We Fell Into The Microscope!
Diatoms are everywhere on Earth. Are they on the moon?
Available for pre-order now.
About the book
We Fell Into The Microscope!
Three children shrink down and fall into a drop of pond water and land in the middle of a hidden universe. We Fell Into The Microscope follows their journey through the microscopic world of diatoms, the glass-shelled algae that make up to half the oxygen we breathe. Along the way, they meet diatoms drifting through Antarctic sea ice, riding on the backs of whales, and building glass houses one silica wall at a time. Part adventure story, part introduction to one of the planet’s most important — and least visible — life forms, this is science for kids who ask “but what’s actually in the water?”
About the authors
- Shigeki Mayama
Retired Diatom Research Scientist (Tokyo Gakugai University), Japan
&
Nagisa Mayama
Amateur Diatomist, Japan - Paul B. Hamilton
Museum Diatom Research Scientist, Canada - Karthick Balasubramanian
Diatomist, Agharkar Research Institute, India - Cuneyt Solak
Diatomist, Dumlupınar University, Türkiye
Publisher
Gubbi Labs
About Diatoms
Diatoms are single-celled algae encased in a shell made of silica — essentially living glass. There are an estimated 100,000 or so diatom species described in the scientific literature. They live in oceans, lakes, rivers, soil, and even snow, and are one of the most productive photosynthetic groups on Earth, commonly credited with producing roughly 20–25% of the world’s atmospheric oxygen each year. Because different diatom species tolerate different levels of pollution and different water chemistry, scientists also use them as living indicators of water quality. Count the diatoms in a river, and you can tell how healthy it is.
Resources
Media Gallery
Getting to Know Diatoms & How to Collect Them
Preparing Diatom Slides for Microscopy
Diatoms Under the Microscope: Observing Water Quality Indicators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is We Fell Into The Microscope about?
A 22-page illustrated story where three children shrink down and explore the invisible world of diatoms, microscopic algae that produce a huge share of the world’s oxygen. Written for readers roughly ages 7–10, with real science woven into an adventure narrative.
How much does We Fell Into The Microscope cost?
Coming soon!
When will We Fell Into The Microscope be released?
Coming soon!
Are signed copies available?
Coming soon!