Help kids learn about the human body

Children are curious about everything, and it's natural that children are curious about their own bodies. Today's reviewed books address this topic in distinctive ways, from humorous to fun and factual.

Help kids understand more about the human body with an upbeat, lighthearted approach. After all, knowledge is a good thing, and knowledge is power.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

• "Parts" written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold, Dial, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 7 — 8 and older

Read yourself: age 8 and older

Among the endless questions children have about themselves and their world, author/artist Tedd Arnold has pinpointed some of the more delicate (and funny) concerns children have about their own bodies.

"I think it was three days ago

"I first became aware —

"That in my comb were caught a couple

"Pieces of my hair.

"I stared at them, amazed, and more

"Than just a bit appalled

"To think that I was only five

"And starting to go bald!"

From losing hair to peeling skin to teeth falling out, these and other very real concerns that children have are dealt with in the most hilarious manner.

For anyone who likes a good laugh, and for all the children who are anxious about their physical well being, this delightful book with its comical illustrations is bound to be a winner with children everywhere.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Sutter Branch Library, 2147 California St., Sutter

Library Director: Karen Crocker

Choices this week: "Amber on the Mountain" by Tony Johnston; "Never Spit on Your Shoes" by Denys Cazet; "Kira Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata

Books to Buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

• "my silly body and book" by Eric Nagourney, concept and illustrations by P. Hanson, Workman, 2009, 64 page book and full-size fold-out cardboard body, $13.95 paperback/boxed set

Read aloud: age 7 and older

Read yourself: age 8 — 10

Kids — prepare to be fascinated as you learn about your body and how it works! The paperback book is chock-full of fascinating information, jokes and experiments, written in a lively, engaging fashion that makes learning fun.

Then, take that knowledge to the next level with the ingenious, full-color illustrated cardboard cut-out of a child with cool information under the numerous flaps on one side, then flip the cardboard child over to understand all about the human skeleton.

An exceptional offering in every regard, this selection makes learning almost effortless.

• "I'm Getting a Checkup" by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by David Milgrim, Clarion, 2009, 32 pages, $16 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 and older

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

Going to the doctor can make some children nervous. Those concerns can be soothed when a child understands what to anticipate at the doctor's office, and that's precisely what this book offers.

Journey with three children and their parents as they visit their doctors for a regular checkup. Learn about the different procedures and tools doctors and nurses use, and how they help keep a child healthy.

Upbeat in every way, "I'm Getting a Checkup" will help reassure children about going to the doctor.

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.