The Human Body (Library of Science Projects)

Grade 3-5-This introduction to anatomy and physiology features double-page spreads loaded with good-quality, full-color photographs and informative captions. Rather than providing in-depth looks at any one topic, the material presented is limited to two-to-three sentence "bites." Overviews of the major systems and organs are included, as are simple activities that children can perform on their own or with minimal help. The text is peppered with examples of common bodily occurrences, such as experiencing "pins and needles" and stomach rumbles. Photographs of a variety of youngsters performing tasks or illustrating points appear throughout, complemented by photos or diagrams of body parts. The tone is conversational, but the text requires competence on the part of readers. Definitions are made within the text; there is no glossary. Use this book in conjunction with Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body (Scholastic, 1989) and Gilda Berger's The Human Body (Doubleday, 1989).
Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal