“Follow Your Gut is a standout example of modern nonfiction, especially in the Australian context, seamlessly blending comic book-style illustrations with current scientific knowledge. The story … is both interactive and engaging, with elements of character development that draw readers into the world of gut bacteria. Suitable for a broad audience, from young readers to adults, the book combines detailed information with humor, supported by illustrations that reinforce the content … making complex topics more accessible … The collaboration between artists, comic book creators, and microbial scientists results in a visually stunning and informative book that effectively engages the reader without sacrificing accuracy … This book serves as both an educational tool and an entertaining read, making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for readers of all ages, particularly preteens and those new to the subject.”
Judges’ comments from the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards
“The interaction between the immune system and the microbiome—both of these topics are so complicated that they make my head spin, but in Follow Your Gut you are led through this complex topic, meeting one player in the system at a time. The authors have done an amazing job of using character and narrative to draw you in, but they haven’t compromised on the science. Where else could you find an inspirational bacterium quoting a 13th-century Persian poet?”
Lindell Bromham, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Australian National University
“Follow Your Gut is a standout example of modern nonfiction … seamlessly blending comic book-style illustrations with current scientific knowledge. The story … is both interactive and engaging, with elements of character development that draw readers into the world of gut bacteria. Suitable for a broad audience, from young readers to adults, the book combines detailed information with humor, supported by illustrations that reinforce the content … making complex topics more accessible … The collaboration between artists, comic book creators, and microbial scientists results in a visually stunning and informative book that effectively engages the reader without sacrificing accuracy … This book serves as both an educational tool and an entertaining read, making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for readers of all ages, particularly preteens and those new to the subject.”
Judges’ comments from the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards
“It’s different, it really is dramatically different … You’ve got things to work at … and it’s a wonderful adventure.”
Robyn Williams, The Science Show
‘We are hearing more and more about our gut and the importance of what goes on in there, so a book that explains this ecosystem in a clever and entertaining way is very welcome … It’s a great choice for young people who have an interest in biology, and I can see it being a useful tool in high-school classrooms. We have reviewed this book in our YA space, yet it has been published as a general nonfiction title and would be at home in both our science and health sections too.’
Kim Gruschow, Readings
Praise for The Invisible War:
“What a great way to learn some pretty extensive science.”
David Suzuki, scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster
Praise for The Invisible War:
“A candidate for the first truly modern, 21st-century graphic novel.”
Dorion Sagan, author
Praise for The Invisible War:
“A touching, harrowing story … rivetingly interesting.”
The Canberra Times
Praise for The Invisible War:
“Strikingly original … and though the yuck factor is high, that’s exactly what will draw children in to learn about both World War I and microbiology.”
The Age
Praise for The Invisible War:
“Readers will alternately be gripped with anxiety, filled with wonder at the amazing defences of the human body, and grossed out. Fabulous.”
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for The Invisible War:
“Set on the macroscopic and microscopic level, The Invisible War is a revolutionary approach to cross-curricular learning (science & history) … and contains a wealth of extension material.”
Judges’ report from the 2017 Australian Educational Publishing Awards (awarded Most Outstanding Resource of the Year)
Praise for The Invisible War:
“The Invisible War provides detailed and clever insights into what life was like before modern medicine. The use of a graphic novel format to tell this historical human and medical story is very effective. That it presents an historically accurate portrayal of life for service personnel in World War I, as well as factual medical science at the time, is commendable. This media, in its static or digital form, is suitable for the Year Nine target audience. The supplied resources are developed to a high standard, encouraging the students to develop higher order thinking skills while engaging with the content. The resources would be great to support meaningful integration of science and humanities in classrooms. I think The Invisible War: a tale on two scales, would be a fascinating resource for students and teachers alike.”
Fiona Trapani, lecturer in science and biology education, University of Melbourne
Praise for The Invisible War:
“It’s wonderful to see a book written for youth tackle the complex subject of viruses and the human microbiota in such an entertaining way. No bacteria is left unturned in this book, and the explanations in the Appendix about ideas, phrases, and concepts covered in the story add to the understanding of the often complex processes and information presented. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the human gut, microbiology, viruses, cross-infection, and WWI Western Front history.”
The Children’s Book Council of Australia
Praise for The Invisible War:
“Beautiful, and an entertaining and informative read. Microbiologists or history aficionados who are also comic book fans should particularly love this.”
American Society for Microbiology
