(3) K-3 This informative and accessible book begins by categorizing the four types of germs that make us sick: bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. Levine introduces each group with general information followed by brief profiles of two or three specific organisms (e.g., E. coli, giardia, trichophyton, coronavirus). She then covers how germs infect us, the immune system's job, and how vaccines work. The well-designed pages feature color-enhanced micrographs that provide a look at this usually unseen world. Appended are a glossary, suggested reading and websites, and a list of "Germy Jobs."

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jack Teagle. Fans of the authors' Wow in the World podcast will recognize their narrative enthusiasm and energy in this overview. Here they introduce different body systems (e.g., nervous and reproductive) and parts (eyes, skin, bones) with a good dose of humor. Each section is packed with trivia, history, physiology, world records (most stretchy skin, loudest burp), and other tidbits of knowledge. The cartoonlike illustrations incorporate comic panels, spot illustrations, and small photos in a busy but accessible design. A Mad Libs-style "Thank-You Letter to Your Body" encourages readers to appreciate the only body they've got. A glossary, reading list, QR codes for Wow in the World episodes, and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Translated by Don Bartlett. With a combination of cartoon illustrations, goofy humor, and candid information, this very Scandinavian baby-making primer approaches the topic with eyes wide open. The title question yields some ridiculous answers ("With dangerous chemicals? With butter, sugar, flour, and eggs?") before getting serious ("Making a baby begins with love"). After some real talk about how couples express affection ("Cuddling together naked, man and woman, woman and woman, or man and man is called having sex. It's something adult couples do because they're close and they like it"), Fiske covers the basics--conception, embryo development, pregnancy--in some depth. The journey of the sperm to the egg, for example, plays out over nine pages. Fiske includes the fact that having sex doesn't always result in a pregnancy and that some couples are unable to conceive ("We don't have any sperm"). The drawings maintain a sense of humor while introducing forthright details about intercourse: as a naked man and woman kiss, his erect penis says, "Hello!" and her vagina replies, "Come in!" This covers-off look at baby-making doesn't leave much to the imagination; those seeking an uninhibited approach to the topic will welcome this book's directness.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(1) YA Bausum writes compellingly, heartbreakingly, about the earliest days of panic in the gay community, the swiftness of AIDS's progression, disturbing federal government inaction, grassroots research and activism, and breakthrough scientific research. While the narrative is chock-full of information--names, dates, acronyms--Bausum never allows these details to obscure or overwhelm the humanity of the story. Captioned black-and-white photographs, too, underscore the emotional impact. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Isabel Greenberg. This broad-strokes introduction to human physiology explains how energy powers all the body's processes. The text presents information with clarity, humor, and wonder. Greenberg's digital illustrations match the celebratory tone, with a brown-skinned girl with two puffball pigtails at the forefront. The color-saturated spreads play with pace and scale, and motifs of light and energy waves radiate from the pages. An author's note offers further explanation about how energy works.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jason Chin. Nine pithy, five-line stanzas trace a fetus's development in utero; the story also follows a Latinx family happily awaiting a baby's arrival. As the watercolor and gouache illustrations' left-hand pages track the fetus's transformation, right-hand pages show slice-of-life scenes of the mom, dad, and soon-to-be big sister. A clever, joyful celebration of the nine months leading up to a baby's birth, appended with further details about gestational development. Bib.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: My Body Systems series. Two short sections followed by a "Keeping Healthy" conclusion present very basic information about health and the human body. Simple texts comprised of three or four sentences face full-color photos of active kids. Three final questions help readers review the facts presented in each formulaic book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: My Body Systems titles: My Immune System and My Muscular System.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: My Body Systems series. Two short sections followed by a "Keeping Healthy" conclusion present very basic information about health and the human body. Simple texts comprised of three or four sentences face full-color photos of active kids. Three final questions help readers review the facts presented in each formulaic book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: My Body Systems titles: My Immune System and My Muscular System.