‘Sick!’ New kids book by Alabama author explores how animals fight germs

 1658269956 
1708444007

"Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs," explores how animals fight off pathogens.

Heather Montgomery

As an environmental educator, Heather Montgomery spends a lot of time thinking about wildlife. So in 2020, when COVID-19 swept the globe, Montgomery “turned to the animals for answers.” 

“I went out in the woods,” she said, “and it dawned on me that every species that surrounded me had survived a pandemic at one point through history, and I wondered, ‘How?’”

That inquiry became the subject of her new children’s book, Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs. It’s a series of stories about how animals fight off all kinds of pathogens, from chimpanzees that get rid of parasites to alligators that combat deadly bacteria.

Montgomery was especially curious about the germ-fighting abilities of vultures. 

“How in the world does a vulture not vomit?” she said. “Literally, they’re putting their head in dead, decaying, disgusting stuff.” 

Montgomery explored the mystery in chapter five, Buzzard Buddies, which details the research of a scientist who has spent years studying vultures. Each chapter follows a similar format, taking readers through the meticulous process of forming a hypothesis and searching for answers. 

“As I dug into the fun facts, I got as interested in the scientists’ story,” Montgomery said, noting that she interviewed researchers from around the globe while writing her book. “Talking to the scientists is phenomenal. Many of them are excited to share.”

Sick! is the seventh publication for Montgomery, who lives in north Alabama. Her previous titles explore topics including roadkill, bug parenting and animal poop. This time around, Montgomery included comic strips to help break down the complicated topics of pathogens and infectious disease. 

“I do like to dive into the details,” she said. “And I’m not really scared to share with kids the complex things, because kids are smart.”

Montgomery said she learned a lot while researching and writing Sick! She was especially amazed by the surprising benefit of microbes and how they can help species adapt over time.

“I never really thought about it, that basically germs drive evolution,” she said. “Blew my mind.”

While she doesn’t expect every reader to remember every detail, Montgomery hopes people finish her books feeling excited about science.

“I want to leave questions, because we’re curious people and that’s fun,” she said. 

Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs is available Tuesday. 

 

Kiss cam incident at Coldplay concert highlights the technology’s awkward history

A couple embarrassed to be caught on the big screen cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts this week sent the Internet into a frenzy. It's not the first time kiss cams have caused mishaps at stadium events.

A vehicle drove into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including at least 3 critically

A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Angeles early Saturday, injuring 30 people.

The week when crypto won big in America

Congress passed the first major crypto legislation in the U.S., marking a major milestone for the digital currency sector. And with President Trump's support, the industry plans to march on.

Trump administration ends 988 Lifeline’s special service for LGBTQ+ young people

Callers to 988 used to be able to press 3 to reach counselors specially trained to help LGBTQ+ young people. The service had been reaching 70,000 people a month.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles for permanent ceasefire

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire to be signed in one month.

Muddy boots and AI are helping this threatened frog to make a comeback

How do scientists monitor the populations of the threatened California red-legged frog? With careful listening and a little help from AI.

More Environment Coverage