Jumping right into this review, I want to say that this book was written in a weird way. There were a lot of run=on sentences that I noticed (a pet peeve of mine!!), and the author talked about 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic like it happened decades ago rather than 5 years ago. It's WAY too soon to start referring to the time of the pandemic as "the early 2020's". This was said twice, and I think that it could trip up some readers, as it did me. Those are really my only two critiques but, truly, don't get me started on the run-on sentences...especially in an educational kids' book.
Overall, though, I thought that this book did a very thorough job of giving an introductory lesson on public health to younger readers. Kids will definitely finish this book knowing at least one new thing, and maybe even feeling inspired to explore this topic further. For me, this specific quality is wonderful for a book to have, so bravo for that!

This is a very good look at the role of public health, and the resources that we rely on that are protected by this department at the state and federal level. I think this provides a good overview and teaches students important facts. Adults may benefit from reading it as well, as it is a good summary of the responsibilities and purpose of public health.

This would be a very good supplement for a social studies or biology unit for homeschoolers and classrooms. I recommend this text for schools and libraries.

As someone who works in public health and in education at the college level, I was excited to see how this important topic was being introduced to younger students. Public health, as a field, is complex and multifaceted, so making it accessible and engaging for a middle-grade audience is both necessary and a real challenge. Unfortunately, for me, this book didn’t quite stand up to that task.

I felt there were several missed opportunities and questionable decisions throughout the book. For instance, at no point does the author clearly describe public health as a science. While public health certainly encompasses more than science alone, one of its core principles is evidence-based practice. Framing it this way would help young readers begin to understand public health as a field grounded in real-world data and scientific inquiry, AND help break down the myth that science only happens in labs with test tubes and lab coats.

Another major gap was the lack of contrast between public health and medicine. Children are familiar with going to the doctor; drawing a clear comparison between public health and clinical care would help clarify what public health is, and what it isn’t. Oddly, references to healthcare or medicine were largely avoided, even when it would have made sense given the surrounding text and made the concepts more relatable.

The opening case study on COVID-19 also felt like a strange choice. While it’s understandable why it was included, it’s worth questioning whether the target audience will have enough memory or context to fully understand its significance (especially as time passes). Similarly, international examples like malaria prevention and surveillance were introduced with minimal context, making them more confusing than illuminating.

The “How to Help” section was another missed opportunity. Many of the suggestions don’t seem appropriate or actionable for readers in the target age range. Why not focus on age-appropriate contributions, like promoting handwashing, learning about their local community, or asking questions about how their school or neighborhood promotes health?

There were also concerning issues with how certain concepts were framed. One that stood out to me was on page 10, when discussing how physical, mental, environmental, and social factors affect health. Here, the author lists “what color someone’s skin is” as an example of a social factor that influences their health. This phrasing is misleading and problematic. While there are clear disparities in health outcomes based on racial group, those disparities are not DUE TO race itself. Presenting it this way suggests there are innate biological differences based on skin color, which is blatantly untrue. At best, this is a poor choice of words; at worst, it reinforces harmful and racist misconceptions.

One bright spot was the “Areas of Care” graphic on page 23, which was an effective visual summary. I wish the book had included more visuals like this throughout and built on these within the text.

In summary, while the book attempts to introduce public health in an accessible way, to me, it falls short. With stronger framing, more age-appropriate content, and greater care in how complex topics are presented, this could be a much more effective resource for young readers. As it stands, however, it’s a confusing and occasionally troubling introduction to an important field.

Some of the issues I’ve noted may have less to do with the book itself and more with the way it is presented in isolation. In the full context of the collection it belongs to, or with supplementary materials that might accompany it in an educational setting, some of the concerns around clarity, framing, and age-appropriateness might be better addressed. However, based on this limited preview alone, the material feels underdeveloped and at times confusing for a text intended to serve as a foundational introduction to public health.

Thank you to NetGalley, North Star Editions, and Focus Readers for the advanced copy for review. Opinions are my own.

I don’t really understand the inclusion of the first “hook” chapters in these books. I don’t find them particularly helpful in kicking off learning about the subject matter. Otherwise, the actual setup of the book is good for really little ones. Large and sparse text, with plenty of imagery throughout. This book is formatted with a simple and legible font, covering subjects from Covid-19, to avoiding outbreaks in a very basic manner. This title includes focus questions and a glossary in the back.