Power to the Parasites!

Debut author Woods delves into the life and times of much-maligned parasites in this frolicking scientific foray. Enthusiastic, tongue-in-cheek text reminds readers that “parasites are all around you, quietly running the world,” then unfurls into approachable explanations about the myriad parasites found in birds, cows, fish, and human bodies. Humorous and cleverly titled chapters—such as “A Plague on Both Your Houses,” in which the author describes the Yersinia pestis that caused the bubonic plague—paired with animated illustrations by Mottram make sometimes gruesome tales about the history of parasites feel like a leisurely jaunt à la Ms. Frizzle. But Woods doesn’t let this joyful playfulness overshadow important messaging about these organisms and their impact on society. The author explains that while parasites can be bad for their hosts, “they are often good for the ecosystems in which they occur,” and cautions against outright detestation of their existence. For as humans work to eradicate parasites that have plagued humankind for centuries, “we might have made ourselves vulnerable to something much worse,” such as autoimmune diseases later in life. This enjoyable read will have readers exclaiming “cool!” instead of “ew!” Ages 8–12. (Nov.)