Review Detail

Meena and the Microbiome

Kids Fiction 246

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

April 10, 2025 (Updated: June 06, 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!