600s: Staying Well: Series Nonfiction on Health and Safety

Health advice can be as simple as “Wash your hands.” But beyond learning how to avoid germs, there are overwhelming health and safety issues facing children and teens. Childhood obesity, the promotion of super-skinny celebrities and models, and cyberbullying are all on the rise. Now more than ever, there is a need for information sources that cover these topics. The following books address these issues, while recognizing how quickly statistics and situations change. The inclusion of Web links, source notes, and activities reinforces the mandate that students must learn how to seek reliable and up-to-date information.

PreS-Gr 1–Similar to the “How to Be Healthy series,” these picture books feature a cast of diverse children, this time having fun as they incorporate safety measures into their lives. What makes this series different from others that cover safety is that, rather than providing illustrated safety tips, the books develop each topic within the framework of a story. Ajay’s birthday gifts include bicycle gear that will protect him, Rico and his family follow fire safety rules when they go camping, and Rani plays computer games supervised by her grandmother (who makes sure the girl never reveals personal information online). These plots carry positive messages that are cautionary rather than alarmist. That feature, combined with engaging illustrations, makes the stories easy to follow and even appropriate for storytime.

K-Gr 2–Story first, discussion after is the premise of these books, and it is successfully executed. Precepts about health and safety are presented through the plot and character development-in Clean, Kurt and Karim hate washing until they visit the zoo and see that even animals keep themselves tidy. Some stories take refreshingly unexpected approaches. In Teeth, instead of a cautionary tale about a child getting cavities, the book describes Marta’s dog losing a tooth from all the dog biscuits she fed him. Gordon pumps up the humor with his illustrations, particularly the dirty or daredevil children whose antics are reminiscent of the “Calvin and Hobbs” cartoon strip. The closing questions and activities offer a number of opportunities for extended (and fun) discourse.

Gr 2-4–Whether describing being bitten by a mosquito, wiping out on the pavement while skating, or playing soccer with a friend who has an asthma attack, Landau’s conversational introductions allow readers to imagine themselves in unfortunate situations. Following the case studies are clear and concise explanations about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of the featured ailments. Photo illustrations are apt and age appropriate and the close-ups of bruises, microscopic ticks, and scabs will grab the attention of kids with a fascination for all things gross. Pervading the books (through pictures of smiling, approachable doctors; fun facts; and hints on how to stay safe) is an overall sense of reassurance that even if something hurts, “all better” is never too far away. Appealing and readable nonfiction.

Gr 1-3–It is a simple enough formula: use large text to describe an ailment like tooth decay, then show a full-color picture of a tooth with a small hole that will get bigger if left untreated. Repeat accordingly for each topic on almost every page. This series masters the basics and simultaneously encourages further learning with sidebars that help readers think concretely about the subject. For instance, after stating the exact measurements of a head louse (3 mm long), the sidebar features a dot of the same size. Other suggestions that help solidify ideas include drinking water with a wide straw and then a narrow one to demonstrate the difference between normal and swollen airways, or squirting a water gun to witness the force of a sneeze. Altogether a pitch-perfect presentation.

PreS-Gr 1–Each volume has an introduction composed of a few brief sentences about how the featured activity is important to overall health. The scenes that follow are from the daily lives of a diverse group of children who show how simple it is to develop good habits and make healthy choices. For example, Juana and Maria walk to school, join sports, and stay active through play. Smaller text boxes on each page provide additional tips and give the books a little more mileage in terms of target audience. The watercolor illustrations of the perpetually smiling children directly match the narratives, letting readers make the correlation between fun and healthy.

Gr 6-8–This series covers issues and behaviors that adversely affect a person’s well-being. Though age appropriate, the books have a touch of sensationalism throughout. A photo of a skeleton hand extinguishing a cigarette, one of a teen passed out holding a liquor bottle, and the description of Krystan first trying marijuana at 10 years old and then becoming a heavy drug user at 16 are some of the attention-grabbing devices. Never mind that there is no further mention of Krystan or whether she is even a real person. Also hit or miss are the “Learning & Innovation Skills,” “21st Century Content,” and “Life & Career Skills” margin notes. While these features encourage further research and critical thinking, they at times fall short in follow-through. For example, one recommends visiting the American Heart Association’s Web site but does not cite its address. These overviews will engage reluctant readers, but there are lamentably few further-reading citations.

