A Vaccine Is Like a Memory

by Rajani LaRocca

This timely book details the importance of vaccines and how they were developed throughout history, as well as how they work to protect your body and keep it healthy.

Do you remember every time you've been sick?

You may not, but your body does! With many illnesses, you can't get sick more than once because your body remembers and fights it off before you get sick again. But what if your body could recognize germs that you've never had before so you don't get ill? There's where vaccines come in! This book comes complete with extensive back matter all about types of germs and vaccines.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens, Stem, Kids, Medical

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young people, including Red, White, and Whole, which won a 2022 Newbery Honor, the Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, and New England Book Award. Her other books include: Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), Where Three Oceans Meet (2021), My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris (2021), The Secret Code Inside You (2021), I'll Go and Come Back (2022), and more. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.

Reviews

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a practicing doctor, and I've been getting and administering vaccines for years. But I was still fascinated to learn more about the history of vaccines, how they were first developed (and when!), and how they have prevented illness for a very long time.

I'm thrilled to share this history and science with young readers. Kathleen Marcotte's fun and fantastic illustrations help both history and science come to life.

[Anna Wooliver Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required for adults to read.

[Meg]

I actually learned a lot from the backmatter!

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be mandatory reading for every human on the planet. There is so much misinformation out there about vaccines, and this little book explains everything so even an 8 year old can understand.

It isn't okay how many people are scared of vaccines simply because they don't understand them.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. She makes difficult scientific topics so fun and digestible for kids.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text and cartoon illustrations introduce the history of vaccines, including the technological advancements that enabled COVID-19 vaccines to be developed quickly. Diversity is present in the illustrations, and sidebars and back matter add interest and value to the narrative.

I thought this was really well done.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Rajani LaRocca breaks down for young readers what a vaccine is, the history of vaccination, how it works, the different kinds, and why they are important.

The immune system can be a little overwhelming to learn about in all its details, but LaRocca (who is a medical doctor in addition to being an amazing author) breaks down this complex process in easy to understand terms that give sufficient details to understand the basics of how they work. Her history of vaccines also gives credit to ancient civilizations who practiced inoculation that don't often get a mention in vaccine history books, so kudos to her deep research! This was written after Covid-19 so the development of the covid vaccine is also included and it is explained why vaccines like the covid one reduce symptoms instead of fully preventing you catching a disease. She also touches on why some people can't have vaccines (and even clarifies which kinds they can and can't have). An excellent resource that is simple enough for younger grades but detailed enough to be useful for readers even up into AP Bio for their first dip into the immune system.

[Karen Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book that even RFK should read. Doctor and author LaRocca provides historical look at smallpox and other epidemics before launching into the science and biology behind how vaccines work. Herd immunity, COVID and more are explained such that even morons in our government could understand the life-saving opportunities we have in vaccines. Spread this book and its info widely so that disease doesn't.

Colorful art supports the text and makes this book perfect for children and those that need a simplified explanation of why to employ vaccines.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really impressed with this short non-fiction picture book. Each page offers basic information with sidebars and end matter that go into incredible detail (e.g., the different between live attenuated vaccines and MRNA vaccines). The multiple levels of detail make this a great book for mixed age collections! Illustrations were both cute and technically detailed. Well done!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative and approachable for younger readers. The simile of a vaccine being like a memory is well-explained and effective and it is driven home by repetition. The illustrations in this book are charming and kid-friendly and I really like how the cover uses a dark chalkboard background to stand out. Really wonderfully done.

[Reshamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great STEM picture book explaining to our youngest readers what makes you sick and what prevents you from sickness - read : Vaccines. Explained in simple language with kid friendly illustrations and explanations, this book is a great example of making scientific concepts accessible to young readers. Must READ!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by an actual doctor, this book tackles a complex topic in a way that is easy to comprehend for kids and adults alike. This book helps us learn all about the history of vaccines and how they help our body protect itself. Vaccines work to help our body to fight against sickness and disease and this book is backed with real life facts.

[Anne Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy. This is a much needed book and I wish that everyone who has turned anti-vaccine the last few years would read this book, written for young children, to learn about how vaccines work, how herd immunity keeps people in a community safe, and the variety of diseases have been eliminated because of them.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that introduces the concept of vaccines in a really easy to understand way - like a memory of a disease your body never had. Covers the history of the creation of vaccines, common vaccines, and the importance of vaccines. A short section about how important vaccines were during the covid 19 pandemic so lives could be saved and the world could return to normal.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and beautifully illustrated book explaining vaccines and how they work. Every elementary school and library should have this book, and it should be read out loud in classrooms. We would all benefit if adults read this book too. A Vaccine Is Like a Memory will hopefully combat the misinformation and fear surrounding vaccines.

[Kristīne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grāmata 4-8 gadus veciem bērniem par jā, vakcīnām un potēm. Forši paskaidrots, kuras slimības esam gandrīz izskauduši, kā vakcīnas strādā. Teksts nav ļoti viegls, nezinu kā mans 4,5 gadnieks tiks galā, bet mēģināsim.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate this unique book and its accessible and informative exploration of vaccines. The history spreads are a little text-heavy, but all in all, a great book to help explain vaccines to children.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

This was great! I love the comparison of vaccine to memories. It makes them much more accessible. The book explains how vaccines were created, how vaccines work, and why vaccines are important in a way that is extremely accessible to young readers!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly enough I read this book about the same time I read the book by Bridget Heos about Viruses. This was just amazing and clear and simple to understand, but still fun and not too clinical and sterile.
Nicely done!

[Jessi Riel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for teaching kids about vaccines and germs. It’s colorful and engaging ands very, very informative without being too much to handle. I’d highly recommend it for 3rd-5th graders especially or younger children with adult assistance.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is an excellent introduction to how vaccines work, accompanied by colorful artwork.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting stuff! This would probably be best for middle school and up as an easy guide.

[Deborah]

THE REAL FACTS about vaccines, thorough and easy to understand, by a a children's writer who also happens to be a doctor. Should be required reading for all!

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible non fiction picture book about the history of vaccines and how and why they work!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Even Mommy learned a couple of things, and it helps me understand why vaccines are important, both to protect me and those that I love.

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how simple and informative this book is! A great book for anybody, child or adult, looking to learn about vaccines.

[Darshana Khiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read about the history and science of vaccines. It's chockful of information. The colorful illustrations are sure to engage young listeners. I recommend the book upper elementary and above.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and kid-friendly explanation of vaccines.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and informative - an excellent resource for kids. The title made me think the text would be more lyrical and poetic, but it isn’t. Still fascinating though!