Body

April 1, 2009
Gr 2-5-This series relies heavily on the yuck factor to attract readers. "Body", which focuses on flatulence, vomit, earwax, and snot, and "Hospital", which touches on the use of maggots and leeches in medicine, and includes a photo of a stapled scalp wound, are certainly disgusting. However, the centipedes and worms in "Backyard" and the unusual fish described in "Underwater" are not particularly gross. While not comprehensive, these books, with their large, easy-to-read fonts, straightforward approach, and full-page, color photographs on one side of every spread, are sure to attract reluctant readers.

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2009
Grades 2-4 Rarely does anything live up to its name as much as the Thats Gross! A Look at Science series. If the squirmy, oozing covers dont make you sick, wait until the illustrated content gets down and dirty about the hidden ickiness in everyday life. The weeping scab gracing the cover of The Body is flat-out repulsive, and yet its one-upped by the photograph accompanying the section on snot. And who knew (or wanted to know?) that the average person farts 14 times a day at a speed of 10 feet per second? Back matter includes an appropriately titled Eeeeww! What Is THAT? guessing gamemerely one element that makes this series ideal for boys looking for gross-out ammo. With plentiful, gnarly pictures and a dry sense of humor, Murray proves her premise that behind all that cool stuff is a lot of yuck.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
Scabs, earwax, flatulence (and the foods that trigger it), poop, sweat, and more are all explained and extolled as important bodily functions. The well-spaced, large-font text on left-hand pages is accompanied by hokey and/or gross staged illustrations (e.g., snot dripping from a kid's nose). Additional tips and an "Eeeww! What Is That?" picture for readers to identify complete the book. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)