YOUR BLOOD AND ITS CARGO

Perhaps because there are already several easy books on the heart Kalina skims that topic in a three-page description that dwells on the frequency of its beating (we would prefer, however, some mention of the different chambers and some explanation of the diagram showing blood flow through the heart) to concentrate on the blood's functions, components, and circulation through the body. Certainly what he does cover is presented in such a breezy style that young readers will be whisked right through without expending any conscious effort; all the details and explanations are worked in by way of elaboration on how the plasma ""hustles"" its cargo of chemicals and food elements to the cells, how the oxygen and carbon dioxide carrying red blood cells are ""not just along for the ride,"" how the white cells police the body, ""ever on guard for any foreign invader,"" and the platelets stand ""always ready to plug a sudden leak."" In the same way Wheatley, who can do an enlargement of a kidney tubule as dearly and instructively as anyone (and even her heart diagram does about as much as a picture can be expected to do), is most herself with the clowning kids whose grimacing faces and cavorting bodies outline her sketches of blood vessels--or the flowered bikini bottom she slaps on below an encircled diagram of the kidneys. A classroom supplement worth trying on resistant readers, even though adults might wince at the flippancy.