Micro

This immersive, intricately illustrated book takes readers on a tour of remarkable microscopic worlds, unseen by the naked eye.

Offering close-up views of microscopic life in its original context, Micro takes the microscope out of the science lab and into the wild world.

Meet mind-boggling organisms, like adorable 'water bears' who can survive in almost any conditions, even outer space; jewel-like diatoms that live in our oceans and help fight climate change; and alien-looking bacteria that keep our guts healthy. See the familiar become extraordinary, as we zoom in on soap bubbles, grains of sand and the wing of a butterfly to reveal the hidden beauty of everyday life.

The book features an introduction to microscope technology, with information about their history, how they work, and what they allow us to see. It also includes a practical guide on how to use one, so that children can explore microscopic worlds for themselves, at home or in school.

About the Author

Jennifer N. R. Smith is an award-winning author and illustrator based in Bristol. Her first book, Glow, received multiple accolades, including a nomination for the esteemed Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2024. Her follow-up, Bang, won the Science and Technology category in the AOI World Illustration Awards 2024. She is also the author of Life, a BBC Discover Wildlife Book of the Year.

Dr George Janes is a molecular biologist and postdoctoral researcher working at Nottingham University. He is a regular contributor to BioNews.