My First Book of Microbes is the ideal STEM book for children – it uses fascinating bite-size facts, clear and simple explanations, and attractive and absorbing illustrations to demystify the hidden world of microbes.

You’ll discover what they are, where they come from and what they do, as well as which ones are good and which can be harmful. Especially pertinent are the clear explanations about how viruses spread, the role of antibodies and the importance of vaccines – essential understanding for us all during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic; in fact, there’s a whole spread dedicated to COVID-19. Packed with clever analogies that make understanding a difficult topic easy, this STEM title is perfect for young budding scientists with an active and enquiring mind and for people of any age who are interested in learning about the natural world and the human body.

Sales points:

Bestselling and award-winning illustrator and author duo of the bestselling My First Book of Quantum Physics, plus My First Book of Relativity and My First Book of the Cosmos Introduces children aged 8 and up to a complex area of science in a fun and entertaining way Adults are likely to enjoy the content and find that it increases their understanding Topical subject matter – viruses, including information about COVID-19, antibodies and vaccinesCommon Core: RI.6.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9; W.6.1.1a,1b,1c,1d,2,2a,2b,2c,2d,2e,2f,4,5,6,7,8,9b; SL.6.1,1,1b,1c,1d,2,3,4,5,6; L.6.3,3a,3b,4,4a,4b,4c, 5a,5b,5c,6; GRL: W

Longlisted in the 2023 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Middle Grades Science Book category, 25th October 2022, https://www.sbfprize.org/blog/longlist-2023-middle-grades 

Just Imagine https://justimagine.co.uk/review/my-first-book-of-microbes/
“I loved this book. It is fascinating... Ferrón includes everything you would want, or need, to know. I enjoyed the etymology of words and the design and diagrams… If you’re looking for a book which goes beyond the primary curriculum and stretches children’s learning, then you can’t go wrong here.”

BookTrust https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/m/my-first-book-of-microbes/
“This fascinating picture book for junior readers delves into the hidden world of microbes, explaining what they are, where they are found and why they are essential to our existence...Attractively designed with a clear layout, this engaging book features colourful illustrations, useful diagrams and interesting fact boxes, alongside the informative text. Ideal for any budding young scientist, it brings the subject to life in an exciting and accessible manner.”

Primary Science magazine review, September/October 2022 issue 174
"This inspiring book, suitable for age 8 and above, is a wonderful example of how science can be made interesting for the whole family. In an ever-changing and (more recently) confusing world, this book calmly explains just how vital it is for children to understand how even the tiniest microbes can cause challenges on a global scale. Every page is packed full of incredible information and detailed illustrations of the variety of microbes that have been discovered throughout history...The book explores how viruses spread, the role of antibodies and the ever-increasing importance of vaccination. There is even topical information about COVID-19...Make sure this book is clearly displayed in your reading corner – my class love it!”

@ecocraftkids Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfv7RKUuT3Q/
"My First Book of Microbes: This fascinating book delves deep into the world of cells, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more. The bright and colourful illustrations illuminate the fascinating science of microbes and microbiology. A perfect starter book for any budding scientist!”

@rosieslibrary Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CWjXOM8KIhY/
“This book is ideal for budding scientists and curious minds. It goes into detail about cells and everything good, bad and deadly that is out there in microbe form. The illustrations make it easier to understand for younger ones, as well as making the subject a little less daunting. It’s great as a stepping stone for further knowledge while also teaching us adults a few things!”

@family_book_club_ Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CaSy2Uyruuz/
“This is a very complex subject but through this book children can learn about it in a fun and entertaining way. There are colourful illustrations and diagrams throughout making it very engaging. … This is the perfect book for all the budding young scientists out there.”

@picturebookrecommendations Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca7PMm-p4ch/
"This fabulous new book takes a complex subject and breaks it down in a fun, entertaining and easy to understand way...The text is broken into parts and can be read in sections while the bright cheerful illustrations capture young kids attention."

@thebabybookworm Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-2-aQAfLn/
"“This colorful compendium of tiny science walks the reader through the fascinating world of the smallest living beings on earth. A timely addition to a STEM-tastic series."

Mid-West Book review http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/mar_22.htm#Science
"Packed from cover to cover with clever, illustrated analogies that make understanding a difficult topic easy, My First Book of Microbes is a STEM title that is perfect for young budding scientists with an active and enquiring mind … An ideal and thoroughly 'kid friendly' introduction to the science of microbiology.”

Busy Busy Learning https://busybusylearning.com/my-first-book-of-microbes-by-sheddad-kaid-sala-ferron-and-eduard-altarriba/
“You can tell that Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferrón has a passion for this area of science...It’s a superbly timed publication with information about epidemics and pandemics including corona virus and a section on covid-19...A triumph for Button Books.”

