2015 Winner: Children's Science Picture Book

Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes, by Nicola Davies. Illustrat by Emily Sutton. Candlewick, 2014.

In Tiny Creatures, zoologist and award-winning science writer Nicola Davies tackles what is undoubtedly an uncommon topic for a children's picture book. Microbes are central to almost every aspect of biology, but talking to very young children about microscopic life is difficult. In Tiny Creatures, Davies demonstrates how a conceptually difficult topic can be effectively introduced to the very young by tapping into prior knowledge of the world they can see and experience through their senses. Throughout the book, the author focuses on the fundamental elements of the concept "microbe," using clear, jargon-free text that is complemented by Sutton's charming illustrations.