up, Fun Cute Stuff Birthday Gifts Arts Craft Kit for Teen Girls, Scrapbook Diary Supplies Set Ideas Toy20 May 2024
-
VERTOY DIY Journal Set for Girls Ages 8-12 - Kids Scrapbook Diary Journaling Kit for Writing, Ideas Birthday Gifts and Toys for 8 9 10 11 12 13+20 May 2024
-
DIY Journal Set for Girls Ages 8-12 - Kids Scrapbook Diary Journaling Kit for Wr20 May 2024
-
Wednesdays - Kids Scrapbooking (6 Weeks), Start Anytime20 May 2024
-
My First Scrapbook20 May 2024
-
What to Read to Your Kids Unique Recommendations for All Ages from The Book Mommy20 May 2024
-
Halloween Sudoku Puzzle Book for Kids Ages 8 -12: Smart Gift for Young Boys and Girls, Children Activities and Free Time for Parents- 320 Easy Quizzes [Book]20 May 2024
-
UpCycle It! Crafts For Kids - My New Book Is Here - Jennifer Perkins20 May 2024
-
The Big Brain Teasers Book For Kids - (woo! Jr.) By Woo! Jr Kids Activities (paperback) : Target20 May 2024
-
25 Best Horror Chapter Books for Kids Ages 9-12 Years20 May 2024
You may also like
-
Shock Cord, 5mm20 May 2024
-
400 ml All Purpose Spray Paint For Wood Metal Plastic Matt & Gloss Finish Interior Exterior Use20 May 2024
-
Tips for Sanding Basics - FineWoodworking20 May 2024
-
Adams Graphene Shampoo review on my R8!20 May 2024
-
Car Interior Detailing Brush,Soft Bristle Cleaning Brush Car Detailing Brush Dus20 May 2024
-
Essential Oil Blend Revive – Adventurist Soap Co.20 May 2024
-
Angelus 2 - Soft20 May 2024
-
CRAYOLA CRAYONS 64 COUNT - THE TOY STORE20 May 2024
-
Worx WX081L ZipSnip Cordless Electric Scissors20 May 2024
-
Up & Up 2-Pack Neon Green Silicone Plastic Fashion Pop Fidget Toy Ruler 1220 May 2024