World of rot takes us on a journey of decomposition, one that is of almost importance especially given that we are facing issues with plastic. Plastic is everywhere, and by design, it’s made to last decades, if not hundreds of years. It’s incredibly useful, but it’s bad in terms of the waste created. Plastics can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, depending on the material and structure.

So this book I feel is very important to teach younger kids. Only thing that I wish is it should be a bit young reader friendly. I know we are talking about decomposition here but there were parts where I, an adult, who reads dark and gory stuff was revolted. Please don't read this book while eating, a grave mistake I made. But that's totally on me and not the book.

The knowledge provided in the book is in simplest way possible. I personally felt the colors used were too vibrant, sometimes even harsh to the eyes. Maybe in print it will be different but on my Netgalley shelf app, they definitely looked too much. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

I will even recommend adding this book and such other books as a part of curriculum.

Thank you Netgalley and storey publishing for the amazing book in exchange of an honest review.

This a beautiful book about a gross topic. Avoid it if you are overly sensitive as obviously it discusses death and decomposition. The illustrations are beautiful and reduce the ick factor of some of the information. Very informative and I think will be enjoyed by children 8+ who like to know how things work

A brilliant picture book on the less pretty side of nature! This book explains the natural cycle after a plant or animal dies, or how materials break down. With chapters on plant matter, animal matter, and the creatures that are vital to the decomposition cycle, this was actually a fascinating read for this grown up reader too!
Kids will love the gooey, gross details of decomposition, but there are also really important messages in the book about the environment (such as how long man-made waste takes to break down, and fossil fuels) and the importance of every creature, even tiny ones, in the cycle.
Death is a difficult topic, and I think this book is factual but very accessible and kid-friendly. I already know I’m going to buy a copy of this for a budding David Attenborough I know!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is absolutely brilliant!! Decomposers are so often overlooked but this book lets them shine. The illustrations are gorgeous and suit the topic of decomposition wonderfully. There is plenty of information provided in a way that makes it easy for children of all ages to digest but it also doesn't sugar coat the topic. The World of Rot would make a fantastic addition to any public or personal library!

Very, very cool.

This is an amazing book. My girls and I love reading anything educational that has to do with biology, the ecosystem, etc. I appreciate it even more when they are getting exposure to more elevated concepts. For example, they know that things rot, but why they rot and the process is difficult to explain. This book assists in breaking it down to expose them to terms like oxygen, molecules, glucose. This is something we will be looking at over and over again.

The illustrations and bright colors help make this a fun and exciting way to learn about our world and what happens when things "rot"

Ages 2 and 5.

Thank you NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and Britt Crow-Miller for allowing my family to review such a fun and educational book.

This non-fiction title is filled with earthy information all about soil, compost and.. rot! Each spread is covered with fun spot illustrations, related information that keeps the readers engaged by its short length, This is definitely information that is covered in my Ontario science curriculum, I loved the activities at the back - that’s what the kids love best!

I know they would also love learning all about the many creepy-crawlies involved in decomposition/the food chain. This book is fantastic for transitional readers. This would be a great NF addition to any library or classroom collection.

Listen, if your little readers are anything like mine, the grossest parts of nature are everything. WORLD OF ROT absolutely hits the spot. The 10yo had just finished a science project on wetlands and was pretty delighted to learn more about decomposition. We learned a lot and the illustrations are colorful, bold, and captivating. A perfect read for young readers who are fascinated by how nature works. A definite addition to our bookcase. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

Beautiful illustrations and great content in this non fiction title that will suit public library and school library collections.

Loved the witty way in which the book is written. It is full of gruesome facts presented in a comprehensive and not undermining way. The jokes work well and I believe if I had read it about two decades ago, I would have loved to try out the suggested decomposition experiments.
The illustration manages to humorously distract a bit from some of the honestly disgusting facts.

I would read this in multiple sittings for my class ages 3-6. Great information, EXTREMELY thorough!

▪️ This is a unique book about the fascinating world of decay and decomposition. The book delves into the science of rot – from the organisms that help with the process to the benefits that decaying and decomposing materials provide to the environment.

▪️ The illustrations are quite unique – artistic, creative, and informative.

▪️ The information in the book is very detailed but often described with humor. Young readers will chuckle as they learn about microbial feasts and the decomposition buffet. Who knew rot could be so entertaining?

▪️ If you were ever curious about exploding dead whales, the stages of decomp, or how many bugs are in your house right now, this is the book for you! I found it to be quite interesting and I know I would have loved this as a kid.