@mrsburns Instagram Review https://www.instagram.com/p/CWpvi2iM77_/
“This series of books are an absolute dream. They introduce very complex ideas in a really manageable way...This book covers all sorts of things from types of bacteria and microbes to epidemic and our defences...Coupled with super engaging images this book really is another outstanding addition to the series."

@bookgiftblogger Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CVC78K-ogy0/
"The latest edition to this award winning series is another triumph! Produced in a vibrant and engaging format, this book introduces a hugely complex topic in an entertaining way. A scintillating #STEM read"

@afamilythatreads Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CVGZf-6sngw/
"Vibrant and entertaining, My First Book of Microbes introduces this complex topic in such a captivating and age-appropriate manner... We love this author and illustrators duo @sheddadkf and @eduardaltarriba.”

Red Reading Hub Blog review https://redreadinghub.blog/2021/10/19/my-first-book-of-microbes/
As always with this series, every spread is well-designed with a clear layout, diagrams and fact boxes that augment Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferrón’s thoroughly engaging text; and Eduard Altarriba’s colourful, sometimes playful illustrations help bring to life in an accessible manner, a topic that is sure to excite many youngsters, be they budding scientists or not.”

@raising_bookworms Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Zdu2K-Mp/
"This clever book introduces children to the key concepts and basic principles of microbes, viruses, bacteria and fungi. It guides the reader through some complex subject matters and sophisticated terminology, such as microbial biotechnology and multicellular organisms, without it being too ‘dumbed down’...This is a book that will really serve in its longevity and be used for projects and science based development throughout childhood and beyond.”

@teenyreaders Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CVIxLndKDQO/
"The latest in a fabulous series which makes science easy for kids to understand - but it's genuinely brilliant for everyone...@eduardaltarriba 's fab illustrations also help to make the science easy to get to grips with - there are lots of annotated images and diagrams...It's also worth noting how timely this release is... There's a spread on the importance of handwashing and scientific information about Covid-19... For children who might still find it hard to get their heads around, this could be a really useful way to help them understand the science behind it all. A fabulous addition to a very worthy series!"

@kidsbookstolife Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdntzNqjKw/
"My First Book of Microbes @gmcpublications @sheddadkf @eduardaltarriba is a wonderfully illustrated and engaging non fiction title which covers Bacteria to Viruses and everything in between. At a time when children have heard endless talk about 'the virus' or 'bugs' then I feel it's important that they have access to material which sets out what they are in context and without the fear factor...This book is packed full of information but it doesn't feel overwhelming as the page layout and fonts keep eyes moving round the page. As children get older then there is definitely much they will learn from it. It's right up-to-date too with a double page on COVID-19 which is great."

@home.read.play Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_GK24qB_-/

"This is the latest in an amazing series of books aimed at introducing kids to science in a fun, easy-to-understand way...The infographics are utterly brilliant, bright, clear diagrams go a long way to making those explanations comprehensive.”

@apocketfulofbooks Blog review https://www.apocketfulofbooks.com/our_blog
“This is a totally fascinating book that was packed full of facts and interesting information...This book makes the topics of microbes, viruses, fungi and bacteria really accessible, easy to understand and fun to learn about, with bite sized information and super illustrations...With our experience in this current pandemic it’s a really timely book, helping children to understand more about what is going on around them...The clear and simple explanations, and the attractive illustrations make this an ideal STEM book for children"

@mrsbrownsbookbox Instagram review https://www.instagram.com/p/CWVTKVXqb-Y/
“This fascinating book from the brilliant series by Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferrón and Eduard Altarriba, is packed full of marvelous microbes...The visual presentation of the book is really engaging. Bold diagrams, bright colours and cartoon like illustrations of quite cute microbes capture the readers interest and captions help explain complex information and scientific vocabulary in bite sized chunks.”

For My First Book of Quantum Physics

Physics Today, August 2018

“Filled with colorful and playful illustrations by graphic designer Eduard Altarriba, the book provides a basic introduction for children as young as eight to the development and key concepts of that highly complex subject.”

Publishers Weekly, 8th October 2018
“Educator Ferrón takes a lively approach to quantum physics, detailing the history of classical physics and introducing key concepts.”

American Scientist, 30th November 2018
“Written much like a coffee-table book for kids, this beautiful book excels at graphic design, with short sections and boxes where young readers can jump in and out of segments about famous scientists, classic experiments, basic concepts, and some experiments they can try themselves. From the periodic table to quantum entanglement, complicated topics are presented in an approachable way, and at least give young readers the basic concepts.”

Science, 4th December 2018
“Quantum physics has an image problem. Spooky, wacky, strange—the adjectives often used to describe its inner workings—paint a picture of an esoteric discipline. Yet, it is the rules of quantum physics that dictate the structure of matter, that help interpret the signals from distant stars, and that make your smartphone run. This message is nicely conveyed in My First Book of Quantum Physics… The illustrations are clear, eye-catching, and consistent… The book leaves young readers with a sense of quantum physics as a vibrant, active pursuit that has and will continue to influence their lives in very real ways.”