11/01/2013
Gr 1–3—These small-format volumes introduce the hows and whys of familiar bodily reactions. Text pages face photos or diagrams related to the simple explanations. Some of the basic anatomical diagrams are more helpful than others. For example, in Hiccup, a labeled illustration shows that the nose, mouth, epiglottis, trachea, and lungs help explain hiccups, but in Yawn, the diagram showing the portion of the brain that controls yawning is unnamed and not labeled. Possible reasons for each reaction (such as allergies, smoke, or colds for coughing) are discussed. While stressing that most responses are not serious, the books note that conditions such as uncontrolled vomiting or persistent coughing might warrant a doctor visit. Each stand-alone volume could be considered as needed for report material. Penny Durant's Sniffles, Sneezes, Hiccups, and Coughs (DK, 2005) combines a number of topics.
