Germs Are Not for Sharing

Best Behavior

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Achoo! Cough! F-L-U-S-H! What to do? In childcare, in preschool, at home, and everywhere, toddlers need to learn that germs are not for sharing. Rather than focus on what germs are, this book teaches the basics of not spreading them: Cover up a sneeze or cough. Hug or blow kisses when you’re sick. And most of all, wash your hands! Child-friendly words and full-color illustrations help little ones stay clean and healthy. Includes tips and ideas for parents and caregivers.

Genres: Picture Books, Health, Childrens, Nonfiction, Storytime, Science, School

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read with fun pictures and a very important message. It is even more important than ever before since we live in a world with COVID-19 and it is crucial for everyone including kids and adults alike to get rid of the germs.

Scrub the tops, scrub your palms,
wash under your nails and even your wrists.
Now
rinse,
rinse,
rinse...

5 stars

[Seon Kim]

My toddler classroom loves to read this book. They love the "scrub, scrub, scrub," and "rinse, rinse, rinse" parts. I asked few questions during the read aloud and children started to understand the importance of hand washing. It is one of the great book to introduce hand washing to young children.

[Elizabeth Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Germs are not for sharing" is about children learning how to avoid sharing germs among each other. There are many ways to avoid germs such as not kissing when being sick, washing hands when necessary, and throwing out food if it has fallen on the floor. The book teaches children necessary skills of avoiding germs and staying healthy. The book supports self-image children learn the process and become independent as well as aware of not being told what to do all the time. The Book is supports language skills children are able to communicate about germs as they help one another to follow the process. They are also using songs to remember the process of avoiding germs as they wash their hands. The illustration is really helpful it has children teaching each other as they show how to do things to avoid germs. I love how the book is bilingual. Its in two languages English and Spanish its promotes language learning to make sure children learn two languages. There can be a child who doesn't speak one of the languages they will be able to understand what the book is about now because it promotes two primary languages.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Germs Are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick is a book level 1.7.

Summary: This book informs young children about germs and how to prevent germs from spreading around from one person to another.

Classroom Integration: This a very low level book and probably would not go well for older elementary school students, I would focus this more on younger elementary students and teach them on how to help prevent germs being passed around to each other. I would suggest this being read to 1st graders and stopping to emphasize the conventions they use throughout the book. The author is obviously a good author and is published but she also breaks the rules of conventions every once in a while to make a good point. I would point that out to students and then have them go write their own stories about an every day activity like brushing their teeth, or getting dressed and make sure to use complete sentences but just like in the book they spell out f-l-u-s-h to make a point.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an informational picture book about not sharing germs. It teaches children in a fun, yet informational way on how to keep clean when you are sick. This is important for young children to learn because it'll teach them young that contaminating others with your germs can make them very sick. The book is aimed for young children. I would recommend this book to children 4 and up. It is written in an easy to understand manner, and includes words that are easy to figure out. The style it is written in is informative, and each informational piece is backed up with a reason why, which is smart because young children always ask why. I would not recommend this book to young adults because it is clearly a children's book, and adults should know how to keep themselves clean from germs.

[Samantha Beaujour · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. None.
2. Pre K
3. This books explores different ways people get germs on their hands. It illustrates how to properly wash those germs away or prevent them from spreading. From sneezing, coughing, using the bathroom, to hugs and kisses.
4. This books is cute way to inform children how not to spread germs. Child-friendly words and colorful illustrations to help young children stay clean and healthy.
5. Sprinkle glitter on students hands and have them observe the difference when they wash their hands with just water and washing it with water and soap. Discuss and write the possibilities of what can happen when people don't keep their germs to themselves.

[Viridiana Rico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because caregivers and parents need to teach children that germs can easily spread and make them feel sick. This can be a useful book to teach children that when anyone has to sneeze or cough they should cover there mouth or arm so that they won't spread any germs to their peers. Hand washing is very important way to prevent illnesses. After I finish reading the book, I will tell and teach the children how to wash their hands properly by counting or singing a song that they can easily memorize. The illustrations are simple and colorful which children will love.

[Samantha Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story shows what to do to not share germs. Learning and teaching these things to a child is very important so having a book for them to see what to do makes it more fun. I thought this book would really help a kid learn and really help a parent learn how to teach them these important lessons. In the back of the book there is also a guide for parents to learn how to teach even better which I thought was very special. The pictures in the book were cute and informative at the same time. I enjoyed this book and when I have kids one day I plan on reading this to them.

