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A Vaccine Is Like a Memory
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.
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.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2023
1 person is currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Rajani LaRocca
33books540followersRajani 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 and on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 21, 2023
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.
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.
December 28, 2024
This book should be required for adults to read.
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September 10, 2024I actually learned a lot from the backmatter!
November 14, 2023
I love this author. She makes difficult scientific topics so fun and digestible for kids.
November 29, 2024
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.
I thought this was really well done.
May 17, 2024
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.
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.
February 15, 2025
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.
Colorful art supports the text and makes this book perfect for children and those that need a simplified explanation of why to employ vaccines.
July 25, 2023
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!
October 10, 2023
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.
October 15, 2023
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!
October 23, 2023
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.
November 6, 2023
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.
April 26, 2024
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.
June 10, 2023
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.
July 11, 2023
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.
September 3, 2023
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!
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!
November 15, 2023
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!
Nicely done!
December 6, 2024
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.
April 1, 2023
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is an excellent introduction to how vaccines work, accompanied by colorful artwork.
This is an excellent introduction to how vaccines work, accompanied by colorful artwork.
Want to read
April 3, 2023Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
July 8, 2023
Interesting stuff! This would probably be best for middle school and up as an easy guide.
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July 27, 2023THE 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!
August 9, 2023
Incredible non fiction picture book about the history of vaccines and how and why they work!
September 15, 2023
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.
October 24, 2023
Loved how simple and informative this book is! A great book for anybody, child or adult, looking to learn about vaccines.
October 27, 2023
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.
November 7, 2023
Engaging and kid-friendly explanation of vaccines.
December 7, 2023
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!
December 10, 2023
I think I was wishing this was more "Your One and Only Heart." At the same time, this book was still very informational and there are some facts that I'll carry with me!
December 14, 2023
First half of the book is great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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