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Campbell. A girl with puffball pigtails contentedly chomps on an apple amid a quirky crowd. The next spread repeats the tableau--but with all the faces (except the girl's) shown as skulls. With snappy writing Thornburgh describes a skull's importance (it's "a car seat for your brain") and its functions, while Campbell packs plenty of humor into his muted watercolors. "Cool Skull Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(4) 4-6 After an introduction to decomposition, this elucidating if obviously grisly volume covers the deaths of seventeen well-known historical figures including Galileo, Van Gogh, and Elvis; shorter connecting sections explore other death-related topics (cannibalism, organ transplants, vampires, etc.). Silly-macabre black-and-white illustrations match the flippant, often gruesome tone of the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ipek Konak. The informative text of this series entry asks readers straightforward questions about a hospital. Shining light behind recto pages reveals people, rooms, and belongings hidden in each full-color picture. Turning the page reveals the black-and-white image answer. While text from each verso page unfortunately shows through, the flashlight gimmick should engage young readers. A final spread provides additional facts about hospitals.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) YA In recent years, Ebola, Zika, SARS, and other viruses have increasingly threatened humans. Eight chapters outline factors contributing to the increase, including global travel, rapidly growing populations, loss of animal habitat bringing humans into closer contact with animals, and climate change. Goldsmith also discusses scientists' efforts to prevent disaster. Plenty of photos and diagrams help break up the straightforward text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA The five chapters of Haelle's in-depth look at vaccines cover how they work, their evolution, the science behind creating them, controversies surrounding them, and a glimpse into their future. She emphasizes the efficacy and importance of immunization and refutes anti-vaccination arguments by exploring recent outbreaks that proper immunization could control. Small photos and hard-to-read sidebars are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) YA Between 1918 and 1920, three waves of a very aggressive influenza virus killed tens of millions of people. World War I was in full swing when the flu pandemic began, and it was abetted by the widespread movement of troops and limited medical knowledge. Marrin's narrative is enhanced by primary source quotations, black-and-white photographs, and maps, all revealing the toll the pandemic took. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(3) K-3 Exploring Our Community series. The five friends from Ritchie's informational series prepare for an upcoming swim meet. Coach Penny makes sure they stretch, get good sleep, support one another, eat nutritiously, and have fun. The informal narrative is accompanied by bold-faced health-science facts or suggestions on every spread. Sunny digital illustrations include bird's-eye, close-up, and panoramic views of the diverse group of healthy kids. Includes ideas for active play. Glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. This primer explains how itching works in the layers and nerve endings of human skin, and which bugs, plants, and fungi can cause it. Funny cartooned illustrations depict dressed-up fleas, lice, bedbugs, nettles, poison ivy, and more. Sidebars offer "Soothe the Itch" and "Avoid the Itch" tips. An entertaining and informative volume for middle-grade readers fascinated by the slightly disgusting. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bonnie Timmons. As verse in an informal typeface poses kid-like questions related to human skin (Why do I sweat?; What causes warts?), a reply in regular type provides rhymed, scientific answers. Occasional "Cool Facts About..." prose sections break from the poetic Q-and-A format and provide more substantial information. Witty digital spot art appears on each thick, glossy page. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA After presenting basic facts about the brain and nervous system, Zimmer then discusses the growing knowledge of neuroscience throughout the twentieth century. Subsequent chapters explain the importance of fluorescence and genetic modification in furthering understanding of the brain and developing new treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other disorders. The fascinating survey includes clear color photos, micrographs, and diagrams. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 A breezy text traces the use and abuse of medicines and poisons from prehistory to the twenty-first century. The entertaining narrative combines with liberally scattered cartoons, archival illustrations, and photographs. Myriad related sidebars are also included: "Tox Box" highlights specific poisons; "Poisoned or Not?" covers dubious deaths; "Nice Work If You Can Survive It" discusses occupations with poison risk; etc. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Genetics series. Brief chapters introduce the basics about the microscopic cells that determine characteristics of successive generations of humans, animals, and plants. Spreads include stock photos and diagrams plus occasional fact boxes and sidebars supporting the difficult concepts. The books' scientific complexity may be technically beyond their target readers, but their short length, easy-to-parse page design, and large type add appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Genetics titles: DNA, Genes, and Chromosomes and Heredity.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges