Information Graphics: Human Body

Information Graphics

by Peter Grundy, Simon Rogers

The second in a visually stunning series, Information Graphics: Human Body shows just how interesting and humorous scientific information can be. Complex facts about the human body are reinterpreted as stylish infographics that astonish, amuse, and inform. Researched by the Guardian’s Datablog expert and designed by the father of infographics, Peter Grundy, this is a book of the highest pedigree.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Science

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Peter Grundy studied at the Royal College of Art. His clients include Shell Oil, Moet & Chandon, Royal Mail, the Guardian G2, The Red Bull F1 team, and Volkswagen.

Reviews

[Debi Cates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just added this book in my Donate to Little Free Library box. I tried to get the Littles interested in taking this to read at home with their mom, but it was a "nah" from them.

It could, though, be the just right book for many kids, I'm sure.

It has lots of numerical information—how much snot does a body make a day, for example—but isn't focused on the "gross" approach that some kid's books take on the subject of the human body. I also liked how it would, here and there, compare certain human statistic to that of other mamals, like the paltry 15 million human olfactory receptors compared to a dog's 220 million, or even a rabbit's 100 million.

The stylized and pure graphical approach works both for and against it. I think some kids would find following and deciphering graphics would be interesting. Others might find it an obstacle.

I was just above lukewarm about it myself, although it is a very nicely done publication with tabs for the sections even.

I'm working through my kid's books library that I had been collecting to read with my Littles (granddaughters ages 7 and 9). They will be moving out of Texas at the end of summer. Sad, right? I know. It's going to be tough times for me, but it's the right move for their family and the girls' future. For anyone considering a move to Texas, note it is transforming right now. Beware of the new slew of legislation that will adversely affect children, women, all levels of education, immigrants...and books!

Consider: Will these new restrictions be the right place for you and your family?

[Sushie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping this one might be a strong contender in my quest for gender-affirming kid's body books what with its colorful graphic illustrations and fun focus on facts, but alas. The second section on reproduction just comes right out and labels the figure with a penis as a man and the figure with a vulva as a woman. Not even trying.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off strong but halfway through becomes very text heavy. The illustrations are cool but don’t come across as “true” infographics, and later in the book, they’re more sparse and chaotic/confusing. All that aside, it does present info about the human body in a fun colorful way.

[Vayda Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool book made up of info graphics about the human body. Really interesting but not really a children's book by any means.

[Literary Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright and wonderful to look at. Full of smartly worded facts. The only thing that gave me a moment's pause is the seeming conservative bias (nearly every section illuminated how a fetus's organs developed in utero as well as how a child and adult body works).

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmygosh. I loved this book. It is a great visual way to explain the human body in a basic, fun way for kids AND adults. LOVED it.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent graphics and basic but key information regarding various aspects of how the human body functions. Great book for 6-9 year old children.