Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary:  From the time he was a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Anthony Fauci always had a curious mind.  His family encouraged that, telling him to always gather evidence and keep an open mind when solving a problem.  Although he wasn’t the biggest kid in the neighborhood, he learned to be competitive in sports, using speed to make up for what he lacked in stature.  In 1966, Anthony became Dr. Fauci when he graduated first in his class from Cornell Medical School.  Throughout his career, he studied new diseases like AIDS, West Nile virus, and, of course, COVID-19.  Keeping an open mind, working with scientists around the world to gather evidence and look for solutions, Dr. Fauci worked tirelessly on the problem of COVID-19.  The book ends on a positive note, with the vaccine rollout; Dr. Fauci is happy to get his vaccine, reunite with family, and get back to work on whatever problem comes along next.  Includes additional information on vaccines and their safety; Dr. Fauci’s five tips for future scientists; a timeline of his life; a recommended reading list; and several photos of Anthony Fauci growing up.  48 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  A much-needed picture book biography of Dr. Fauci, along with timely information about vaccine safety.  The information is straightforward, emphasizing the importance of hard work and critical thinking in the scientific world.

Cons:  Probably appropriate for the age group, but the tone of the book is consistently upbeat, with none of the political controversy around Dr. Fauci touched upon.