Gr 6-9–By focusing on a single issue (and a timely one at that), this series inspires a keen awareness of the complexities of obesity. The books complement one another but can also stand alone. While one will mention, for example, that media has an influence over body image and food choices, another elaborates and clearly defines those responsible. Even when facts and statistics overlap, the books present them within different contexts. Consistent through the series is the deference to and citing of experts, inclusion of current photographs, commitment to balanced viewpoints, and overall teen appeal. At the conclusion of each volume, readers are instructed to access the publisher’s Web site, which has regularly updated links.

Gr 9 Up–Each of these books contains the same foreword, stating that part of the series goal is to present “information on a current topic in a user-friendly style that invites, intrigues, and fosters understanding.” Mission accomplished. The organized, uniform structure includes an opening overview of the disease or disorder, with subsequent chapters divided into three parts: text, quotations from primary sources, and “Facts and Illustrations,” which includes bulleted snippets of information and color photographs and drawings. While the illustrations are helpful access points, their separation from the text can be inconvenient. The firsthand or expert accounts that open chapters and are sprinkled throughout are astutely selected and seamlessly woven into the presentation. These quality sources could be used in a variety of different ways–straight reporting for speech or debate ideas (Anorexia’s discussion of “pro-Ana” Web sites could be used in debates on free speech, for example), or as a springboard for further research.

Gr 5-8-As the exclamation point in every title suggests, this series provides more enthusiastic advice than research guidance. Multi-colored pages, chapter headings in varied fonts, cartoons, and review quizzes give the books a look similar to that of magazines. The end result, while readable and relevant, is heavier on style than on content. The use of fictional characters in hypothetical situations paired with obviously posed pictures can at times belie the serious nature of some of the topics. Expect demand for these books to be spurred more by potential reader interest than homework use.

Gr 9 Up–Magee has a reassuring tone to her writing, affirming that a qualified expert is behind this series. Each book presents summaries within the context of real-world situations (questions to ask physicians, how to navigate supermarket aisles, what to order at a restaurant). This approach results in worthy information and delicious recipes, but other than a brief acknowledgement that some of the diseases may manifest in late adolescence, there are no discernible indicators that teens factor much in the target audience. There are no photographs and diagrams, demonstrating that the series may be best recommended to those who are specifically interested in the disease and are looking for workable lifestyle changes to allay their symptoms.

PODESTO, Martine. Dinosaurs 104p. ISBN 978-0-8368-9213-0. LC 2008012427.
PODESTO, Martine. The Body 102p. ISBN 978-0-8368-9212-3. LC 2008012428.
PODESTO, Martine. Inventions 102p. chart. ISBN 978-0-8368-9214-7. LC 2008012429.
PODESTO, Martine. The Moon 102p. chart. ISBN 978-0-8368-9215-4. LC 2008012380. ea vol: (My Science Notebook). diags. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens 2008. PLB $31.

Gr 4-6–Designed to resemble a notebook with illustrated paper clips, pasting, and tape appearing on most pages, this series offers comprehensive information. Through a series of letters between Professor Brainy and a group of children, various topics are explored. The professor responds to post-it notes, emails, letters, drawings, and notes representing student questions. Queries include “When did dinosaurs appear?” “Why do our feet smell?” “What does the Moon look like?” and “When was ice-cream invented?” The clearly written answers are supplemented by colorful drawings, diagrams, and photographs. Each book offers support for core science curriculums. Similar content can be found in the “Prehistoric Animals,” “Science Answers,” “The Universe,” and the “Inside and Out Guides To…” series (all Heinemann), but these new books should be regarded as first purchases because of their lively presentations. –Cara Moffett, Freelance Reviewer