[Sean G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally think it is very important that children read informational books such as this one to learn about the basics of learning healthy habits. There are many helpful tips throughout the book including extra precautionary steps that everyone should take to prevent the spreading of germs such as covering your mouth to cough or sneeze. The colorful imagery is an excellent addition to the book because it physically demonstrates positive health habits.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the bilingual edition of this book with Spanish alongside English text.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such serendipity in book choice, having this out during a pandemic has been excellent.

[Fátima Filipa (Mimodoslivros) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro muito bom, indicado para ler às crianças nesta altura de pandemia.
As ilustrações é que no meu ver poderiam ser melhores.
Para quem quer conhecer o livro consulte o YouTube de uma amiga minha onde ela nos fala do livro:
https://youtu.be/wb6HdslNgkA

[Grace Glenaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored reading the book "Germs Are Not for Sharing" by Elizabeth Verdick. This book is about children learning how to avoid sharing germs among each other. There are many ways to avoid germs such as washing hands when necessary, throwing out food if old, and avoiding contact with other people when you're sick. The book teaches children necessary skills of avoiding germs and staying healthy. The book supports children learning the process of becoming independent, as well as aware of not being told what to do all the time. I read this book to my Kindergarten class I have been observing, and I consider this book to be very informational. It was a book intended for kids to pick up on sequence sayings like "scrub, scrub, scrub" and "rinse, rinse, rinse." By the end of our group reading session, my kiddos said they felt like the genuinely learned something about washing their hands. It was even followed up by some apologies such as if a kid wasn't feeling well and they sneezed. Instead of a response where they laughed, they would apologize to the other person and try not to do it again. I was blown away by how much this book had these Kindergartener's attention. For a younger audience, I would defiantly keep this book in my library!

[Pablo Enrique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book functions less as a traditional narrative and more as a piece of direct, instructional non-fiction tailored for a preschool audience. Its purpose is purely utilitarian: to communicate the fundamentals of hygiene in a way that is clear, concise, and immediately understandable to very young children. In this, it is exceptionally successful. The text is succinct and the directives are easy to follow, providing a valuable and accessible tool for its intended purpose.

The prose is direct and clear, but I found the artwork to be a bit simple. While I generally prefer more artistically elevated illustrations, the style here seems to be a deliberate choice. It mirrors the simplicity of a child's own drawing, likely to make the concepts more relatable and less intimidating for its target audience.

Ultimately, the work should be judged on its effectiveness in achieving its specific goal. As a practical, engaging guide to an important topic for children, it is a well-executed and effective resource.

[Annah Neumire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This informational picture book tells children how germs are everywhere. Anywhere you touch, there are germs and these germs can make you sick! It is important for children to know how easy it is to spread sicknesses because of these germs. It also tells the reader how you can get rid of germs; by washing your hands. I thought it was very cool that the author listed 10 good times to wash your hands. This is very beneficial for children to know! I thought it was a great idea to incorporate this topic through a picture book with vivid and engaging pictures.

This is an excellent choice to read to your young children before they enter the school world, or even on the first day of kindergarten. We know that germs spread rapidly throughout schools, so ensuring children know how to wash their hands and when they should is important.

[Halle Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Verdick's children's book "Germs Are Not for Sharing" teaches young readers the value of hygiene and how to stop the transmission of germs. The book describes how germs spread from person to person and how we may protect ourselves from them, such as washing our hands frequently, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze, and not sharing food or drinks, in simple language and with vibrant graphics. The significance of staying at home when we are sick and obtaining medical assistance when necessary is also emphasized in the book. "Germs Are Not for Sharing" encourages healthy habits and lowers the risk of sickness by instructing kids on the value of hygiene and how to stop the spread of germs.
Especially coming out of a worldwide pandemic, this book is essential for children to learn the importance of not spreading germs which gives it a 5 out of 5.

[Tileyah Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a non-fiction book. This book is about washing your hands and staying clean and healthy. This book demonstrates that we need to wash our hands everywhere we go because everything we touch is dirty and has germs on it. with this book, kids do understand that they will make a mess, but we need to clean up our mess afterwards and make sure if there was anything that would potentially get anyone sick that it needs to be cleaned up and to clean our hands also. And with how the world is with Covid or the other diseases and sickness, this would be a good book to explain what to do to stay clean. So, I recommend this book for kids definitely.

