The GUT CLUB’s Keith Bell has authored and published a children’s book:
I Wonder What it’s Like To Be a Raindrop: The Rainmaking Bacteria
Beautifully illustrated by Brent Bludworth, longtime art teacher, Keith’s friend and neighbor.
The new book is perfect for classrooms K-6, including STEM education programs. Available in hard cover, soft cover and eBook version.
28 pages, 8.5″ by 8.5″ square.
For bulk orders of five (5) or more books including wholesale discount, please contact us directly: thegutclub@thegutclub.org
This may be an adult book in disguise! Because most people have yet to hear about rainmaking bacteria! The fact is 99% of rain comes from ice clouds, and these special bacteria create ice in clouds at relatively high temperature. This is called ice nucleation. A detailed epilogue is at the adult level.
This is the story of a boy and girl who wonder what it’s like to be a raindrop. They discover bacteria living inside raindrops and learn how bacteria in soil and on plants float up into clouds where they make ice to create rain. Then the rainmaking bacteria fall back to Earth, waiting to be windswept skyward for the cycle to continue . . .
The story includes colorful characters, the raindrops and their bacteria, filled with personality. Vibrant illustrations bring life to the story, creating awareness about one of the most important, global issues of our time, our environment and weather patterns.
The book has received some nice publicity in The Palm Beach Post:
And here is a wonderful and informative review of the book on Eternal Microbe located in Cork, Ireland, home of some of the most prolific microbiota researchers on Earth, most especially about the microbiota-gut-brain axis!
There is also focus on environmental issues related to soil microbiota in agriculture affected by chemicals and drought leading to wildfire. And the book makes the strong case that rain dancing is real! Because when enough people dance on soil, the ice nucleating bacteria and dust rise to the clouds to make rain!
We hope you enjoy the book! Thanks for reading and sharing with your family.
Check out this video of rainmakers in action!
Here’s a beautiful and educational new November 2021 review of the book by Eternal Microbe.