Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World
by Eleanor Spicer Rice, Rob Wilson
This lively peek into the amazing world of microbes, replete with a kid-pleasing "ick" factor, is chock-full of facts, humor, and fun illustrations.
Microbes are everywhere: outside, indoors, on your body, in your body. In fact, only about half of our bodies' cells are human cells—the rest are microbes. Whether helping people digest their food or using mind-control techniques to lure mice into the path of hungry cats (no, really), microbes form an unseen jungle all around us. Through zany facts, hilarious and sometimes disgusting illustrations, and interviews with experts in their fields, aspiring young scientists (or kids who just want to be grossed out) will discover a hidden world in which your health depends on a myriad of microbes, houseflies get zombified by fungi, and termites are saving the planet one fart at a time. With such extras as sidebars, limericks, and even a lesson on how to draw E. coli, this "eww"-worthy treasure trove for kids is an engrossing romp into the microbe drama unfolding where you might least expect it.
Paperback
Brand New
Author Biography
Eleanor Spicer Rice, PhD, is an entomologist and the author of seven books, including Dr. Eleanor's Book of Common Ants, Dr. Eleanor's Book of Common Spiders, and Ants: Workers of the World. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, sons, dogs, hermit crabs, an assortment of spiders and insects, and a small but valiant flock of homing pigeons.
Rob Wilson is an award-winning illustrator and celebrated graphic designer who has created work for the Washington Post, New York magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Mother Jones, and the covers of best-selling books. He is the creator of the icon for the popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale, and his work has been featured in galleries in London and New York City, where he lives.
Review
Developing the theme that "microbes impact our lives and our world in big, beautiful, and sometimes creepy ways," Spicer Rice explains the varied roles bacteria and other tiny guests play in digestion, decomposition, spreading or fighting diseases, and killing hosts or keeping them healthy. Readers who relish biology that veers into the "creepy" will be riveted.
—Booklist Reviews (starred review)
Presents the behind-the-scenes microbial influence over familiar creatures and environments (mind-controlling fungi in humble houseflies, for example) in all its sometimes gory glory, with enough detail to satisfy young readers' curiosity as well as their delight in all things icky but not so much as to become overwhelming. . . . the author's palpable excitement for the topic makes an already-fascinating subject even more engaging. An entertaining and informative exploration of a hidden world.
—Kirkus Reviews
Eleanor Spicer Rice breaks down facts about microbes in an often hilarious, frequently gross, and overall interesting way.
—School Library Connection
Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World is both fascinating and funny, with just the right amount of gross.
—The Reading Eagle
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