“ I read your first book The Squid the Vibrio & the Moon to my four-year-old grandson and he was absolutely riveted. As soon as I finished, he demanded that I read it again. He was swept up by the story, the incredible characters in it and wonders of the relationships that have evolved. I look forward to the series to come.”

“Beautifully illustrated, well written, and provides a clear introduction to a hugely important topic.”

“‘The Forest In The Tree’ is a beautiful parable and reminder — from the perspective of the trees and their symbiotic fungal & bacterial friends — that all living things (including us) are connected. A stunningly illustrated introduction to ecological thinking from a scientific base.”

“Truth is stranger than fiction, and science truth is stranger than science fiction: Here is an adventure story as inspiring as any fairy tale—an epic tale of symbiosis which teaches children (and grownups!) ethics, ecology, and survival—and also happens to be true!”

“Congratulations, The Squid, the Vibrio & the Moon is superb…It’s very clever and great fun.”

“I really like these stories, because they take you on a fun journey, but they’re also really informative. I also like that there’s extra information at the end, and they even tell you how to pronounce the names. It [The Forest in the Tree] makes me think about what’s happening underground...I would see this tree here and that tree over there and think that they’re separate. But the book makes me think about what’s happening underground, and that they’re all connected. .”

“The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon charmed me, educated me and astounded me, and if anything I’m even more charmed, educated and astounded by Zobi and the Zoox. It’s tense, gripping and enthralling – not only for children but for all ages...one of the most original and exciting book projects for children that I’ve seen for a long time.”

“Aviva Reed’s wonderfully liquid illustrations infuse the microbial world with life, colour and a sense of movement; they clearly communicate the complexities of an interconnected and interdependent ecosystem.”

“When I read Zobi and the Zoox I felt like I was a Rhizobia bacterium making ammonia to help Darian build the reef. It was like I was floating around in the hot water of the reef seeing all the bleached coral. I also think that even though the Zoox, Zobi and even Darian are all quite small they mean a lot to the world, I also love the pictures.”

“A story that is poetic in its simplicity with beautiful, luminous illustrations that surprise and delight; inviting the reader to see the world with fresh eyes.”

“Scale Free Network’s production of The Squid, the Vibrio & the Moon and Zobi and the Zoox represents a fundamental shift towards the development of a new and transformative ecological imagination in children and adults alike. Each book tells an engaging story for sure, but what is exceptional about these stories is that they weave together complex and ongoing narratives about the worlds of art, science, technology, society and culture, politics, ecology and ethics to name a few. These books are exemplary of an important philosophy of education: do not assume that anything is so ‘grown-up’ that it is beyond children’s understanding; and do not assume that anything is so childish that it is no longer within the reach of adults.”

“An epic story of a world so far from our own - so close to our own - told with majesty and exquisitely illustrated. The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon gives the young reader everything they could want and much more: action, emotion, high drama and information, that explains with verve the interconnected story of life on another scale - and generates more questions as it fuels curiosity, ignites imaginations. This is narrative non-fiction at its best: a perfect bridge for primary-aged children to move from the relative safety of Story, to the often intimidating world of Information. Story is in our DNA - it is how we make sense of the world we observe/ experience from the micro to the macroscopic level. It enables us to connect to that world emotionally. The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon does this beautifully. Our 200 grade 3/4 students continue to wonder and question and talk with excitement and authority(!) about the key players of a story that has changed how they see and know the world. We look forward to what comes next!”

“Biological verité...as equally gripping and exotic as a fairy tale”

“A beautifully illustrated, exciting and engaging story that is sure to inspire a child’s imagination; while providing a scientifically accurate glimpse into the complex structure and living networks within soil.”

“Nema and the Xenos: A Story of Soil Cycles is a must-read for every child and every adult to remember that microbes make us, we are soil, we are members of a complex, creative, cooperative Earth Family.”

“The Forest in the Tree is an important and beautifully crafted book.”

“When I was reading the book (Zobi and the Zoox), I felt like I was a piece of coral near Darian, and I was just watching all these little things and animals and little business going on in the mucus and inside Darian. I really felt like I was a part of it.”

“Ali and Sepio - It’s like friendship but they don’t know each other - but they need each other.
It’s a very good story - It was like I went on the whole journey but on the way some of my friends died but then I got happy because we were glowing..
The moon belly picture was awesome it was like a sunflower glowing blue in the sky .
I think you should make a third book and I think the next book should be about the Protozoa going back to his home and his life coz it’s like they are old mans - is that really what they look like?
I like how the molecules bounced off to another person because it’s drawn well and you can see how it happens.”

“The foundation of all science is enquiry, and this book will encourage readers to wonder about the world, and desire to know more.”

“The illustrations throughout are detailed and evocative... the text manages to introduce a really complex symbiotic relationship in relatively simple terms.”

“A proper science book, inside a beautifully illustrated story aimed at kids, that emphasises cooperation about a part of the world that’s usually ignored. ”

“Today we were very excited to receive the book The Squid, The Vibrio and The Moon. I wasn’t really sure what our wee chap, who is almost 4, would think of it. I thought the language may have been too complicated for him but he absolutely loves the story. We have already read it three times and it only arrived at 2pm today.
He thinks it’s amazing that Sepio has an invisibility cloak and he enjoys all the “baddies”, Protozoa, Lizardfish and the Hawaiian Monk Seal. I think what you have created is truly wonderful. The fact that it is an engaging story of real life is fantastic and you can see him absorbing and learning so much without having to teach him anything. The illustrations are really easy to follow and understand with the story. The best part is he will continue to learn from this book as he ages.”

“The Squid, the Vibrio & the Moon is a beautifully designed and written book that will delight and challenge a young reader, leaving them wanting to know more about underwater creatures and their complex inter-relationships.”