UNDER YOUR SKIN

Covering most of the major systems (circulatory, muscular, skeletal, digestive, respiratory and nervous), this is one introduction to the human body that will find a willing and fascinated audience. Although their terms are not always the most scientific (“food pipe” instead of esophagus), they do grab the attention of the intended audience, as do the abundant similes and metaphors. Readers will find “pee,” “poop” and “snot” scattered amidst the more scientific body-part terminology: “Your rectum is your body’s own trash can!” The illustrations are nicely detailed and well-labeled. The half-flaps on each page (they flip to reveal an insider’s view of the body) cleverly line up with both the right and left-hand pages, making the most of the book’s space. A table of contents and index allows readers to use this as a rudimentary reference source. The older elementary set will be clamoring for this lighthearted but informative look at their own insides. (Nonfiction. 5-10)