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ValueTales Series
The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur
Retells the story of Louis Pasteur, whose unwavering belief in the concept of germs led to a cure for rabies.
62 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Spencer Johnson
181 books2,183 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Spencer Johnson, M.D. left behind a medical career to write short books about life. The most famous was “Who Moved My Cheese?" published in 1998. The book became a publishing phenomenon and a workplace manual. Over 50 million copies of Spencer Johnson’s books are in use worldwide in 47 languages.
Dr. Johnson's education included a psychology degree from the University of Southern California, a M.D. from the Royal College of Surgeons and medical clerkships at Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic.
Spencer Johnson, M.D. left behind a medical career to write short books about life. The most famous was “Who Moved My Cheese?" published in 1998. The book became a publishing phenomenon and a workplace manual. Over 50 million copies of Spencer Johnson’s books are in use worldwide in 47 languages.
Dr. Johnson's education included a psychology degree from the University of Southern California, a M.D. from the Royal College of Surgeons and medical clerkships at Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
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October 10, 2023The real ones know
April 15, 2018
Fantastic, highly recommendable series, just not this particular book (although I still have fond memories of reading it as a child!)
On the whole, I love these types of books; they made history, science, and important life lessons come alive for myself and so many young readers. On that front, they continue to accomplish much good. This particular book in the series was enthralling for me as a child. HOWEVER, as much as I hate to say this, I feel like I have to; this particular book could literally have also caused a death(s). This story very effectively stuck with me over the years, in fact so well, that when I grew up to work in part of the developing world (South East Asia) where Rabies is still a real concern, these very images branded into my mind of a “very sick boy” who, near death, receives the life-saving vaccine that "cures" him, actually caused me to unwisely dismiss recommendations to proactively vaccinate myself and my family. My reasoning? If one of us developed sickness from Rabies, no biggie, there was a vaccine that could cure us. Problem is, -and this could have been a very big problem for my family in particular, one with tragic consequences-, is that this is dangerously inaccurate information. Rabies, once manifesting its symptoms in a patient is incurable. It is fatal. It is a GUARANTEED death sentence, in every case. Only through pre-emptive and/or very prompt post-exposure treatment can a person ever hope to PREVENT rabies from manifesting in the first place.
Again, I hesitated to even cast a shadow on the series, as I believe I did learn so much, they fostered further learning, and I was inspired in so many good ways by the series as a whole. And honestly, if my kids were still toddlers, I’d probably still purchase the whole set. (And we’d have informed discussions around the books- on issues like these). But even this particular books failings could provide another unintended, but important life lesson for my kids (as it did for me); even great stories that are based on fact and history, and that can even be wonderful inspiring, need to be questioned at times. In a day-and-age where I’m continually amazed by what educated people-health providers themselves at times!- will grab onto as fact, and then turn around an disseminate that "information"-now possible to the masses with a few clicks of a keyboard, it is a good reminder that no literature, or publication, despite any apparent good intentions of its writer, is beyond reproach.
On the whole, I love these types of books; they made history, science, and important life lessons come alive for myself and so many young readers. On that front, they continue to accomplish much good. This particular book in the series was enthralling for me as a child. HOWEVER, as much as I hate to say this, I feel like I have to; this particular book could literally have also caused a death(s). This story very effectively stuck with me over the years, in fact so well, that when I grew up to work in part of the developing world (South East Asia) where Rabies is still a real concern, these very images branded into my mind of a “very sick boy” who, near death, receives the life-saving vaccine that "cures" him, actually caused me to unwisely dismiss recommendations to proactively vaccinate myself and my family. My reasoning? If one of us developed sickness from Rabies, no biggie, there was a vaccine that could cure us. Problem is, -and this could have been a very big problem for my family in particular, one with tragic consequences-, is that this is dangerously inaccurate information. Rabies, once manifesting its symptoms in a patient is incurable. It is fatal. It is a GUARANTEED death sentence, in every case. Only through pre-emptive and/or very prompt post-exposure treatment can a person ever hope to PREVENT rabies from manifesting in the first place.
