How it Works: Human Body

Praise

An overview of the human body, complete with die-cut holes highlighting various internal organs and systems.

Via straightforward, plainspoken text and crisp, clear illustrations featuring several charts, readers learn about skin, the names of body parts, muscles, organs, bones, the five senses, and more. A White-presenting, underwear-clad child with straight brown hair is the model for the human body on every recto; the versos feature die-cut holes displaying bones, veins, arteries, the brain, and more. The information is clearly presented in short paragraphs and sticks to concrete ideas young children can understand. Dr. Mouse, a rodent in a lab coat and tie, asks questions and shares pithy factoids through the use of speech bubbles (“If a bone breaks, it will start to repair itself right away!”) on each double-page spread. Clear, black labels with white text employ a mix of scientific and colloquial names for various body parts. Eleven of the ten bodies or body parts pictured have pale skin, the exception being a pair of brown hands playing a keyboard to illustrate muscle memory. One White child with hair in a ponytail demonstrates the use of sign language in a very brief mention of deafness on the “Five Senses” spread.

A clear, engaging presentation, but its lack of varied skin colors does child readers a disservice. (Board book. 2-5)–Kirkus