A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu, and You

Gr 2-4--Expanding considerably on the titular topics, the creators offer sweeping graphic surveys of the human body from brain to (especially) butt, assorted members of the animal and plant kingdoms, technological marvels, and even select geophysical processes. In cartoon panels with occasional breaks for a "bigger picture," dozens of animals, items, or organs mug or smile while describing their features and functions in a breezy style reminiscent of the "Basher Science" series: "Pleased to meet you! I'm a male dung beetle, and I'm just rolling with it." If the level of detail can't compare to more narrowly focused entries in the "Science Comics" series or (the gold standard) Maris Wicks's Human Body Theater, readers will still come away knowing that their eyes won't pop out no matter how hard they sneeze, the difference between "macrophage" and "mucophage," and why LEDs are more eco-friendly than incandescent bulbs. VERDICT Fresh, funny, unusually broad if not deep--tailor-made for STEM-centric browsing.--John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York