▪️ Teachers, take note! This book belongs in science classrooms. It sparks curiosity, encourages thinking, and instills an appreciation for the unsung heroes of decomposition.

Thank you @netgalley and Storey Publishing for copy of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it! When we empty our vegetable peelings onto the compost heap, we can’t help but turn up our noses. The smell of rotting grass and vegetation can turn even the strongest of stomachs! Gross, right? Wrong. The process of decomposition is life-giving and this book, full of quirky illustrations, helps us to see things in a whole new way. The sooner we start to see our planet as a wonderful world of rot, full of wriggly, slimy, super-cool decomposers we couldn’t live without, the better.

Aimed at Book Clubbers age 8-12, this fascinating hardback teaches us (with a light smattering of humour to help the facts stick) how decomposition happens and the organisms which do it, what speeds the rotting process up and the stages of animal decomp and how these stages are used by scientists and crime labs to date a death. We all know how stinky the stench that comes from anything rotten is, but through reading, we learn about where the smells come from and the various gases produced by anaerobic bacteria. Did you know that the Corpse Lilly and some other plants mimic the smell of rotting flesh to attract flies enhancing their pollination process. So next time you are looking for a gift to take to someone that is having you over for dinner, be sure to avoid this aisle at the garden centre!

Exploring Decomposition ‘WOWS’, food and medicines derived from rot, how the process works inside our own body to breakdown foods, fossil fuels and rot resistance, we were absolutely fascinated by the whole book. With activities and experiments too, this is a one stop rot shop! So let’s hear it for the detritivores and the saprotrophs and celebrate this amazing (and gross) wondrous world!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for sending this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

This is such a fun, informative, well-illustrated book on decay and composition. Both my 6 and 7 year old were enthralled. The format, explanations, and level of detail was balanced and entertaining. I can’t wait to pick up this hard copy as I know it’ll be read through for several years to come.

Amazing books about small organisms that help us continue to thrive on earth! I love the illustrations and the simple explanations. Each chapter tells stories and brings awareness. Recommended!

It weird, its gross, its unusual but informative. Kids will learn alot from this book about how those creepy crawlers do the dirty work to help our planet.

A comprehensive and unique, funny and creative book about rot. It can be read in order or be used a reference book on the topic of rot. The aesthetic style is both warm and a bit grotesque - fitting. The language is witty - a bit sardonic? Though this is fresh and fitting too.

It's amazing to learn how tiny decomposers play a significant role in our ecosystem. "World of Rot" is a book that delves into the lives of these organisms that perform the essential task of breaking down organic matter, making our planet habitable. This book takes us on a journey through decomposition, exploring how it occurs in animals, birds, and sea creatures, as well as in our own homes and even within ourselves. The authors also introduce us to the concept of fermented foods and fungi. Additionally, an extensive list of decomposers is mentioned that contribute to the maintenance of a clean ecosystem.

The book provides answers to many "why" questions commonly asked by children. A few pages of the book helps children understand what happens when their pet passes away, using language such as a permanent nap instead of death.

Appreciate the bright artwork. Both middle-grade children and adults will gain a deeper understanding from this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

The World of Rot was such a fun read! With amazing illustrations and humorous explanations, this book is perfect for learning about processes of compost and decay.

It answers questions about why rotting organisms smell, what happens when a whale dies, and what critters are behind so much of the decomposition we might encounter in our daily lives. There are many activities in the book that are sure to help kids engage with the topic. I think this would be a great addition to classrooms and could make for some fun class lessons.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC!

This book was very informative and interesting while also being easy to understand even for someone who is not a native English speaker. The art that accompanied all the information was really colorful and cheerful and made it fun to turn each page. If you're into biology, but you are not already very knowledgeable about it, this is for you. If you have any phobias about germs, then maybe skip this one

I requested this (and then immediately ordered it anyway) because we have quite a few regulars who are really into fungi. Surprisingly, there aren’t a ton of books about fungi for kids, and one of our regulars has already read everything we have! As someone who is NOT a fan of fungi, I appreciate that this is an illustrated book rather than a photorealistic one. But it gets into more than just mushrooms - there’s information about composting, and what happens to animal remains, and the fact that decomposition happens everywhere, not just on damp logs in the woods. The third section (meet the decomposters) will definitely satisfy any fungi-loving kid. And the illustrations are kitschy enough not to ick out even the most squeamish kid (or adult!). There’s also a set of fun experiments to do at home to learn even more about the world of rot!