Do not lick this book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost

Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293055
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Microbes. STEM. An infectiously funny look at microbes and their place in the world is given in this delightful tale of Min as she navigates some of the more recognisable things in a child's environment to see how it is made up.
Min is introduced as something very very small, so small in fact, that millions would fit upon the dot placed in the middle of the page. Over the next few pages, Min is shown as part of all the things around, and then when our eyes zoom in more closely to the page, we see Min as part of the fabric of the page. The microscopic image of the page will stop the readers in their tracks as they take in the detail from a completely different perspective, with Min sitting there inviting them to go with her by picking her up and putting her on their finger. Readers will delight in this activity, placing their finger on the circle on the page to have Min on their fingers. That little circle will be the brownest thing in the book!
With Min firmly in place, the reader visits their teeth, their belly button and their shirt to look into the microscopic image. Each time, Min is joined by another microbe.
When the story is finished, Min and her friends are placed back onto the page. Readers will have gained a little understanding of what microbes are and certainly seen some microscopic images which will thrill and entertain them.
Humour abounds in the dialogue between the microbes, and the page at the end of the book which outlines just what sort of microbes the four friends are, adds another level of interest to the reader.
This is a hugely involving tale of microbes for the early reader, sure to be part of any STEM activity in the classroom.
Fran Knight