Customer Reviews

Poop: A Natural History of the Unmentionable (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards))

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In Poop: A Natural History of the Unmentionables (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2004), author Nicola Davies and illustrator Neal Layton explore the scientific wonders of feces-from their biological functions to the many different shapes and forms of excrement. Most of the subjects are animals, with a few references to human defecation.

Davies, who holds a degree in zoology, successfully tackles the arcane and often hush-hush topic with a mixture of humor and straightforward biology. For example, the appearance of whale poop is explained plainly: it looks like "giant blobs of strawberry ice cream breaking up in the water." The glossary at the end, though, offers vague definitions, at best. With that said, Davies has an ability for seamlessly combining the scientific terminology with colloquialisms. The words poop and feces are used interchangeably.

The book's second person "you" point-of-view speaks directly and gently to the audience. However, Davies may assume too much about her audience. She disregards non-Christian readers in describing the mistletoe "we use to decorate our homes at Christmas."

The product of many unconventional artistic mediums-including an old toothbrush and a cake-icing bag-Neal Layton's hilarious illustrations will stir up giggles from children and adults alike. Especially funny are the personifications of animals, with thought bubbles above their heads. Some actual photographs of some of the subjects would be helpful (their outward appearance, not their waste).

Obvious comparisons can be drawn between this and Susan Goodman's The Truth About Poop, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith, and The Scoop on Poop by Wayne Lynch.

Poop: A Natural History of the Unmentionables is not a book for every youngster. The faint of heart or queasy of stomach need not read. Otherwise, this is a great book for a second to fifth grader interested in learning more about the brown stuff.

Birds do it. Bugs do it. Fish do it. Dogs and cats do it. Even you and I do it. So why not read a funny, fabulous, book about it.
Poop grabs your attention from the funny cartoons on the dust jacket to the smeary brown streaks on the inside covers.
Nicola Davies knows how to create a lure for that reluctant reader, to engage, entertain, and educate.
The young reader gets so caught up in the hilarious illustrations and the absorbing, fascinating text, that he doesn't even realize he's reading and learning effortlessly. And loving it.

I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages. Check out Extreme Animals also, another of the Nicola Davies gems.

My three boy's ( 10,11,14) are no eager readers. So I'm in constant search for the unusual, different. We'll this is one of those booklets not to much to read and it is full of amazing information we never had thought about it,but worthy to know.

I got so tired of my 5 year old saying "poop". And giggling with her friends about "poop".

Then I found this book at the library. It was fun and educational.... did I mention fun? Anyway, now that my little one knows all about animals and poop... she finds the science of poop so interesting... that the giggling about poop is gone! (For now at least!)

The book is really intersting and engaging. I loved it too!

As did my Mom... who teaches 5th grade... she had me buy the book for school!

I bought this for a friend's child who is on a higher reading level than most his age, he LOVES this book! It's so interesting! This child particularly loves science in general and is a great book who's mind is like a sponge. Other books this child loves are Magic School bus and anything that has to do with Marine life.