7 Helpful 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 important of washing hands at home and school. This topic is super important for teachers to talk about 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 lots of great children’s books about germs to choose from!
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Children’s books about germs
These picture books introduce teeny tiny germs with simple explanations and cute pictures.
What Are Germs?
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
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.
Germs Make Me Sick!
Looking for a helpful book for early elementary age kids? This picture book introduces the basics about germs, including the differences between bacteria and viruses. With realistic, diverse illustrations, children can relate to the pictures of common situations.
Children’s books about bacteria and viruses
Wondering what the difference is between bacteria and viruses? How do antibiotics and vaccines help our immune system? These books focus on these two famous types of germs .
Baby Medical School – Bacteria and Antibiotics
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?
This board book with interactive flaps is actually helpful beyond the typical toddler age. 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. Also, this book talks about vaccines and other ways to fight viruses. Therefore, this book can be useful for elementary school kids, too.
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 children’s books focus on helpful hygiene habits.
The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Being Super Healthy
Written by a physician, this helpful guide 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!
Germs Versus Soap
People often say that “laughter is the best medicine”, and this picture book delivers laughs along with helpful tips! Through the silly story about germs fighting against soap, children can learn about hygiene and the importance of hand-washing.