Customer Reviews

How the Incredible Human Body Works . . . By the Brainwaves

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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All of the DK books I've read have been packed with information and been accompanied by excellent, sometimes spectacular, graphics. "How the Incredible Human Body Works" squeezes a tremendous amount of information on the 60 some pages between the hard covers. Helping to convey the physiological information are hundreds of little BrainWaves,little, large-nosed beings in solid body suits lurking all over the pages making comments, performing skits, and committing bad puns.


The book begins with a synopsis of the various bodies of science in a loose time line with dates and names of prominent scientists. Following are pages about the senses, cells, respiratory, breathing, blood, and defense systems as well as our skeleton and muscle structures. The reader is also entertained and enlightened with facts about quacks, behavior, the brain, and medical science of the future.

I found the book to be fun, entertaining, and informative. However, take the stated 9-12 years reading level with a grain of salt or maybe a tablespoon of salt. Some vocabulary and terms are unavoidably formidable. The puns, though funny and clever, can be beyond the capacity of any nine-year-old, with puns referencing vintage TV shows like Petticoat Junction or the "Water, water everywhere" line referencing Coleridge.

Young readers may also be put off by the smallish font used throughout the book.

This reader found the antics of the Brainwaves creatively amusing. One of my favorite vignettes shows one Brainwave cook asking a fellow Brainwave how he'd like his meat done. The response - "Cooked please."

As an experienced teacher who's worked with students from 6 to 60, I see this book as more of a middle or high school resource than one for the elementary student.

This book has lots of graphics and a good amount of information. It's a great addition to a human body/biology study unit. You should know that a lot of the pages have fold outs, which are great for older kids not so great for younger ones.

The book has many pictures that are fun for kids to read and learn. Both my 6 yrs old and 8 yrs old son like it.

My 14 year old son loves these "How....works" type of books. He is very enthusiastic about this particular book. The information is given in an informative but really entertaining way.

This book might be interesting not only for children but for adults as well.
It's good to recall things from school and review the knowledge acquainted years ago. Plus funny ilustrations.