Follow Your Gut: a story from the microbes that make you

Meet the ecosystem inside you … A timid Bifidobacterium named Biffy is forced to leave their family and become part of a new community, in the gut of a newborn human baby. Follow Your Gut is a comic that ate a biology textbook. It’s an epic adventure set over the first three years of a new life, exploring one of the most important relationships you will ever have – the one with your gut microbiome. Created by artists, scientists, and educators, this story is for anyone who’s curious about the human-microbe symbiosis, and what all those trillions of bacteria are doing down there in your intestines! Inspired by the latest research, Follow Your Gut includes a fascinating and detailed appendix that explains the amazing science behind the story. ‘We fell in love with Biffy, the adorable Bifidobacterium . We also learnt about the scientific process of growing up, and the not-so-secret universe that we have inside us!’ – Kira and Catherine, Year 7, University High School, Melbourne ‘A wildly entertaining science lesson that will change how you see your own body.’ – Dr Nat Bannan, high school science teacher ‘What a fun, educational, and very accessible adventure.’ -Sandor Ellis Katz, author of The Art of Fermentation ‘ Follow Your Gut is a standout example of modern nonfiction, especially in the Australian context, seamlessly blending comic book-style illustrations with current scientific knowledge. The story … is both interactive and engaging, with elements of character development that draw readers into the world of gut bacteria. Suitable for a broad audience, from young readers to adults, the book combines detailed information with humour, supported by illustrations that reinforce the content … making complex topics more accessible … The collaboration between artists, comic book creators, and microbial scientists results in a visually stunning and informative book that effectively engages the reader without sacrificing accuracy … This book serves as both an educational tool and an entertaining read, making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for readers of all ages, particularly preteens and those new to the subject.’ -Judges’ comments from the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards ‘The interaction between the immune system and the microbiome – both of these topics are so complicated that they make my head spin, but in Follow Your Gut you are led through this complex topic, meeting one player in the system at a time. The authors have done an amazing job of using character and narrative to draw you in, but they haven’t compromised on the science. Where else could you find an inspirational bacterium quoting a 13th-century Persian poet?’ -Lindell Bromham, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Australian National University —- ISBN: 9781761380891 | ISBN10: 1761380893 | ISBN-13: 978-1761380891