Human Body Theater: A Non-Fiction Revue

by Maris Wicks

Overview

Welcome to the Human Body Theater, where your master of ceremonies is going to lead you through a theatrical revue of each and every biological system of the human body! Starting out as a skeleton, the MC puts on a new layer of her costume (her body) with each "act." By turns goofy and intensely informative, the Human Body Theater is always accessible and always entertaining.

Maris Wicks is a biology nerd, and by the time you've read this book, you will be too! Harnessing her passion for science (and her background as a science educator for elementary and middle-school students), she has created a comics-format introduction to the human body that will make an expert of any reader — young or old!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596439290
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	10/06/2015
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Maris Wicks lives in sunny Somerville, Massachusetts. She is the author behind Human Body Theater, as well as the illustrator of New York Times bestselling Primates, with Jim Ottaviani. Wicks has also created comics for Spongebob Comics, DC and Marvel. When Maris is not drawing comics, she can be found prepping slides for her collection of vintage microscopes.

Editorial Reviews

Brilliant adjunct reading for biology students and the terminally curious.” —Publishers Weekly

“A delightful and enlightening addition to nonfiction graphic novel collections.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“This informative, frank exploration of the body perfectly balances science and silliness.” —Booklist, starred review

“This anatomical extravaganza really gets to the heart of the matter. Not to mention the guts, nerves, veins, bones...” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2015-07-22
A theatrical introduction to human anatomy, as well-choreographed as it is informative. In 11 "Acts" hosted con brio by a skeletal impresario ("Bring out the lungs!"), Wicks parades a revue of body systems across a curtained stage. It's a full program, with a teeming supporting cast from Dopamine to Diaphragm, Golgi Body to Gastroenteritis joining more-familiar headliners. The presentation opens with a zoom down to the cellular and even molecular levels to lay foundations for later macro and micro views of digestion, infection, and disease. Following this, the five senses (only five), the "dance of the oxygen fairies," allergic reactions, and other anatomical processes that make up each system's major components, most sporting cheery emoji-style faces, expressively demonstrate their respective functions. The reproductive system's named parts deliver a frank but visually discreet turn with descriptions of erections and fertilization but no direct depictions, and it stops with the onset of puberty. The performances are enhanced by labeled diagrams, pitches on relevant topics from the importance of immunization and proper nutrition to synonyms for "fart," and lists of important words and further resources. A few miscues aside (no, the speed of sound is not invariant), it's a grand show, with a logically placed intermission following a peek into the bladder and a literal "wrap" at the end as the emcee puts herself together from inside out. It's a lot to take in at one sitting, but this anatomical extravaganza really gets to the heart of the matter. Not to mention the guts, nerves, veins, bones…. (glossary, bibliography) (Graphic nonfiction. 12-14)

Kirkus Reviews