Non-Fiction Monday: Discover More: Human Body by Steve Setford

Discover More: Human Body by Steve Setford. 112 p. Scholastic Inc., June, 2014. 9780545667760. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)

The challenge of overview books on any subject is what to include. Too little detail might not pique interest or be useful and too much detail might overwhelm. This volume is so crammed with photos and facts, it does overwhelm. In the best possible way. It's so dang gorgeous that one does not mind revisiting it again and again. 

The subject of the human body is endlessly fascinating and so complex that students need to revisit the topic a number of times in their journey from kindergarten to senior year of high school. Hopefully, they delve a bit deeper each time. Indeed, entire tomes are written about each organ let alone body system. 

The system approach is usually the way units and overview books are organized. This one takes a slightly different approach. Chapters are entitled, "Your amazing body," "On the move," "Skin you're in," "Body Engines," "Fuel for the body," and "In Control." The familiar body systems are laid out on pages 18 and 19 with arrows pointing to the pages containing information at each illustration. 

Oh, the illustrations! Each one is a feast for the eyes. There are historical drawings, photographs, artists' renderings, MRI and other computerized images and charts. Lots of "Wow!" factor here. Especially compelling is the close-up photo of the iris and pupil…or the nerve bundle…or the cells dividing. Can't choose. Of course, a few elicit, "Ew!" If the standard, 3mm head louse enlarged to fill a page doesn't make you start scratching, the ultra-enlarged photo of eyelash mites might send you over the edge. I would've appreciated knowing how many times photos such as these were enlarged but I don't think it will occur to most kids. 

The accompanying downloadable ebook, Be a Brainiac, is filled with fun brain teasers. A three-page glossary, index and photo credits conclude this volume. Make room on the 612 shelf for this one. It won't sit.