Again, I hesitated to even cast a shadow on the series, as I believe I did learn so much, they fostered further learning, and I was inspired in so many good ways by the series as a whole. And honestly, if my kids were still toddlers, I’d probably still purchase the whole set. (And we’d have informed discussions around the books- on issues like these). But even this particular books failings could provide another unintended, but important life lesson for my kids (as it did for me); even great stories that are based on fact and history, and that can even be wonderful inspiring, need to be questioned at times. In a day-and-age where I’m continually amazed by what educated people-health providers themselves at times!- will grab onto as fact, and then turn around an disseminate that "information"-now possible to the masses with a few clicks of a keyboard, it is a good reminder that no literature, or publication, despite any apparent good intentions of its writer, is beyond reproach.
March 31, 2019
Holy moly, talk about a time warp! This was almost like reading a book from another time, even as a kid I knew the art was dated, but it was given to me as a gift and I enjoyed the story.
February 16, 2016
I absolutely remember this story. I can even visualize the illustrations of poor Pasteur and no one believing in that there were single cell organisms that existed and were making people sick. I always got this correct on tests and understood the pasteurization process at a very early age. I highly recommend the entire series for parents who wish to raise nerdy kids.
September 4, 2014
Read to Kiah again at her request 9/3/14
March 13, 2018
I read this book when I was a kid and remember it fondly, and will have to revisit it with my children.
October 22, 2019
This book gave me nightmares as a little kid... I mean with the rabies, biting, blood, shots, that was all really scary to me. If I were you, I would read it before you show your kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
Great story. Great concept. I do definitely want to buy this whole series for my kids because they all sound great, but it does that horribly annoying thing that some children's literature does where it dumbs down every concept.
Is it helpful, in the age of anti-vaxxer's and other crazy people, to tell children that a vaccine sends tiny soldiers into their bodies? I think not.
But yeah, good idea, well told story, and the moral is great, but can we just teach children science, please?
Is it helpful, in the age of anti-vaxxer's and other crazy people, to tell children that a vaccine sends tiny soldiers into their bodies? I think not.
But yeah, good idea, well told story, and the moral is great, but can we just teach children science, please?
January 8, 2021
This is a nice little historical fiction that tells children about Louis Pasteur and the importance of believing in yourself. This has a very positive message. It also included a short biography of Louis Pasteur and his achievements in science.
July 31, 2020
In the age of pandemic, it’s important to keep books on hand for curious kiddos about the risks of disease and the invaluable benefits (AKA survival) associated with dedicated scientific research therein. In THE VALUE OF BELIEVING IN YOURSELF: THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR, Spencer Johnson and Steve Pileggi were somewhat ahead of the curve in filling our present-day need for these books. Published in 1976 (a year so remote to today’s children it makes me feel every sprain and ache of my ancient millennial body simultaneously to think about), it traces the development of Pasteur’s vaccine from his lab through its first successful use on a rabid dog-bitten child. I personally appreciated Johnson and Pileggi abstaining from showing ALL of the steps involved in documenting rabies transmission and creating an effective vaccine (MANY rabbits died in the making of this science). The various details are still fresh in my mind from the episode of THIS PODCAST WILL KILL YOU on rabies, which you can listen to [HERE].
Rabies remains a grim proposition. A post-exposure prophylaxis treatment does exist for those individuals who are exposed to the virus today, but it is not a comfortable (or cheap) experience, as it involves a LOT of intramuscular injections. Delightful. Also, if you wait to long and contract rabies itself, there is no treatment. Your only hope is to receive the vaccine beforehand (and likely some extra boosters right after) or SO, SO MUCH VACCINE right after that you can prevent the virus from taking hold. Also, OLD YELLER. I will never get over that book. I *still* can’t face it, all these decades after I first sobbed over its fresh-creased pages.
[ I also reviewed this book on YouTube. ]
Rabies remains a grim proposition. A post-exposure prophylaxis treatment does exist for those individuals who are exposed to the virus today, but it is not a comfortable (or cheap) experience, as it involves a LOT of intramuscular injections. Delightful. Also, if you wait to long and contract rabies itself, there is no treatment. Your only hope is to receive the vaccine beforehand (and likely some extra boosters right after) or SO, SO MUCH VACCINE right after that you can prevent the virus from taking hold. Also, OLD YELLER. I will never get over that book. I *still* can’t face it, all these decades after I first sobbed over its fresh-creased pages.
