Alez Learns About Germs
What’s inside...
Young Alez has questions about the sudden changes in people's behavior, especially Mailman Mike's. Her parents explain to her that invisible germs have caused a global health crisis, changing the world as they know it. Together, they embark on a quest to understand the crisis and learn how to keep themselves and others safe. This children's book uses the character of Alez the bunny to teach children about proper hygiene and social practices in a fun and engaging way.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Alez felt when he first learned about germs?
Why is it important to wash our hands regularly?
Can you think of other ways we can keep germs away besides washing our hands?
How can learning about germs help us take better care of our health?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own experiences or a story about when you learned something new about health, relating it to Alez’s discovery.
Encourage your child to express their feelings or any fears about germs, validating their emotions and using the book’s content to reassure them.
After discussing the questions, engage in a fun activity like drawing different types of germs or demonstrating proper handwashing technique to reinforce the lessons from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Personal Hygiene
Explanation: Alez learns through various scenarios how germs spread and the importance of washing hands to stay healthy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by adopting good hygiene habits such as washing hands before meals and after playing outside.
Example Lesson: Understanding Illness Prevention
Explanation: The story demonstrates how Alez's actions, like sneezing into his elbow, help prevent the spread of germs to his friends.
Real-World Application: Children learn to practice preventive measures like covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing to protect others from germs.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for One's Health
Explanation: Alez takes responsibility for his health by learning about germs and how to avoid them, which empowers him to make healthy choices.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take charge of their health by understanding the consequences of their actions on their well-being.
Example Lesson: Empathy Towards Others
Explanation: As Alez learns how his actions can affect others' health, he becomes more considerate and caring towards his peers.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be empathetic by realizing how their actions can impact the health of those around them and acting responsibly.
Example Lesson: Science Education
Explanation: The book introduces basic scientific concepts about bacteria and viruses, which fosters a curiosity about science and biology in Alez.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore more about science and how things work in the world around them.