What Is a Bellybutton?: First Questions and Answers About the Human Body

Answers questions about the human body, such as "Why do I get hungry?" and "Why do I breathe faster when I run?"

PreSchool-Grade 1-This book offers basic explanations of body functions and serves as a starting point for discussion. Questions young children are likely to ask are stated in simple language and succinctly answered. "Why do I get hungry?," "Why do my friend and I have different skin colors?," "Why do I get hiccups?," and "Why can't fathers have babies?" are among the topics addressed. Supplementary tidbits of information-"It doesn't tickle when you tickle yourself" and "You have over 206 bones in your body"-are included under the heading "Did you know?" Blue pen-and-ink drawings, shaded with colored pencil, are large and vibrant, depicting an African-American preschooler and her family. Friends and other adults are representative of a variety of ethnic groups; gender depiction is balanced and nonstereotyped. In all, this is an attractive, conveniently packaged presentation.
Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.