[Elora Sommerauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read the book "Germs are not for Sharing" because I feel like it is important for children to understand that they need to wash their hands all the time, and either before or after doing certain activities as well. This book is also great to read in the classroom, mainly for young children, because a lot of them don't understand why it is important to wash your hands and the necessity behind washing your hands. I also like how this book can have many great lesson plans to go along with it and make kids better understand the importance of hand washing.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straight forward book on ways to keep yourself healthy and stop the spread of germs to others. Great review for when you are going into germ season.

** Talking Points: Do you tend to have a strong constitution, or do you tend to get sick pretty easily? Do you tend to be more cautious or more careless when it comes to avoiding germs. How is that serving you? What do you think you could do to help have better health?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: doTERRA's On Guard Essential Oil blend would be the perfect to diffuse when talking about helping our bodies stay well.

[Hannah Benham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awards: Mom's Choice Award

Appropriate Grade Level: Pre-K and Kindergarten

Summary: This book teaches about the scary reality of germs! Kids learn how to properly protect themselves and others from getting sick from these germs.

Review: This book is a fun way to teach kids the importance of hygiene while also not being too dense. This allows for very interactive read alouds.

In-Class Uses:

1) This is a great way to start a unit on hygiene (around cold & flu season especially)! This is a fun way to introduce and reinforce these ideas.

[Sanabil Fadil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful informative book !

It really good book to teach children how to avoid spreading germs. The author uses informative and easy style to teach children the need to be clean and healthy.
The book is a short course for kids on what germs are, what they do, and why it`s important to block them from spreading, including pictures and full-color illustrations to show real-life situations kids can relate to.
The author includes a special section for adults, providing ideas for teaching their children how to block the spreading of germs.
I highly recommend this book !

[Meaghan Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children are taught how to avoid spreading germs to one another in the book "Germs are not for sharing." The book promotes language development so that kids can talk to one another about germs and follow the steps. Also, they are singing songs to help them remember how to wash their hands and avoid spreading germs. The artwork is quite helpful because it features kids instructing one another on how to avoid diseases. I adore the book's bilingualism. It encourages language learning to make sure kids learn two languages and is available in English and Spanish.

[Kayla Doney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Germs are not for Sharing" is a children's book written by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen. The book teaches young children about the importance of good hygiene practices and how to avoid the spread of germs. The story follows a group of diverse children as they engage in everyday activities, such as playing with toys, sharing snacks, and touching surfaces. Throughout the book, the narrator emphasizes the importance of washing hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and avoiding touching one's face to prevent the spread of germs.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The childrens book here talks about how germs are not healthy and that they can acually cause children to get sick.Germs are everywhere in a classroom so its very smart to tell the kids to wash their hands right as they get into the classroom.The book has a repatative style that makes it easy for children to remember.I reccomend this book of young kids who need to learn that germs are not good for them.

[Katy Kahlich]

This book teaches children the basics of how germs spread and how we can stop the spreading of germs. It is important students keep themselves clean throughout the day so that their classmates and the teacher don't get sick. It also teaches students to cover up a sneeze or cough. It also teaches students how to interact with others when they are sick, for example, elbow five or blow a kiss. The illustrations in the book are great and kid-friendly.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book mentions washing your hands after sneezing or coughing, it isn't until well into the book even though the first page is about sneezing. I wish the hand washing bit was more included throughout; on the "Blow. Wipe. And toss" page, for example. I am curious about the book for older children with the same title and hope that it will meet my needs better.

[Maddie Gerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because i thought it would be a good way to teach kids about germs. It teaches kid what they should do in order to prevent spreading germs. I think pre-school kids would really like this book and be able to learn about germs. This book is simple and short with pictures, but it gets the point across about germs.

[Sheila Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does the trick: Teaches our children how to avoid spreading germs. It does such an effective job that last night an orange slice fell on our kitchen floor, I picked it up and ate it. Both my daughter went, "Oooooohhhh no! Mommy, you just put germs in your mouth. You're gonna get sick!"

I said, "Oh my gosh, you're right. I better remember not to eat food off the floor."

Hahaha

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because "washy, washy, washy," don't forget to wash your hands, like "A, B, C, D, H, K, L M, N, O, P..." And "ahchoo, ahchoo," don't forget to cover. "Why'd the puppy say that?" And there was a part my sister really loved, where she saw the puppy and she said, "why'd the puppy say that?"

[Tami Speakman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is well illustrated and the words are small for younger kids to understand. They explain all the different ways germs can be spread and all the reasons why you should wash your hands. They also explain that the child can sing the alphabet while washing their hands to make sure they are washing for long enough.