Meena and the Microbiome

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Author(s)

Majdi Osman

Publisher

MIT Kids Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

February 25, 2025

ISBN

978-1536227598

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Did you know there are more microbes on Earth than stars in the universe? That some five million microbes live on your hand? A child’s curiosity helps her understand why these tiny organisms make such a big difference in her life.

After the last drop of rain falls, Meena and her mom head outside to their garden, which is bursting with veggies and flowers. But it isn’t the produce that Meena is curious about. It’s the microbes in the soil (giving it that earthy smell), in the compost pile, in our bodies—everywhere!—that have Meena wondering. How do they live? What do they eat? Where did Meena’s own microbiome come from? Comparing microbe communities to a bustling city, where everyone has a job to do, Meena’s scientist mom answers her questions while they garden, gather vegetables for a neighbor, have a snack at the picnic table, and end the day with a sudsy bath. Physician-scientist Dr. Majdi Osman introduces the adorable Meena during a day of eye-opening exploration, while Teresa Martínez’s engaging illustrations capture the mother-daughter pair in perspectives ranging from microscopic to bird’s-eye view. Back matter includes a resource list and an author’s note on the far-reaching role that the microbiome plays in our health and development.

Editor review

1 review

It's the stuff on your hands that you CAN'T see that should worry you.

April 10, 2025 (Updated: June 30, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Meena and her mother are working in the yard, and the mother points out that there are microscopic creatures living in the soil. She discusses how they move through the soil, but also how they exist on people's hands and in their stomachs. The mother is a scientist who works with microbes, so discusses what they eat, but also how microbes contribute to smells. Over lunch, the two talk about how the gut microbiome sometimes has chemicals that make people sleepy, and how the organisms help animals hibernate through the winter and not have to eat. After a handwashing session, the importance of cleanliness is mentioned as well, since certain microbes can make people sick! There is an afterword by the author describing some of the work he does as a physician and scientist.

Good Points

This had a lot of information about microbes; I didn't know that was what allowed animals to hibernate without eating! This would probably be too long for a class read aloud, but would make a good independent reading choice for an older elementary school student.

Joining Meena and her mother in the yard is a great way to get into the story, and the information goes along nicely with the work they are doing. The pictures show a lot of plants, as well as some cartoon microbes. My favorite part was looking for Stan the dog on each page as he frolicked in the background!

It's never too early to start learning about science, and this is a great story to introduce the idea of microorganisms. Pair it with titles like Crow-Miller's World of Rot, Barton's I'm Trying to Love Germs, Rice's Unsee Jungle, and for good measure, Krishan's How to Be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs if you are trying to encourage a new generation of readers interested in science and biology!