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

Jeff Szpirglas (Author), Michael Cho (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Gross Universe is an eye-opening, sometimes stomach-turning exploration of the many physical things about animals, plants, and — of course — young readers themselves that often go politely unmentioned. From mucus to vomit, from farts to phlegm, nothing is off-limits. With topics including sweat, mold, pus (a Perfectly Understandable Secretion), our gross microscopic friends, and even fossilized dinosaur poop, the book holds myriad delights waiting to be discovered. Irreverent illustrations enliven the amazing parade of weird scientific facts. Special features include Games You Should Never Play (such as Komodo Kissing Booth), gross activities (example: create a Dandruff Landing Pad), and Scientist A and Scientist B, recurring characters whose bickering back and forth helps elucidate the facts. Gross Universe reveals a universe that may not always be pretty, but is sure to keep children engrossed, laughing, and learning.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Even the most reluctant readers will devour this fun and fascinating look at all that is disgusting and gross in the world around us…Cho’s illustrations keep the mood cheeky and fun. (BC Parent )

You are sure to get a response when you share the strange, but true, facts presented in such a visually appealing way. (Brandon This Week )

Jeff Szpirglas’ humorous and witty treatment of the subject matter delivers a delectable and thoroughly disgusting feast for those who delight in the truly repulsive. (Canadian Children’s Book News )

[Szpirglas takes information usually encountered in Biology 101 and presents it in a fashion that will grab the attention of readers 8 and up. But behind the jokes there is good science, clearly explained. (City Parent )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897066392
• ISBN-13: 978-1897066393
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,281,544 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.