[ I also reviewed this book on YouTube. ]
August 17, 2020
Louis Pasteur knew he could find a cure for Rabies and he did. This book details one mans determination, his contributions to society and science and the value of persistence.
May 29, 2009
My grandmother, who passed away earlier this evening, subscribed to the Value Books series of which this book is a part, when I was in first grade or so - mainly because she knew how much I loved to read them. So, when a new book would come each month, she'd make sure I knew about it right away and I'd go off to the office/reading room in their house to dive into it. The first series of books I ever loved to read by myself, and still remember fondly to this day, despite not seeing them in at least 20 years at this point. As a kid, they opened up whole new worlds to me (and, confused me for a while: they gave each historical figure a special little imaginary cartoon friend to help them out - Christopher Columbus had a little bird friend, Jackie Robinson had an old baseball, etc - I can't quite remember what the point of any of that was).
Just seeing the cover of this book on here tonight brings a big smile to my face. Thank you, Grandma, for always encouraging my love of reading and writing. I'll miss you forever.
Just seeing the cover of this book on here tonight brings a big smile to my face. Thank you, Grandma, for always encouraging my love of reading and writing. I'll miss you forever.
March 24, 2020
This is a book that I had as a kid. Thinking about explaining the corona virus with kids made the book come to mind. This book is about Louis Pasteur and working on something that matters to you whether anyone else thinks your goal is achievable or not.
The intention was clearly to encourage kids to be persistent, optimistic and gain the moral values the story portrays that the historical figure had. The Value Tales stories are fictionalized stories about real people. The end of each book contains a non-fiction summary of the actual person's life.
Full disclosure: This book is not a good explanation of the science. Nor does it even approximate a good explanation of science but that also wasn't the goal. It is approachable and would make a decent starting point for someone asking questions.
Fact: The first vaccine was for smallpox. The rabies vaccine was probably the second vaccine that made a major impact on human health.
https://www.historyofvaccines.org/tim...
This book is available for checkout on archive.org.
The intention was clearly to encourage kids to be persistent, optimistic and gain the moral values the story portrays that the historical figure had. The Value Tales stories are fictionalized stories about real people. The end of each book contains a non-fiction summary of the actual person's life.
Full disclosure: This book is not a good explanation of the science. Nor does it even approximate a good explanation of science but that also wasn't the goal. It is approachable and would make a decent starting point for someone asking questions.
Fact: The first vaccine was for smallpox. The rabies vaccine was probably the second vaccine that made a major impact on human health.
https://www.historyofvaccines.org/tim...
This book is available for checkout on archive.org.
July 25, 2016
This is a good story about Louis Pasteur and his development of the first rabies vaccine, highlighting his belief in himself that prevented him from giving up trying before he succeeded. However, the story could have been much better if the author, a medical doctor themselves, had been more detailed and truthful with the explanation Pasteur in the story gave to his young patient about how the vaccine would work, instead of having him tell the boy it contained "Magical Soldiers" that would get inside his body and make him well. Children, the intended audience of the story, as well as adults who may read with them, deserve to be told the complete scientific truth rather than a fairy tale.
June 23, 2015
This story is about Louis Pasteur, and how he made the rabies vaccine even though everyone made fun of him and told him he could not do it. A young boy in Germany gets bitten by a rabid dog, and his family take him to Louis, and Louis cures the boy.
This book is amazing! It's all about believing in yourself even if others do not support you. If you know you can do something to help change the world, do it.
I would use this book with my children because it has a good moral lesson that they could learn from. They would love the illustrations, and they would enjoy the story.
This book is amazing! It's all about believing in yourself even if others do not support you. If you know you can do something to help change the world, do it.
I would use this book with my children because it has a good moral lesson that they could learn from. They would love the illustrations, and they would enjoy the story.
