8 Helpful Books About Germs and Washing Hands for Kids

Best Books About Germs and Washing Hands for Kids

Since germs are invisible, books about bacteria and viruses can help kids learn all about them! Books about germs also show kids the importance of washing hands at home and school. This topic is super important for teachers to discuss at school so that students can keep each other safe. It’s also helpful for families to read and discuss together at home. Thankfully, there are many great children’s books about germs!

Best books about germs for kids

These picture books introduce teeny tiny germs with simple explanations and cute pictures.

What Are Germs? Usborne Lift-the-Flap Very First Questions and Answers book for kids

What Are Germs? Lift-the-Flap Book for Kids

Where do germs live? How do germs spread? This Very First Questions and Answers book is a great starting point for toddlers and preschoolers.

Peek behind the flaps to discover answers to frequently asked questions about germs.

Germs are Not for Sharing - picture book for kids

Germs Are Not for Sharing: Behavior Book for Kids

This book gives practical tips for young children to keep each other healthy. Each page has just a couple lines of text with prompts like “Say, ‘Tissue, please!'” and reminders to “turn your head away” and “cough into your sleeve.”

With these specific examples, kids can learn how their actions can make a difference in preventing germs from spreading.

Let's Read and Find Out About Germs

Germs Make Me Sick! Let’s Read and Find Out Book

Looking for a helpful book for early elementary-age kids? This picture book introduces the basics of germs, including the differences between bacteria and viruses. Children can relate to the pictures of common situations with realistic, diverse illustrations.

Best books about bacteria and viruses for kids

Wondering what the difference is between bacteria and viruses? How do antibiotics and vaccines help our immune system? In these children’s books, kids will learn all about these famous types of germs

Baby Medical School - Bacteria and Antibiotics

Baby Medical School – Bacteria and Antibiotics Science Book for Kids

This little board book is filled with just the right amount of facts for young learners. Bacteria and antibiotics are explained with easy-to-understand language.

To help with visual learning, colorful pastel cartoons are used to simplify microbiology concepts.

What is a Virus? Usborne Lift-the-Flap First Questions and Answers book for kids

What is a Virus? Lift-the-Flap Book for Kids

This board book with interactive flaps is helpful for toddlers and kindergarteners. In addition to explaining what a virus is and how it spreads, the book also describes common viruses, like chicken pox, ebola, hepatitis, and Covid-19.

Bonus: this book talks about vaccines and other ways to fight viruses. Therefore, this book can be useful for elementary school kids to learn how to prevent sickness from germs.

The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes (The Science Book Series)

The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes (The Science Book Series) 

Get ready to learn more facts about germs! This fantastic science book is filled with cool photographs of bacteria, viruses, and other mini microbes.

Plus, it delves into interesting details about microbiology in a clear and kid-friendly way. Here’s one fun fact about skin from the book: it contains lots of friendly bacteria!

Children’s books about washing hands and hygiene

Why should we bother washing our hands? Can sleep, healthy eating, and exercise help our body fight off infections? These books teach kids all about helpful hygiene habits.

Germs Versus Soap- A Silly Hygiene Book About Washing Hands!

Germs Versus Soap: A Silly Hygiene Book about Washing Hands!

People often say that “laughter is the best medicine”, and this picture book delivers laughs and helpful tips!

Through the silly story about germs fighting against soap, children can learn about hygiene and the importance of hand-washing.

The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Being Super Healthy - What You Need to Know About Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Hygiene, Stress, Screen Time, and More

The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Being Super Healthy

Written by a physician, this helpful book teaches how to stay healthy and fight off germs with kid-friendly explanations.

Being healthy is more than just good hygiene. As the cover says, this book explains what you need to know about nutrition, exercise, sleep, hygiene, stress, screen time, and more!

Tips for reading books about germs with kids

  • MAKE IT RELEVANT – Draw connections between what you read to what your child experiences in real life.
  • BE PATIENT – Because germs are invisible, kids need lots of reminders to wash their hands. That’s why reading books about germs can help!
  • EXPLORE EXPERIMENTS – Pair these books about germs with a microscope, a germ-growing kit, and fun experiments for memorable hands-on learning!

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