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BODY BONES

Name: BODY BONES
Author: Shelley Rotner
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3162-5

by Shelley Rotner ; David A. White ; illustrated by Shelley Rotner ; David A. White ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2014

A fascinating introduction to bones.

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Lots of facts about bones fill this introductory look at the skeletal-system specifics of humans and several animals, though it is the photos overlaid with bones that readers will be most likely to remember.

Rotner’s photos of children at play (most apparently Caucasian, alas) and animals are strikingly augmented by White’s illustrations, which show the bones underneath the skin. There is a young ballerina in front of a mirror; a woman walking; a double-page spread showing growth with photos of a baby, a preschooler and a grown woman; an elephant, a horse, etc. These illustrations help highlight the jobs of the skeletal system: to give shape, support, protect and help the body move. An early illustration shows the internal organs the rib cage protects. When the text talks about the number of bones in the body, horses, birds, rabbits, fish and snakes are given for comparison against humans (baby and adult). The text also discusses how bones are adapted to animals’ needs: An elephant has thick leg bones, while a bird has hollow bones, and the cartilage of a tadpole changes to bone in a frog’s body. Teeth, exoskeletons and horns are also touched upon, as well as bones’ makeup and the formation of fossils. The text concludes with two brief paragraphs about tendons, ligaments and joints, as well as some things you can do to keep bones healthy.

A fascinating introduction to bones. (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 6-10)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-8234-3162-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
FINDING HOME
by Gwen Agna & Shelley Rotner ; photographed by Shelley Rotner

- BOOK REVIEW
EVERY BODY
by Shelley Rotner ; illustrated by Shelley Rotner

- BOOK REVIEW
TRUE YOU
by Gwen Agna & Shelley Rotner ; photographed by Shelley Rotner

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ADA LACE, ON THE CASE

From the Ada Lace series , Vol. 1

by Emily Calandrelli & Tamson Weston ; illustrated by Renée Kurilla ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 29, 2017

The story feels a bit contrived, but Ada will be a welcome addition to the small circle of science-loving girls in the...

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Using science and technology, third-grader Ada Lace kicks off her new series by solving a mystery even with her leg in a cast.

Temporarily housebound after a badly executed bungee jump, Ada uses binoculars to document the ecosystem of her new neighborhood in San Francisco. She records her observations in a field journal, a project that intrigues new friend Nina, who lives nearby. When they see that Ms. Reed’s dog, Marguerite, is missing, they leap to the conclusion that it has been stolen. Nina does the legwork and Ada provides the technology for their search for the dognapper. Story-crafting takes a back seat to scene-setting in this series kickoff that introduces the major players. As part of the series formula, science topics and gadgetry are integrated into the stories and further explained in a “Behind the Science” afterword. This installment incorporates drones, a wireless camera, gecko gloves, and the Turing test as well as the concept of an ecosystem. There are no ethnic indicators in the text, but the illustrations reveal that Ada, her family, and bratty neighbor Milton are white; Nina appears to be Southeast Asian; and Mr. Peebles, an inventor who lives nearby, is black.

The story feels a bit contrived, but Ada will be a welcome addition to the small circle of science-loving girls in the chapter-book world. (Fiction. 7-9)

Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4814-8599-9

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
ADA LACE SEES RED
by Emily Calandrelli with Tamson Weston ; illustrated by Renée Kurilla

PARKER BELL AND THE SCIENCE OF FRIENDSHIP

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PARKER BELL AND THE SCIENCE OF FRIENDSHIP

by Cynthia Platt ; illustrated by Rea Zhai ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2019

A lighthearted read that will offer comfort to young children that others too face challenges of friendship, teamwork and...

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In her debut chapter book, Platt shares the story of a young girl navigating friendships and the challenges of trying to win her school’s science triathlon.

Young Parker Bell is a curious child who loves science and aspires to match up to Mae Jemison and Jane Goodall one day. Her best friend and partner in science is coding whiz Cassie Malouf. They have been best friends since kindergarten, but Parker gets jealous when Cassie suddenly starts becoming friendly with Theo Zachary, a shy boy in their class. Parker worries that Cassie likes Theo more than her, and she fights hard to keep her friend. Matters only get worse when Cassie invites Theo to be part of their team for the science triathlon, which features a science trivia contest, an egg drop, and a presentation. In a somewhat predictable plot, Parker realizes she has a lot in common with Theo as she spends more time with him. Platt works hard to defy gender stereotypes. In addition to the girls’ STEM enthusiasm, Parker’s mom teaches phys ed, her dad owns a bakery, and Cassie’s mom teaches math. Zhai’s simple black-and-white illustrations of Parker, Cassie, and the classrooms provide a good visual aid to the story, depicting Parker and Theo as white and Cassie with dark skin and long black hair.

A lighthearted read that will offer comfort to young children that others too face challenges of friendship, teamwork and competition. (Fiction. 6-10)