Jessica's X-Ray [Paperback]

Pat Zonta (Author), Clive Dobson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Featuring six real x-rays printed on mylar, Jessica's X-Ray is a unique and fun look inside our bodies and the world of x-rays written by a professional x-ray technologist who has worked extensively with children. In the book, kids follow Jessica, who has broken her arm, as she tours the hospital seeing x-ray rooms and looking at actual x-ray, CAT-scan, MRI and ultrasound images. These real x-ray images are printed on mylar so readers can see firsthand what Jessica sees. An identification key at the end of the book also helps kids pick out bones and muscles on their own.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A young girl breaks her arm and must have an X ray. Later, while waiting for her cast to dry, she goes on a tour of the hospital and learns about other forms of body imaging, including CAT scans, ultrasound, and MRIs. The text briefly defines each test and gives an example of its use. For example, readers are told that an MRI employs a big magnet to take pictures that show tissue normally hidden behind bone; a tipped-in film of a head is included. Overall, six images printed on film are integrated into the book. With each one, questions are posed to help readers identify the different parts of each picture, be it skull, brain, ribs, or heart. Pale, delicate pencil-and-watercolor sketches help carry the text along and show the setting for each test and the equipment used. In question-and-answer format, the final two pages further define the imaging methods and explain why one would be chosen over another. Despite the rudimentary level of the illustrations and the text, the book is useful as an introduction to these complex medical procedures. Of course, Jessica leaves the hospital smiling.
Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5, younger for reading aloud. It's a great idea: introduce real X rays in a picture book and explain them in the story. When Jessica, 6, falls and breaks her arm, the doctor orders X rays. At first she's scared, but a reassuring technician explains how everything works. Integrated with the fictional story are actual X rays of a child's arm and hand, and kids will want to talk with an adult about what the transparencies show ("Can you see where Jessica's arm is broken? Can you see where her bones are growing?"). Unfortunately, the childish cover and format may deter an older audience, while the technical information may be too much for the preschool crowd, especially in the second half of the book, when Jessica tours the radiology department and the X rays show a CAT-scan of a skull, a computer image of a lung, an ultra-sound picture of a baby in utero, and an MRI of a head. At the back are questions and answers about the various techniques, how they work and what they show, and a guide to the pictures. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; 1 edition (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552975770
• ISBN-13: 978-1552975770
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's favorite book, March 9, 2010

By 

Elizabeth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jessica's X-Ray (Paperback)

This is my 2-year-old daughter's favorite book. The book has helped her understand a little bit more about bones, and I think it also awakens curiosity about what other mysteries might be hidden inside the body. I agree with another reviewer who said that there may be too much info about CAT scans and MRI for a small toddler, so I just abridge those pages ("This is a machine for taking pictures of the inside of your head!" and "This is another way to take pictures of the inside of your body -- you slide into this big tube and they take pictures," etc.) Olivia especially likes the wrist x-rays, the ultrasound baby and the dentist's x-ray of the mouth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jessica's X-Ray, January 19, 2004

By 

Allison (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jessica's X-Ray (Hardcover)

This book is an amazing learning tool for kids and adults. Anyone could find useful information in Jessica's X-Ray. For kids though, the real X-ray's that you find within the book allow kids to become intrigued and raise there level of interest in the subject matter. I would recommend this book to anyone but especially children who might need any sort of X-ray, there is no doubt in my mind that it would ease their worries and facilitate a much easier and enjoyble experience in the hospital or doctors office.
Thanks,
Allison

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars X-Rays Up close!, December 11, 2003

By 

Wendy Somerlot Bittel (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jessica's X-Ray (Paperback)

This is a great story for any child who has an interest in bones, doctors, hospitals, the human body etc. The illustrations are cute. The story is of a little girl, Jessica, who has broken her arm. As she is receiving care at the hospital, she sees all different types of x-rays and the different types of equipment that take them. The best part of all is that there are real X-rays on every other page for kids to study up close. My preschoolers really enjoyed spending some time looking over those pages. It's a very unique book. I would highly recommend it for the budding scientist or for any child who may have to have X-rays of their own taken.