Gross Universe: Your Guide to All Disgusting Things Under the Sun [Hardcover]

Jeff Szpirglas (Author), Michael Cho (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2004 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

An eye-opening, stomach-turning look at the world around us.

Gross Universe reveals the science behind all the disgusting things that kids love to talk about. From mucus to vomit, from farts to phlegm, nothing is off limits. It's not always pretty, but it is fascinating. Find out why we need scabs, how saliva keeps our teeth clean, and why pus is a "Perfectly Understandable Secretion."

With his wicked sense of humor, Szpirglas delves into the topics that kids find irresistibly revolting:

• Games you should never play, such as Komodo Dragon Spin-the-Bottle
• Fun activities, such as the Dandruff Landing Pad
• Scientist A and Scientist B, who help break down scientific facts for young readers

Topics covered include:

• Sickening skin
• The hideous healing process
• Spectacular stenches
• Things that ooze
• Open up and say...Eugh!
• Foul fossils and putrid prehistory
• What a gas!
• Mad about mucus
• V is for vomit

Gross Universe will keep young audiences laughing and learning as they uncover the science behind some of life's more odious occurrences.

(200411)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–This lively title is for children who love stomach-flipping facts, most of which are connected to the human body. Whether describing the mites that live on dead skin or in the nose and around eyelashes or maggots that clean out pus, the information is presented in a witty manner that is sure to keep readers turning pages to discover more. Additional details are provided by cartoon characters named Scientist A and Scientist B. Puns and wordplays abound as the text reveals tidbits about dandruff (complete with a shiny black "Dandruff Landing Pad"), ear wax, tooth scum, and digestive difficulties that are unsuited for polite conversation. Chapter headings include "Sickening Skin," "Hideous Healing," "House of Wax (and Other Leaky, Oozy Things)," "What a Gas," and "V Is for Vomit." Szpirglas proves that gross facts are cool, and the book may just convince kids who think science is boring to take another look.–Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Will have you laughing -- but also learning about human and animal biology. (Children's Digest 200409)

A cornucopia of genuine, if weird, information... demonstrates a real fascination with the natural world. (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 200405)

Nothing is too sacred... mucus, gas, parasites, slime, tears... each finds a place in this well-researched and documented text. (Sally Bender Brandon This Week 20040715)

Plentiful illustrations... subtle humor... each topic is succinctly and accurately covered. (Felissa R. Lashley Science Books and Films )

Lively title for children who love stomach-flipping facts... may just convince kids who think science is boring to take another look. (Kathryn Kosiorek School Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (March 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894379640
• ISBN-13: 978-1894379649
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,488,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh Yuck!, May 2, 2010

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gross Universe: Your Guide to All Disgusting Things Under the Sun (Hardcover)

Jeff Szpirglas' book GROSS UNIVERSE is subtitled YOUR GUIDE TO ALL DISGUSTING THINGS UNDER THE SUN. There's just a bit of hyperbole in that but GROSS UNIVERSE is a wonderfully entertaining and educational look at some foul but fascinating facts of life. Published in 2004 by Maple Tree Press, Szpirglas' book is intended for readers 9-12.

Within GROSS UNIVERSE'S 64 pages is the straight skinny on such yuck-inducing items as house dust mites, hairballs, cockroaches, leeches, maggots, boogers and nose-picking, slug slime, ear wax, teardrops and what's in 'em, eye crusties, bad breath and saliva, tapeworms, ticks, botflies, burps and farts, B.O., #1 and #2, vomiting and so on. Talk about a rogue's gallery of grossness!

All that info is - dare I say it? - sweetened by the LOL drawings that accompany the text. Educational, yes; Entertaining, definitely!

Though GROSS UNIVERSE is pitched for readers 9-12, I think readers of all ages will enjoy the book; it's a hoot! And parents might even find it useful when Junior walks up and asks "Daddy, where does poop come from?" or something similarly yucky. Recommended.