Vaccines Change the World - Gillian King-Cargile

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Author: Gillian King-Cargile

Illustrator: Sandie Sonke
Genre: Children's nonfiction, Science.
Rating: 5 stars.

This. Was. Outstanding!!!

Having survived the covid-19 pandemic, there’s a great chance that you have taken at least one dose of the covid vaccine, If you are a parent, you have certainly seen the long list of immunisations that we have to ensure our little ones get. But have you ever wondered why/how these vaccines work?
Why do we need such a long list of injections for babies?
Who first developed these vaccines?
If you are a GoT fan, you might have heard of the Jon Snow who knows nothing, but have you heard of the John Snow who is considered the father of modern epidemiology?
Do you know how many people have, to date, successfully predicted a pandemic?
Have you ever wondered if any dangerous virus/disease has been completely eradicated from earth?
This book provides the answers to all these questions, and a lot more. I was planning to spread this read over a few days but the content was so mesmerising that I completed it in a go.

The information is excellent. The book covers various infectious diseases, the virus or bacteria causing them, and the scientists who worked on the respective vaccine. Every chapter has a correlation with the covid pandemic to help modern children understand the technicalities of a virus and its spread better.

The style of narration is perfect for its target age range of middle graders. Rather than making it sound like a drab scientific treatise, the story of each virus/bacterium/vaccine/scientist is written in an approachable way, making it interesting and compelling. There are plenty of colourful illustrations and add-on text boxes to provide a break from the heavy content.

Many children are afraid of injections but I hope this book helps them realise why it is so necessary to have vaccines, and how the brilliant scientists of the past used their knowledge and creativity to ensure a better quality of life and a longer lifespan for us all.

It would help if you have a scientific bent of mind as the content is a bit technical at times, though the authors have made it as accessible to laypersons as practically possible. There is a helpful glossary at the end.

Definitely a must-read book for every teen who wants to know more about the fascinating world of epidemiology. Much recommended to schools and libraries and even those adults who are vaccine-hesitant.

My thanks to Albert Whitman & Company and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “Vaccines Change the World”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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