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THE BEST WOULD YOU RATHER? BOOK

Name: THE BEST WOULD YOU RATHER? BOOK
Author: Gary Panton
ISBN: 9780593523742

HUNDREDS OF FUNNY, SILLY, AND BRAIN-BENDING QUESTION-AND-ANSWER GAMES FOR KIDS

by Gary Panton ; illustrated by Andrew Pinder ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2023

Will provide much entertainment for young readers and their grown-ups.

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Arranged into quests, pathways, and games, a series of “would you rather” scenarios will entertain a wide swath of readers.

While some of the questions are listed thematically (“Odd Bods,” “All Grown Up”), the text is also broken up by an interactive “choose your own adventure”–style treasure hunt through the book, board game–type paths to follow, and flowchart exercises. The nonlinear nature of the book makes it great for browsing or jumping around. Some questions offer opportunities for internal reflection and deeper conversations (such as whether readers would prefer working a job they hate for lots of money or one they love for free), while many are silly and nonsensical (superhuman strength or X-ray vision? A nose that always runs or a butt that always itches?). Though there’s plenty of potty humor and gross-out gags that will make adults groan, hilarious illustrations add a lot of visual interest. This will be a huge hit with readers of joke books and an excellent pick for spur-of-the-moment conversation starters with young people. The drawings depict characters who are diverse in terms of age and race. Beware of a handful of potentially body-shaming scenarios.

Will provide much entertainment for young readers and their grown-ups. (Activity book. 8-12)

Pub Date: July 4, 2023

ISBN: 9780593523742

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Penguin Workshop

Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

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THE GIRL'S BODY BOOK

by Kelli Dunham ; illustrated by Laura Tallardy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 14, 2017

This introduction to puberty may be particularly helpful for girls looking ahead to that stage.

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A growing-up guide for preteen girls.

This puberty-navigation guide covers girls’ bodily changes, body care, health, relationships with family and friends, staying safe, and handling stress. In many cases the author, a registered nurse, has covered the same material as she did in various editions of this title as well as The Boy’s Body Book. This girls’ book skips the topics of sleep and performance-enhancement drugs in favor of a section on eating disorders. As in the boys’ book, controversial subjects are addressed generally and conservatively if at all. She includes a rough diagram of female reproductive organs and tells her young readers about menstruation and visiting a gynecologist but not how babies are made. She talks about having boys as friends, saying “Don’t put pressure on yourself to call any of your close friendships ‘dating.’ ” The strength of this title is its emphasis on good grooming, healthy living habits, and positive relationships. Added for this fourth edition is new material on interacting with adults, personal empowerment, body language, reputations, and “learning disabilities,” helpful information for the growing segment of the preteen population identified with cognitive and social learning differences. Tallardy’s cartoon illustrations show girls and adults of varying ethnicities and provide a cheerful accompaniment.

This introduction to puberty may be particularly helpful for girls looking ahead to that stage. (resources, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-60433-714-3

Page Count: 148

Publisher: Cider Mill Press

Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BOY'S BODY BOOK
by Kelli Dunham ; illustrated by Steve Bjorkman

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WHAT BODY PART IS THAT?

by Andy Griffiths & illustrated by Terry Denton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 13, 2012

Occasionally clever—fifth-grade boys will love it.

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“There is a lot of nonsense written about the human body,” writes the author, “and this book is no exception.”

Though not quite making good on his promise of “100 percent fact-free chapters,” (he does accurately describe “chondrolaryngoplasty”) Griffiths’ anatomical tour in general steers clear of anything that would be marked as correct on a test. From “Ears can be big or small, depending on their size” to “Capillaries are the larval form of butterflies,” he offers pithy inanities about 68 mostly real body features. Though he closes every entry with “That is all you need to know about…,” he then goes on to regale readers with the news that the epiglottis was named after a Greek philosopher and other “Fun Body Facts.” Similarly, noting that his illustrations “may not be scientifically accurate” (the understatement of the decade), Denton nonetheless provides on nearly every spread profusely labeled, free-association cartoon views of each body part. These are filled out with tiny figures, mechanical apparatus and miscellaneous junk. Though serious young researchers may be disappointed to find the “Private Parts” pages blacked out, a full index follows to provide ready access to any references to poo, pus, farts, drool, “sneeze-powered missiles” and like essentials.

Occasionally clever—fifth-grade boys will love it. (Humor. 10-12)