The Human Body, and Other Gross Stuff

Some non-fiction is for school work, but some is just plain fun!

The Human Body
Pascale Hedelin
OwlKids
ISBN: 978 1 897349 86 1

This book on the body is filled with flaps and moving parts to help illustrate and add fun to the learning experience. It makes for wonderful browsing, though it could be used for projects for younger kids. The text and explanations are simple enough for primary grades, so it also makes for a great resource in answering those many questions that little people have about themselves. I think I’m going to read through this one with Girl 7!

You Just Can’t Help It
by Jeff Szpirglas
OwlKids
ISBN: 978 1 926818 08 5

There are lots of things that we humans do without knowing or controlling it. Did you know mothers find their own child’s diapers less stinky than others’, even when they don’t know which child the diapers are from? And that tears from cutting onions are different than tears resulting from emotion? This book is jam-packed with fascinating peculiarities of human behaviour, from reflexes to communication to birth order, and more. Results of experiments and studies, as well as things to try are sprinkled through with fun graphics for a great browsing read, while an index at the back helps find what you need for more targeted reading.

The Big Book of Gross Stuff
Bart King
Gibbs Smith
ISBN: 978 1 4236 0746 5

Farts, poop, toilets, skin, death, bodies, animals, and, of course, “The Miracle of Birth.” It’s all in here. Anything that can be seen as gross is spelled out in gory, glistening, lingering detail. Yucky? Absolutely. Appealing? Hell, yes – at least, to the right kid, and there are plenty of them. The only saving grace for parents is that there are no illustrations – and that there will be few reluctant readers with this around! Of course, you can be certain that you’ll have to hear some of those details quoted at you, so as with so many things about parenting, it’s a trade-off!