The Human Body Revealed

Written by Sue Davidson and Ben Morgan
Published by DK (Dorling Kindersley)
(2002) ISBN 0751344230

There are other "revealed" titles such as Egypt revealed. The revealing comes through the use of OHT type inserts that show things on the surface and then at a deeper level. This is perfectly suited to the topic of the human body as the reader can be shown the different systems and organs at different levels and how they interact. It is quite realistic and informative. Pictures usually take up the middle of a double spread while the outer edges are dotted with paragraphs and captions relating to parts of the pictures. Each paragraph is a self-contained topic or chunk of information which makes it possible for the reader to start at any point on the double spread. Because it is not constrained by a through composed genre, more diverse facts and information are included.

The Human Body Jigsaw Book

Waite L V 2006, The Human Body Jigsaw Book The Five Mile Press: Rowville: Vic. (ISBN 1741249899)

This is a good example of a contemporary non fiction book. It covers 5 systems of the body and the senses.

The layout is clear, easy to read and non-crowded. Each page is constructed of board to hold the puzzle on one side of the double page spread. There are 5, 48 piece puzzles looking at the different body systems: skeletal, central nervous, circulatory, muscular, and digestive. Each page explains 3 main areas of the system with clear and interesting diagrams with close ups of interesting things relating to the system.
The double page spread on the 5 senses does not have a puzzle (it's the last pages in the book) but it does have cut away diagrams of the organs involved.

While the book may be aimed at middle to upper primary students, because of the puzzles, it would still be useful in the high school library collection. It is quite engaging to read. Teachers could use it to introduce the various systems to the class (or refresh their memories).

The Race to Save the Lord God Bird

Hoose, P 2004, The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, Melanie Kroupa Books, New York.

This is an amazing book about a species of bird the majority of readers will never have seen or heard and never will. What is extraordinary is the ability of the author to draw you in and involve you emotionally from the very introduction. This is the story of the Ivory- billed Woodpecker and its ultimate demise. It is written from the heart and impeccably researched. It reveals not only the bird’s incredible beauty, but the role of many diverse players in its disappearance. The development of the south-eastern USA from the 19th century is an integral part of this book. It is a book full of fascinating anecdotes about the bird’s intelligence and tenacity against the odds. Photographs, sketches, drawings, maps and engaging prose make this a book hard to put down until you finish.

Posted on behalf of Sheila Pontifax