MY BODYWORKS

Human anatomy with a beat. Not so much an independent work as a hardcover illustrated lyrics sheet for the accompanying CD, this features the verses to a dozen catchy, mid-tempo songs printed opposite simply drawn scenes of sunny-faced, active-looking children, mostly at play. The topics range from teeth to bones, breathing to passing gas (this last tactfully evoked on the CD with a kazoo), and the writing is as clunky as lyrics sans music usually are: “So don’t get embarrassed, / No need to feel shy. / Since everyone does it, / And now you know why.” Though arrangements for the songs are not included, four labeled body diagrams, with a scattering of random facts alongside, provide a few morsels of additional information to close. An unusual way to introduce the topic—but the CD is the only part of this that stands alone. (Picture book. 6-8)