Germs vs. Soap by Didi Dragon

Handwashing is a vital skill for children to learn.  Their hands come into contact with countless germs each day.  This is especially problematic when children put their hands in their mouths or touch their eyes.  Handwashing is the best defense against spreading germs.  Germs vs. Soap by Didi Dragon is a fictional story based on facts.  It teaches children why they need to wash their hands and the right way to wash them.  Keep reading to learn more about this entertaining and educational story!

If you are looking for the handwashing (pepper + dish soap) activity, it has been moved to its own blog post.  You can find it at Pepper and Soap STEM Experiment.  Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

Author's Summary

Germs vs. Soap shows children (and adults) the secret world of germs and how much germs absolutely, positively do NOT like soap. In fact, these germs will do anything to trick kids into not washing their hands with soap because it's the one thing standing between them and their beloved energy cupcakes. And all they want is to gobble up all the energy cupcakes humans have to offer and then spread to eat some more. But only if soap doesn't get in the way. Otherwise, it's all down the drain for them. Children need to learn proper hand hygiene, but it does matter how you tell them. Did you jumpstart their imagination? A quirky book like Germs vs. Soap sticks with kids. The story becomes real, right there in the palm of their hands, the moment they step in front of the sink and pump some soap. Germs, beware!

🍎 Title: Germs vs. Soap

🍎 Author: Didi Dragon

🍎 Illustrator: Hannah Robinett

🍎 Publisher: AHA! Press

🍎 Date: June 29, 2020

🍎 Pages: 32

When do children need to wash their hands?

• Before and after eating
• Before and after touching a cut or scrape 
• After playing outside and touching the playground equipment
• After doing arts-n-crafts
• After playing with animals
• After blowing or touching their noses
• After being near someone who is sick
• After touching garbage
• After using the toilet

How should children wash their hands?

• Use warm water and get those hands nice and wet.
• Put some soap on your hands. Rub your hands together to make lots of soap bubbles.
• Make sure to scrub the tops of your hands, your palms, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Rinse your hands with warm water.
• Shake your hands, then dry them with a towel or air dryer.

Sometimes it's tricky to get children to wash their hands and to wash them properly.  What do you do to encourage your students and children to wash them?  Share your ideas in the comments below!

(Next Article: 10 Children's Books about the Coronavirus)