This fun, colourful picture book for younger children is about nasty ‘uncaring’ germs causing temporary illness. It has strong, bold, clear illustrations and a friendly font.
I really liked the invitation at the beginning of the book for the young readers to identify with the main character, Miyam (a cat) and even instructions on how to pronounce its name, Me-yaam. Also, an invitation to look out for Miyam’s friends, Aqua duck and Na-na (who can sometimes be hiding on the page). This was a very nice touch.
On the first page, there is some information woven in amongst the text and pictures about the website. I felt that this element might have been more appropriately situated at the end of the book. However, this is a minor point.
The text is beautifully simple in a rhyming style and perfect for a young child to listen to or join in with.
Anyone will identify with the list of illness symptoms described (and illustrated) as ‘germs’ start to affect a person. And the germs are portrayed as happy, fun-loving and totally uncaring – having a party and wanting, more than anything, to spread everywhere. The pictures of the germs are funny and a very enjoyable part of the story
There is an educational element – advice on hand washing and tactics to get better more quickly. The book ends on an optimistic note with the promise that an illness is almost always temporary even though unpleasant. So, the book reassures us. We will be out and about again, playing with friends in the park and the illness will be gone.
I enjoyed this book and I award it a well deserved 4 stars.
Not Available to Buy at The Book Dragon