Rotner, Shelley, and David A. White. Body Actions.

Rotner, Shelley, and David A. White.          Body Actions.    Holiday House   unp $16.95           978-0-8234-2366-8  2012               elem     E-BN         Nonfiction

                                   

This eye-catching, brightly colored book resembles an age-appropriate, two-dimensional version of the renowned tour of preserved bodies that was displayed at major museums nationwide - a real compliment for the author and illustrator who make the often dull topic of body systems come alive.  Children will easily relate to the photographs of other children in common situations and activities.  Some readers may look at the book just for the photographs, while others will be fascinated with the facts and figures presented about each body system.  Particularly interesting to children will be the skeletal x-ray of a child’s jaw, showing the permanent teeth coming in right behind the baby teeth.  With the skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, and nervous-system diagrams that appear as highly realistic overlays on photographs of fully-clothed children involved in everyday activities that require those systems, this book will be the first one children gravitate toward when they are interested in the workings of the body or need information for science and health reports.  Also featured are the functions of the five senses, the skin, and hair. A glossary, an index and a list of resources for further reading complete this book.  This should be a first pick for libraries that serve children.  It is appropriate for grades 3-7.

Anatomy                                                                                                                                                             --Lois McNicol

 

Marshall Cavendish. Mammal Anatomy.

Marshall Cavendish. Mammal Anatomy.
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2010 187p $79.84 978-0-7614-7882-9 ms/hs Provides detailed information on the anatomy and various bodily systems of mammals, including humans. Fourteen mammals, including humans, are the focus of this detailed, diagramed reference volume. The information in this title is part of a larger work available through an on-line subscription from the publisher. The fourteen mammals highlighted represent land and sea mammals, such as chimpanzees and elephants, and gray whales and manatees. Each chapter is an average of 20 pages and follows the same format. The chapters begin with an overview of anatomy and taxonomy, and then go into detail on other systems that include the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory and respiratory, digestive and excretory and reproductive systems. Color photographs are included, but what is most valuable are the colored, labeled diagrams of the anatomy and various bodily systems. Fact boxes include comparative anatomy of subspecies, as well as brief overviews on evolution and other anatomical topics. The text is detailed; the layout with the photos, diagrams and fact boxes provides visual interest. A factual glossary is included, as are resources for further study and an index that includes bold page numbers for main articles and italics for picture captions. This is a valuable resource for science programs that focus on animal physiology, however, since only fourteen mammals are included it may have limited appeal. Zajko, Rosanne