Animal Grossapedia

by Melissa Stewart

Think all animals are cute and cuddly? Read this book to discover just how disgusting they can really be!

There are plenty of books out there that focus on "gross" substances in the human body, but many animals use these same substances in ways that will surprise and fascinate kids! Did you know that Komodo dragons use their saliva to poison their prey, but mice use their saliva to heal their wounds? Could you guess that vomit is used by the sea cucumber to startle enemies and also by bees to make honey? Young readers will walk away grossed out and with an understanding of how different animals use spit, vomit, slime, poop, urine, and blood to survive.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"

Reviews

[Jim Erekson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearl (8) was all over this book. She read it cover to cover in one sitting, and was walking around the house for days afterward spouting the more memorable facts. For example, that camels fight by throwing up on each other. This made for some interesting family fights over the next two days...

Back matter: Glossary, index, and additional list of books to find out more.

All of these facts could be found independently, but collecting the grossness all in one place was a great fusion move on the traditional animal menagerie book. Grossness is subjective, and some of these things aren't really a gross-out (sapsuckers), but they all deal with bodily functions.

What is the role of sources in a book like this? We would expect factual accuracy and good research, but there's not much here to demand any serious knowledge of science. And would there need to be sources on each double page spread? This is the same question I have for the DK Eyewitness series--each page turn may be a new chapter with new sources.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a vibrant book, with a layout similar to "Ranger Rick" magazine, that will help get boys and reluctant readers especially interested in the natural world. The only complaint I have is that occasionally the animals pictured were not of the same species or subspecies named in the article.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of interesting, gross, amazing, surprising information on how animals of all kinds use spit, vomit, slime, feces, urine, and blood in different ways for their survival.

CONTENTS - each animal featured gets 1 page, but usually 2 pages, in full colour:
Gross or Great?; Dung Beetles; Koalas; African Bush Elephants; Giant Pandas; Cottontail Rabbits; Burrowing Owls; Leafcutter Ants; Wolverines; Fieldfares; Hippopotamuses; Siberian Chipmunks; Desert Tortoises; Goats; American Lobsters; Turkey Vultures; Gray Wolves; Packrats; Hagfish; Red-eyed Tree Frogs; Garden Snails; Banana Slugs; Latia Limpets; Parrotfish; Glowworms; Panther; Chameleons; Earthworms; Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs; House Cats; House Mice; Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers; Cattle; Giraffes; Bald-faced Hornets; Spittlebugs; Short-tailed Shrews; Komodo Dragons; Giant Water Bugs; Pigs; Dogs; Fennec Foxes; Vampire Bats; Vampire Finches; Madrilenial Butterflies; Mosquitoes; Garden Spiders; Elephant Seals; Horned Lizards; Camels; Grasshoppers; Sea Cucumbers; Frogs; Giant Petrels; Houseflies; Jackals; Penguins; Owls; White-tailed Deer; Honeybees.
All this fascinating information is followed by Words to Know, Find Out More, and an Index.

[Mackenzie Beals · Rating 4 out of 5]

This NSTA award-winning book gives readers information on how 58 different animals use snot, poop, and pee for survival. What we might see as gross, rather are great advantages for some animals. This is a fascinating book that many students will enjoy reading. There is one animal per page with detailed pictures and easy to understand information.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a book that informs, makes you laugh and yes, say "Ewww" out loud, this is the book for you. Animal Grossapedia will change the way you look at rabbits, goats, deer and your next spoonful of honey.

My full review:http://bit.ly/Wwk2BC

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My oldest loved this! She got it for her birthday and devoured it quickly.
You can read what she thought here: http://www.bendingthespine.blogspot.c...

[Lauren Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely disgusting but such an interesting book to read. Kids of any age group will enjoy this one. It teaches them different facts about animals and the different ways they use spit and other bodily fluids. It was humorous and gross all at the same time.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves this book very intresting i was stunned to hear how bees make honey

[Lavabearian (Jessica) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't feel like this is great. There isn't anything about this book that makes it appealing to me. A NO vote.

[Brittney]

Super awesome book but everything has something to do with poop but it is awesome