How To Build A Human Body

How To Build A Human Body by Tom Jackson (Scholastic UK)
HB RRP $29.99
ISBN 978-1-407137-37-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

How to Build a Human Body is subtitled A Mind-Bogglingly Brilliant Body Book, and it is. Attractively laid out, with thick glossy pages built to withstand numerous page turnings, this book clearly and amusingly describes the body - how and why it works.

It is split into four sections, The Basics, The Organs, The Senses and Systems and has a helpful glossary –Cool Words – and index – both of which cover the book well without being overwhelming. This all helps to facilitate easy navigation of pages and subject matter. The index includes stuff kids love to look up such as Poo, Yuk! and Try This and the contents page is equally as enticing with headings to explore such as:

• Confined to the cells, p.12
• Take a Breath, p38
• Hormone Soup, p76
• Getting Sniffy, p64

The book has a chatty feel about it, as if the author is having a conversation with the reader. Its bright colourful illustrations bring out the humour and enhance the understanding of each body part being discussed. Fangs a Bunch heads a page filled with a giant set of teeth surrounding facts, explanations of the different types of teeth and a diagram of a tooth’s root system. Some of the information seems random – pirates biting gold in all the pirate movies – but these interesting facts always swing back to the point – the stuff in teeth that makes them so hard.

These great pictures and diagrams are also joined by boxes of information:

• Superhuman – all about people who helped discover how the body works - for example James Watson and Francis Crick who found the double helix structure which helps with our understanding of DNA. 
• Under the Skin – which looks at what is going on inside you - for example Feel the Burn explains why muscles feel tired after working out. 
• Try This – things kids can do to get a concrete understanding of their body - such as A Bit of Cheek which shows readers how to look at their own cells under the microscope.

There is much to learn about the body and this book is a fun way to learn the facts. It would be   enjoyable to read from cover to cover, or to dip in and out of whenever the mood takes you. Aimed at upper primary level readers, I think older readers and adults will gain much information and enjoyment from this book as well.

Check out the Find Out More booklist and website list at the back for further information.

About Face

About Face by Robert Moore, illustrated by Monkeystack (IPKidz) 

PB RRP $26.00
ISBN 9781921869129       
Reviewed by Margaret Warner

The bold cover of About Face invites young readers into this humorous story in which each of the facial features becomes an independent character. Nose even has a bandaid across the bridge and mouth has a missing tooth, just like the children who will enjoy this book. Each eye and ear, the nose and mouth all work together using their different functions in a surreptitious adventure to make raspberry pies while having fun dancing to lively music.

The vibrant colours of the illustrations against the darker background will immediately capture a child’s interest and be a source of discussion. The text stands out boldly, printed in white against the dark blue background of each page, making it easy for a young reader to follow the words. In the final pages, the child who has dreamed of the fun adventure wakes up to the reality of an earache, a runny nose, watery eyes and cracked lips.

Young children will enjoy having this book read to them or reading it themselves and will have a giggle at the characters up to mischief. The book could be complemented with songs and rhymes about the face and body and be a useful resource in a unit of work on the senses.

What Body Part is That?

What Body Part is That? by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton (Pan MacMillan)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN: 978 1 330 40398

Reviewed by Wendy McLean

Andy Griffith is known for his disgusting, hilarious and nonsensical reads and his latest offering ‘What Body Part is That?’ is no exception. Andy has teamed up with his long-standing and multi-talented sidekick, illustrator Terry Denton, to bring 100 per cent fact-free guide to the human body. This book is guaranteed to explain everything you ever needed to know about the human body without a single scientific explanation!

The book is divided into sections based on anatomy, such as ‘The Bits You Can See’ (e.g. Head and Neck, Skin, etc.) and ‘The Bits You Can’t See’ (e.g. Digestive System, Circulatory & Respiratory Systems, etc.). Each section is further divided into topics within each chapter (e.g. Mouth, Chin, Elbow, etc.). A double-page spread is dedicated to each body part and includes a brief discussion of what the body part is and what it can and can’t do.  Hilarious illustrations by Terry Denton support the text. A Fun Fact is also included for each body part (e.g. It is physically impossible to lick your own elbow).

This book is packed with information on the heart, the brain, the bum and so much more. The smallest, biggest and most disgusting parts of the human body are all included. For instance, did you know your nose contains five million odour receptors so this is why you shouldn’t put it too close to armpits or bums or dog poo? Or human tonsils can bounce higher than a rubber ball of similar weight and size? And what about saliva? Most experts believe that during your lifetime you will produce enough saliva to fill one or two swimming pools.

‘What Body Part is That?’ is packed with illustrations to help you distinguish the difference between capillaries and caterpillars, understand the full cycle of the bladder and identify the several different types of belly buttons (innie, outie, fluffy etc.).

‘What Body Part is That?’ is a thoroughly hilarious and enjoyable book. Fans of this comic duo will not be disappointed!