The Squid, the Vibrio & the Moon is about the beautiful symbiosis between the Hawaiian Bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacteria, Vibrio fischeri.

Copies are available here through our Pozible shop or through our Small Friends Bookshop, with worldwide delivery!


The book was created by the writer (Ailsa Wild), the illustrator (Aviva Reed), scientist (Prof. Linda Blackall) - in collaboration with Scale Free Network's Briony Barr & Dr. Gregory Crocetti.
It's the first storybook in the Small Friends series by Scale Free Network - stories about (mostly) positive symbioses between microbes and larger forms of life.

We have recently completed our second storybook in the Small Friends Series - Zobi and the Zoox - all about the coral symbiosis: http://www.pozible.com/project/187995

Our intention is to inspire children and adults to love our under-appreciated small friends in the microscopic world.

As the name suggests, the project will tell stories about microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi and viruses) and the amazing intimate relationships they form with each other, and larger forms of life.

And we've just started the Coral symbiosis story in collaboration with microbial ecologist - Dr. Madeleine van Oppen.

If you prefer to buy books in bookshops there are still some copies available for sale through bookshops in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Bega - details through the following link:
http://www.smallfriendsbooks.com/stockists/
If you're keen to propose a new story or collaboration idea, please send us an email to gregory (at) scalefreenetwork.com.au

About the StoryBook:
Rich in visual details and scientific content, the simple storyline follows the adventure of a young bacterium ‘Ali’, her friend ‘Mai’, and the newborn bobtail squid ‘Sepio’ – all watched over by the moon.




Symbiotic relationships such as this one – are very often one of cooperation, not competition. When most people think of microbes, they think of germs and want to eradicate them. This project aims to shift this attitude towards one of symbiosis (living together). This message goes beyond the microscopic scale and is perhaps a way to start thinking that most forms of life survive by working together.


These stories are being produced by the art-science collective Scale Free Network, in collaboration with the microbial ecologist Professor Linda Blackall at Research Gate.


The storybook is a symbiosis in itself – a collaboration between a visual artist, a scientist and a writer.
Written to a young reader level – we have already tested it with some classes of 8-yr old children – with really positive feedback. But we reckon the story will be enjoyed by children and adults alike...

More information about the story

Funds raised from further sales of the book will continue to help creating future books in the Microbial Symbiosis Storytelling project...

With the books printed, the only obstacles to you receiving your copy is the postal service!