Who Gives a Poop?: Surprising Science from One End to the Other - Hardcover

Montgomery, Heather L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 154760347X ISBN 13: 9781547603473

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020

Synopsis

Follow scientist Heather L. Montgomery into science labs, forests, hospitals, and landfills, as she asks: Who uses poo?

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020

* “A well-stirred slurry of facts and fun.” -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “Feces have lots of great stories to tell.” -BCCB, starred review
* “Equal parts informative and grotesquely fascinating.” -School Library Journal, starred review
“Excrement has never been so educational.” -Booklist

Poop is disgusting, but it's also packed with potential. One scientist spent months training a dog to track dung to better understand elephant birthing patterns. Another discovered that mastodon poop years ago is the reason we enjoy pumpkin pie today. And every week, some folks deliver their own poop to medical facilities, where it is swirled, separated, and shipped off to a hospital to be transplanted into another human. There's even a train full of human poop sludge that's stuck without a home in Alabama!

This irreverent and engaging narrative nonfiction book shows that poop isn't just waste-and that dealing with it responsibly is our duty.

Read Who Gives a Poop? if you're looking for:
-a fresh, funny, engaging book packed with firsthand research
-a book that shows the scientific method in action
-approachable, inviting, high-interest nonfiction
-the voice of "the female Bill Nye," or Mary Roach for kids

About this title

About the Author

Heather L. Montgomery has taught for over 20 years (both inside and outside the classroom) as well as directed a school-based environmental center. She has written curriculum; trained hundreds of teachers, naturalists, and librarians; and, helped thousands of children to make friends with the natural world. Each year, she works directly with over ten thousand children at festivals, school visits, and at environmental centers. During a typical presentation, petrified body parts and tree guts encourage scientific thinking and inspire reluctant readers. Her professional development programs for teachers have won awards and rave reviews. She lives in Ardmore, Alabama.

www.heatherlmontgomery.com/

Reviews

Gr 4–8—Nature and science can provide entertainment and a sense of wonderment. Young readers interested in the "ick" factor will appreciate Montgomery's exploration of all things scatological. Chapter titles include "Hunk of Tongue" and "Poo-Poo Choo-Choo." Montgomery's descriptive, engaging prose makes readers feel as though they are front-row companions on her scientific journey: "The air between us almost prickles. Me, the animal lover with a bird pendant hanging from my neck. Him, the trophy hunter with real heads hanging from his wall." The footnotes are extensive, but at times are personal and humorous, adding an inviting tone. Gottlieb's expertly drawn illustrations are spare. The annotated bibliography is thorough. Overall, Montgomery provides a well-researched read. Children will delight in the gross factor and deepen their understanding of the scientific process. VERDICT This narrative stomp through animal poop is equal parts informative and grotesquely fascinating. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine P.L., WI

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 154760347X
• ISBN 13: 9781547603473
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Gottlieb Iris
• Number of pages: 192