Follow the narrator as he takes us through the good and bad aspects of micro-organisms in this fun rhyming poem by Sam McBratney, explaining that while these unseen bugs can ruin food and make us ill, they also keep our world under control, by rotting food and plants that we no longer need. Lively illustrations by Eric Smith accompany the poem.

* Orange/Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages.

* Text type: A poem.

* A comparison chart on pages 14 and 15 helps children recap the key pros and cons of bugs, and provides a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities.

* Curriculum links: Science: Micro-organisms; Geography: Improving the environment