January 1, 2020
I had this series of books when I was a kid, and I have really fond memories of them. I found a few updated versions of the stories and now read them to my kids. They actually ask for them pretty frequently. They each include an "inner voice" that speaks to the main character and encourages them to use positive values and traits in their lives. This story about Louis Pasteur isn't my favorite, but it does give kids some idea of the incredible achievements of Pasteur and his discoveries, which have helped control disease.
August 3, 2007
With cartoony illustrations and stripped down stories the ValueTales Series of books use imaginitive devices to introduce young readers to historical figures and the personal attributes that helped them make a difference in their worlds.
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/0...
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/0...
November 14, 2008
Probably one of the most influential books in my life! Pasteur was a rebel and he really helped my little eighth-year-old self out. The series is now out of print but you can find them on Amazon or Ebay, there is quite a market for them now as people who grew up with the books are looking to get copies for their kids. They should just reprint this entire series...The Cochise edition was really good too!
December 23, 2013
I remember I read this book at my Grandma's... About 9 or so years ago. I didn't like this book. To me, it was about a boy being attacked by a vicious dog (strike one) who then had to be taken to a doctor who presented a needle that was THIS LONG (the size of a ruler, I think - strike two) that was filled with tiny soldiers to go inside the boy (strike three) and kill the bacteria. The idea didn't settle with me.
Nevertheless, I plan to read this again.
Nevertheless, I plan to read this again.
June 7, 2011
Okay, so the dog and the the Magic Soldiers are creepy as all get-out, but the story is fantastic for little kids. It's engaging, it's fast-paced, it addressed the kids without talking down to them, and it delivers a very interesting adult story without being stilted. The page at the back of Historical Information makes Adult Me want to track down a good bio of Pasteur (anyone know one?). Very good for teaching a young 'un without making the experience preachy or dull.
August 20, 2019
I read this book when I was a little boy and it had a profound impact on me. Most people know that Louis Pasteur invented the process of pasteurization, but most don’t realize he created a cure for rabies!
You feel so bad for the little boy who gets bitten by a dog! And Louis wants to help him so badly. The book does an incredible job of explaining in very simple but imaginative pictures that a shot of medication can make you feel better!
You feel so bad for the little boy who gets bitten by a dog! And Louis wants to help him so badly. The book does an incredible job of explaining in very simple but imaginative pictures that a shot of medication can make you feel better!
November 15, 2008
This is just one book of the whole set of Value books. They are very useful to young children. I grew up with it. It not only taught me about the values of determination, believing in yourself, and curiosity, but it built my background knowledge of historical figures that everyone should know about.
March 30, 2014
I read this book when I was a child, and I decided to read it again as an adult. It is such a wonderful book for children. The book is very short read (for an adult), and only 62 pages. I love that The Value of Believing in Yourself encourages children to think independently, and to always believe in themselves. The book is from a series that belongs on every family's bookshelf.
June 1, 2015
I absolutely LOVED this book, I must've read it a billion times, it was so influential. Learning about Pasteur in microbiology now and all I can think about is this book. They should republish it, let the children of today learn to love it too. It's actually really inspiring for a children's book. 5 stars!
June 8, 2009
This was my favorite growing up. I am such a nerd. I just found it in a box in the attic and can't wait to read it to Junior. The illustrations are actually kind of messed up for a children's book- like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth...??! But that's part of the charm.
November 18, 2015
One of the best books in my opinion. This was my favorite book as a child, and it still holds a very special place in my heart. I love how Johnson simplifies the story about Pasteur. The illustrations are adorable. It's the perfect read for the aspiring scientist!
November 13, 2016
These were my books as a child and now my child is asking me to read them to him.
While peppered with some fantasy, the basics are generally accurate and the final page of each book in this series is full of non-fiction facts on the character the story is about.
While peppered with some fantasy, the basics are generally accurate and the final page of each book in this series is full of non-fiction facts on the character the story is about.
August 3, 2008
One of my favorite books from my childhood. The story of a little boy in France who was bitten by a rabid dog and how Louis Pasteur developed the vaccine that saved him. Very very worthwhile read.
July 18, 2009
I do love these books! They are such great learning tools and they are very nostalgic for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews