Member Reviews

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"How Does My Body Work? Human Body Book for Kids" by Sara LaFleur, MD, is a treasure trove of knowledge for the curious minds of children aged 8-12. This book is not just a reading journey; it's an interactive adventure that invites young readers to dive hands-on into the world of biology and anatomy.

The book's strength lies in its STEAM-based approach, blending science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to create a learning experience that is as entertaining as it is educational. The more than 40 experiments and activities that are thoughtfully designed to engage kids in a tactile understanding of how their bodies function. From creating models to eating experiments, children are encouraged to explore and discover through action.

Dr. LaFleur's expertise shines through the pages, with full-color illustrations and photographs that not only capture the attention but also help explain complex concepts in a digestible manner. The book is peppered with weird and wonderful facts that are sure to delight and surprise, such as the change in height from morning to evening and the phenomenon of 'gorilla ribs'.

What sets this book apart is its ability to make science accessible and fun. It's a book that doesn't just tell children how their bodies work; it shows them. Through the interactive STEAM experiments, kids learn about their body systems in a way that will stick with them far longer than words on a page.

In conclusion, "How Does My Body Work?" is a must-have for any young scientist's library. It's a book that educates, engages, and excites, fostering a love for learning and a curiosity about the human body that could inspire the next generation of doctors, biologists, or STEAM enthusiasts.

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I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

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This was a very informative and detailed book about the body. It is divided into different sections for different areas Building Blocks, The Nervous System, The Musculoskeletal System, The Circulatory System, The Respiratory System, The Digestive System, The Excretory System, The Immune System and The Endocrine & Reproductive Systems. There are different illustrations that are throughout the book that give very good visuals. At the end of each part is a group of some experiments to help to further help children understand the information. I especially like the DIY Hand Sanitizer and Xray Art projects. I think that some of them would need help from a parent for the 8 or 9 year olds, but I also think this would be a great family project to even get the younger children involved. This book would also be good in the classroom to excite children in biology. I do think the chicken soup part could have been left out due to children being sensitive to parts of it.

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Well-written and engaging, the explanations of body systems are easy to understand and kid-relatable. The experiments illustrate the intended concepts and include some activities that would be appropriate in each of several different settings including classroom demonstration, science project, homeschool, and individual investigation.

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What a great resource for curious young minds! As a mom to kids full of questions about how things work, and a teacher- I really enjoyed this book!

The images were well done, and visually appealing.

The experiments were well laid out, and my daughter is very excited to try some of the out.

The index is great for when you just want to find the answer to a specific question without looking through the whole thing.

We loved the “whoa weird” facts!

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The cover and title page of the book states it is for 8-12 year olds. I'd say the younger side might need some assistance with some of this. Book chapters are Building Blocks, The Nervous System, The Musculoskeletal System, The Circulatory System, The Respiratory System, The Digestive System, The Excretory System, The Immune System, and The Endocrine & Reproductive Systems. Each chapter starts with some background info, followed by experiments. It was a little odd, because some experiments had illustrations, some had photos, and some didn't have either and were just text. The experiments were mostly decent - the two i was most bothered by were making chicken soup and dissecting a chicken, and then growing a plant and using pee as fertilizer.
I did like that this was written by a doctor who is a STEM education advocate.
Overall a good book for kids interested in the body or parents looking for help answering kids questions on what the body does.

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A really lovely book full of information kids can easily understand. The visuals especially were helpful! Definitely recommend!

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While I found this book fun and educational, I didn’t think it’s quite suitable for targeted audience. Also, I am not really into the usage of foods in experimental works. The part “pee” also was my least favorite although the idea is good. Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy.

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Kind thanks to Netgalley and Zeitgeist for access to an advanced reading copy of “How Does My Body work? Human Body Book for Kids.”

“Did you know that you are amazing? It’s true! (And not just because your parents say you are.) You are the superstar owner and boss of one of the most incredible creations ever made—your body!” — Sara LaFleur, MD

“How Does My How Does My Body work? Human Body Book for Kids” explores the topic of human anatomy in a way that appeals to children who are between the ages of 8 to 12.

The book is divided into 9 parts: building blocks, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, excretory system, immune system, and endocrine and reproductive systems. Each topic is covered in a manner that is easy to understand. Analogies are used throughout the book to create connections between the reader, their personal experiences, and the content covered in the book. “Whoa, Weird!” sidebars can be found throughout the text and they are filled with interesting information to further pique a child’s curiosity on the subject.

Each chapter concludes with 5 engaging and hands-on experiments directly related to the topic of the chapter. The required materials for the experiments are easy to obtain and most involve materials that you might already have on hand.

The experiments are easy to follow, well laid out, and include questions at the end to provide further connection and understanding.

Experiments, such as building a gelatin cellular 3D model and explaining it others, are excellent ways to help deepen understanding of the subject. As the author says: “You’re more likely to remember what you have learned by building a model and teaching someone about it.” It’s clear that the author made a concerted effort to include experiments that reinforce understanding and connection in a fun yet effective way.

In “How Does My How Does My Body work? Human Body Book for Kids,” Dr. LaFleur expertly presents the content in an educational and engaging manner. It’s an excellent book that will help children learn about their body and human anatomy.

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<b><i><u>please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers</b></i></u>
<i><u>I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. </i></u>
when i originally got this book i didn't realize it was for an "older kid" audience. but i was able to read it to myself and modify some of the experiments for my younger kid.
the range of experiments with each category was awesome and there was something for everyone with variations for time, cost, and length of time it would take.
lots of cool stuff to help kids learn about their bodies!

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his is an enjoyable book to use. If you're teaching kids about how their bodies work, it includes a few scientific experiments to keep the subject fresh.
The scientific experiments are unremarkable.
Intensely entertaining and genuinely created instructional activity book to study human anatomy- this engaging style is ideal for teaching a complex topic. There were clear and straightforward instructions, accessible, fun information, and excellent pictures. This would be a terrific addition to a school for lessons that require a bit of fun and creativity, but I also think it would be excellent at home for a good bonding exercise with parents and their children. Excellent reference book for beginners on anatomy and activities connected to training, health, and nutrition. Edible cell models?! Please, yes! Creative ideas enable research of biological systems and challenge children to develop new ways to demonstrate learning. This book would be an excellent addition to a homeschool, classroom, or school library because it contains facts, crafts ideas, and lab safety recommendations. Activities that pose a risk are marked with a reminder to seek adult assistance. This literature can be used to introduce children to the world of STEAM. Begin with the cell and progress through tissues and organs. Then, take a tour of the human body's primary organ systems. Colourful images complement the text and make it easier to read. Ideal for children aged 8 to 13. This literature can be used to introduce children to the world of STEAM. Begin with the cell and progress through tissues and organs. Then, take a tour of the human body's primary organ systems. Colourful images complement the text and make it easier to read. Ideal for children aged 8 to 13. The fundamentals of the reproductive system and genetics are covered. The index at the conclusion makes locating activities, plans, organs, and so on easy. An excellent all-around basic science resource.

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Colorful fun book to help teach how the human body works. My children enjoyed that there was so much information included with each body system and experiments. They especially enjoyed the excretory system.

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I liked how colorful everything was
I did not like how clustered a lot of the information is if there was more separation of contact, I think I would’ve been able to navigate it a little easier

This is a fun book to use. If you’re teaching kids about how their body Works it has a few scientific experiments to make the topic not so stale.
The scientific experiments are nothing to rave about. They are pretty basic of what you would find in other experiment books related to this topic.

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This book is amazing for kids and their endless curiosity. This book is full of interesting information and fun experiments and I think this would make a great addition to any child’s library. I think this book is easy enough for kids to follow along and the experiments help to give a better understanding of everything. I can’t imagine a child not enjoying this book. We haven’t done any of the experiments but it was nice reading this with my kids and watching them absorb and take in all about the way our bodies work.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

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Intensely fun and an authentically crafted educational activity book to learn human anatomy- I think this type of engaging format is perfect for teaching a topic that can be hard to grasp. There were clear and concise directions, fun facts that are relatable and great visuals. I think this would be a great addition to a classroom for units where a bit of fun and creativity are needed- but I also think it would be useful in the home as well for a good bonding activity with parents and their kids.

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YES! This is an amazing resource for our Human Body Systems unit we do in 9th grade Biology. It’s informative and has simple activities the students can attempt. It’s written in friendly-language and appropriate to our content level.

I loved how this was organized and I especially loved the “dissection” via chicken. I hope I can pick up a copy to use at the end of the year to share with students in my classroom.

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This is the best resource for children who are learning basic body science that I've come across so far. It is easily understood by most ages. The pictures are easily explained and allow the kids to read through it without much guardian assistance. And overall, it's entertaining.

There were still some topics left unexplored, but for the basics this book makes the cut.

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I really enjoy this book. I was wanting to find a good book that was kid friendly, meaning that it keeps my kiddo engaged.) he really liked this book and we both learned a lot that we had not known. It was educational and a great book for kids! Highly recommend!

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With a number of experiments featured at the conclusion of each chapter, this book is sure to delight and inspire readers wanting to learn more about the human body. The explanations compare the body to things the reader would be familiar with. This is done very well so that the reader can understand how the body functions. The writing is engaging and clear in its purpose. Mature readers would enjoy this best- the text does require stamina in the reader. The experiments are well thought out. I wonder if there are too many experiments. However, with the number of experiments there is sure to be one or more a reader would be able to apply at home. I recommend for upper elementary readers and older readers.

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How Does My Body work? did not meet my expectations for the topic. There was a disconnect between the information presented and what I believe target audience is. A lot of information was glossed over or skipped entirely. Suggested activities were hit or miss with regard to whether or not they actually added to the topic at hand, and those that actually did relate to the various symptoms were simple activities most adults have done or could easily find with a quick Pinterest search. My young co-reviewers gave it a big thumbs down.

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