Microbes to the Rescue

Microbes are tiny but mighty, and they're everywhere!

When left alone, microbes such as bacteria, fungi and algae are experts at adapting, surviving and thriving under extreme and constantly changing conditions. These natural problem solvers can help fight the climate crisis by gobbling up pollutants, breaking down plastic, generating clean energy and capturing carbon. By harnessing the power of microbes, we can create eco-friendly packaging, farm-free food, and even make it easier to live in space! Microbes to the Rescue will introduce young readers to life on a microscopic level and explore how bacteria, fungi and algae play a key role in the connection between all life on Earth. Let’s get microscopic and learn about how microbes can create a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Yolanda Ridge is the author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including What Poo Can Do: How Animals are Fighting the Climate Crisis, Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us, CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA and Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. Yolanda lives in Rossland, British Columbia.

• Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard SelectionCommended 2025

Yolanda Ridge is the author of three other juvenile nonfiction titles, What Poo Can Do: How Animals are Fighting the Climate Crisis (Orca Book Publishers, 2024) Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us (Annick, 2023) and CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA (Annick, 2020). She’s also written several middle-grade novels, including two environment-themed titles for Orca Young Readers. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. She lives in Rossland, British Columbia.