Title:  Meike and the Microbiome Bunch

Authors:  Christopher Cirino and Alicia Scheffer-Wong

Site:  Amazon Kindle E-book ($6) or Paperback ($9).

Did you know that we more bacteria on and in us than we have cells that make up our body? Estimates of bacteria to human cell ratio varies from 1:1 to 10:1.  Our bodies are a chimera of human and bacteria.  Just in the digestive system alone, or the “Big Colon” there are 100 trillion bacteria populating it.  One teaspoon of stool outnumbers the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

The microbiome helps our body in more ways than we realize.  Our bodies have adapted to this internal and external environment that abuts our cell lining.  The microbiome has earned a designation of “honorable organ,” with its weight of 2-6 lbs.  Other important organs weigh about the same (LIKE THE BRAIN!).

Overview:

• Meike (MI-KAY) is a microbial journalist reporting the events that occur in and on our body.  She introduces children to a universe of bacteria on each and every one of us.  She explains the factors that promote wellness and  the how and why bacteria cause infection.
• Children will familiarize themselves with the microbiome and ways that bacteria grow. The story will open their eyes to how our health affects our bacteria and how we can be stewards to our microbiome.

Features:

• The book has a lot of fun features that kids will surely enjoy.  The bacteria included are cute, approachable caricatures.  The artwork is a fun exploration into the body systems.
• Children will love the Gallery of the Microbiome Bunch, a section that features all of the members in the bunch, their domain, and potential harms.  There is also a sneak-peek page the Electron Micro-Gallery of Villainous Viruses which will leave your children fascinated and looking for more on the topic.

About the Authors:

The book was written by Christopher Cirino and Alicia Scheffer-Wong, a long-time friend and colleague.  Back in college, we were microbiology majors and lab-rats together.  I am grateful to have collaborated with her on this.  Now, they are already decades into their careers, Chris, an infectious diseases specialist, county health officer, wellness expert and Founder of Your Health Forum and Alicia, an entrepreneur and microbiome expert (POOP!) with her company Floragraph Inc.

Please support our cause to make microbiology exciting (we already know that it is important!) and accessible to children and adults alike.

The book can be purchased on Amazon either in a Kindle E-book ($6) or paperback ($9).

Pick up Your Copy Today!

Meike in her office preparing for her report