Girls vs. Guys: Surprising Differences between the Sexes

Rosen, Michael J.

ISBN 10: 1467716103 ISBN 13: 9781467716109

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books, 2014

Synopsis

Is it true that guys believe they're smarter than they really are? Or that girls talk more than guys? Do mosquitoes bite guys more than girls? Which sex is better at diapering babies, remembering birthdays, or hammering nails? These are just some of the questions to which you'll find some pretty astounding answers. Using scientific research, author Michael J. Rosen explores the ways in which environment and experience, as well as neurology, physiology, and genetics come together to shape personality and gender behavior―in both expected and unexpected ways. Amusing and informative, these quirky questions and answers will have males and females rethinking their notions of differences between the genders. So, really: Who is better at lying? Who should be more afraid of lightning? Who makes plants grow taller? Who's got more cooties? Guys or girls?

About this title

About the Author:

Michael J. Rosen is the acclaimed author of some three dozen books for children of all ages (and even more for grown-ups!), including The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Poems for Birders; Our Farm: Four Seasons with Five Kids on One Famiy’s Farm (which he both wrote and illustrated with some 400 photographs); A Drive in the Country; Don’t Shoot!; A School for Pompey Walker; and Elijah’s Angel. For over 35 years, ever since working as a counselor, water-safety instructor, and art teacher at local community centers, Michael has been engaged with young children, their parents, and teachers. As a visiting author, in-service speaker, and workshop leader, he frequently travels to schools and conferences around the nation, sharing his stories, poems, creativity, and humor.

As a talented editor and illustrator, Michael has enlisted hundreds of other authors and artists to create 15 philanthropic books that aid in the fight to end childhood hunger through Share Our Strength’s national efforts, or that offer care to less fortunate companion animals through The Company of Animals Fund, a granting program he began in 1990.

For the last four years, working with the Ohio Children’s Foundation, Michael created a early literacy activity book, particularly designed for kids who are likely to start school without knowing the alphabet: You, Me, and the ABCs: 100 Ready-for-Reading Activities for Kids and Their Favorite Grown-ups.

Review:

"Bite-sized pieces of scientific research seek to illuminate the gender gap. Taking a mostly humorous approach, Rosen examines the stereotypes that paint men as the ones who never ask for directions and women as the ones who talk all the time. Some of these stereotypes turn out to be rooted in biology and can be demonstrated scientifically, such as how room temperature affects how men and women learn. Others are more a product of society and culture, such as women smiling more than men due to sex roles in the media. Each stereotype is covered in a short, two-page spread, featuring full-color photos and well-written text that doesn't try too hard to be cool. In a few instances, Rosen doesn't make enough of a connection between nature and nurture, though―like not pointing out the societal impact of boys' demonstrated tendency to equate girls with power tools when looking them at the beach. Without going deeper into these stereotypes, this title remains on the surface. Readers will learn some basic facts about sex differences, but it'll take some extra leaps on their parts to connect all the dots to understand just what it all means." ―Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"This title provides interesting fodder in the ongoing 'battle of the sexes' while citing results from recent experimental research measuring phenomenon such as the amount of sweat each gender produces, the effect each gender's voice has on plants, and which sex will most likely be the first to recover from a romantic breakup. Deft writing laden with amusing plays on words ('Hold your horsepower! Not so fast, folks') helps relay cutting edge information about the brain's function and differences between the sexes. However, it is the very premise of the book that will endear it to some while alienating others seeking a less stereotypical view. While some of the research offered appears to be substantiated, other fun facts, such as the statement that guys are vainer than their counterparts or that girls smile more, seem less definite. Colorful photos captioned with key information give it the feel of a university prospectus, while a graphic diagram of the brain near the back of the book will enable readers to visualize the parts of the brain referenced in earlier pages. This choice may pave the way to further discussion and serve to inspire students to conduct their own social experiments." ―School Library Journal

(Journal)

"Are there differences in the ways boys and girls rate their intelligence, their looks, their truthfulness? How different are the ways the genders argue, what they dream about, their attraction as mosquito magnets, as plant wizards? These and other real differences, the focus of amusing arguments, have scientific answers that show differences between the sexes. Backed by neurological and sociological research, Rosen provides the often surprising answers in an amusing, readable manner. Each question is posed and answered on colorful two-page spreads, often with photos. These issues can be considered more deeply with additional research, or serve to disprove commonly held myths."―School Library Connection

(Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1467716103
• ISBN 13: 9781467716109
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 72