Itch!: Everything You Didn't Want to Know About What Makes You Scratch – A Funny Science Book About Human Anatomy, Creepy Bugs, and Irritating Plants for Kids

by Anita Sanchez, Gilbert Ford (Illustrator)

Everybody gets itchy, and every kid will love this title that scratches the itch to know more and about the history, anatomy, botany, biology behind it. Perfect for fans of Grossology books looking for something more substantive and dynamic. 

You can feel it coming on—that terrible, tortuous ITCH. As irritating as an itch is, it is also your body’s way of sending you a message you can’t miss, like you’ve brushed up against poison ivy or lice have taken up residence in your hair. None of which you’d know without that telltale itch!

And there are so many things that make us itch—from fungus to fleas, mosquitoes to nettles, poison ivy to tarantulas! 

Combining history, anatomy, laugh-out-loud illustrations, and even tips to avoid—and soothe—the itch, Anita Sanchez and Gilbert Ford take readers on an intriguing (and sometimes disgusting) look into what makes you scratch.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Childrens, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Nature

80 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2018

Reviews

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Glance at the skin on the back of your hand. Doesn't look like there's much going on there. But in one square inch of skin, there are about 500 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, and 1,000 nerve endings. These nerves are incredibly sensitive: they let you feel a snowflake, a warm breeze--or a mosquito bite." p. 4

Sanchez knows her readers and facilitates a smooth conversation throughout the book. Ford's illustrations are playful, sometimes incorporating diagrams to explain a concept further. Check out his illustration of the three layers of skin - "a triple-decker sandwich" on page 2. I felt myself responding to both the writing and the illustrations by scratching my head and my arms!

Each chapter has a clear main idea - some insects are preying on you, some insects and other animals are just warning you, some plants are just defending themselves, etc. Sanchez incorporates historical anecdotes and high-interest scientific details about each plant and animal discussed. She also explains natural remedies for soothing different types of itches--there's a clear theme of "non-toxic" is better.

The layout and design is engaging with sidebars and plenty of space and so forth. There might be a bit of confusion, for some readers, on how to navigate. Some readers might need to know that the sidebars always involve "tacks" --they look like a piece of paper tacked to the wall. Otherwise - if text is in what looks like a photo frame or not - it all is part of the primary text. NOT A DEAL BREAKER ;)

I'd book talk this with intermediate and middle school readers and leave on a shelf to be grabbed up. SUGGESTION FOR BOOK TALKING? Read aloud the first page from Chapter 5 Mosquito! Why They Love to Bit Us--while you project the illustration. Sanchez expertly draws the reader in and Ford's illustration of the mosquito is charming and alarming (and don't miss the look on the moon's face in the background).

This duo has a new book out that I'm looking forward to reading - Rotten! Vultures, Beetles, Slime and Nature's Other Decomposers.

[Kyra Nay · Rating 3 out of 5]

From plants to fungus to animals, Sanchez explores some of the things that make us itch, combining human anatomy, history, and botany. Gilbert Ford’s exaggerated illustrations add humor to the text (e.g. a flea wearing athletic socks or bedbugs in a buffet line), although some child readers might be frustrated by their representational, rather than literal nature. Some of the transitions were abrupt or confusing and some of the illustrations were more distracting than helpful. But this is perfect for readers who delight in gross topics, especially about the human body. Heads up – do not attempt to read this if you have bug bites, a rash, or a scratchy sweater. It will drive you crazy.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and comprehensive look at the many things that make us itch from prickly pear cactus to lice to fungus. Sanchez explains the how, the why and and also ways to relieve those itchy feelings. Comic style illustrations and a breezy tone add fun to the topic.

Kids will love this!

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book about itching and scratching and all the factors that cause it. The layout is engaging, fun and well illustrated. The target audience is upper elementary and middle schoolers.

[Jaimme Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational; very itchy. 4 stars because of the repeated phrase “millions of years”.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why do bugs and plants and other stuff make us itch? Because they are trying to protect themselves or we just happen to be allergic to them. It's a quick read with some great text features about how to treat your itchy self. Although just typing it now is making me itchy--I don't know how the author managed to write the book without soaking in an oatmeal bath. The book is illustrated by Gilbert Ford, with some realistic illustrations but a lot of interpretation of the bugs and animals discussed, turning them into cowboys or fancy ladies who just happen to be mosquitoes. Definitely a bit of a whimsical exploration in pictures, though the text is straightforward non-fiction.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well laid out, colorful. It was different than I expected. The first two pages talk about why you feel itchy; the rest of the book looks at specific things that make people itchy (bedbugs, mosquitoes, poison ivy, etc.), how to avoid the itch from those things, and how to soothe those itches. Useful information, didn't take a long time to read.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch for my review in SLC!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative text about why we itch. From bug bites to fungus to parasites, the author explains the science behind this.

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about all things itchy!

[Maria Caplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts...long text

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating! I learned way more than I ever thought I wanted to know about things that make me itch. I loved the inclusion of non-toxic options for dealing with itchy stuff.

[Brenda Kahn]

Terrific high-interest information book about everything that makes us itch!

[Kathy Mathey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting information told in a kid-friendly way...

[Torie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is very fun,and very interactive . I love this book i think its great book to read to first graders

[IT Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, but nonfiction doesn’t circulate so I won’t purchase. I learned some interesting facts.

[Amber Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an engaging and informative book! I will definitely be using this as a mentor text for my kiddos.

[Victoria Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprised it didn’t make me more itchy.

[Theresa Rottinghaus]

Fun way of learning about things that make you itch.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic info. Liked the info on counterirritants.

[Shayla Giuliani · Rating 4 out of 5]

You will itch when you read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband read this aloud to me over several days while I folded laundry. The pictures were great, we learned so much, and I loved the section at the end when the author explains why she wrote the book.

I was also reminded of why I get bit by mosquitoes more than anyone else I know (I already knew, but it was cool to read about it again). And the minty freshness hack is similar to what my dermatologist had me to, which is making a salve with water and salt and putting bandaids over it. It pulls the itching out of the bites. I've had as many as 29 once. I had to use also benadryl that time.

We also use a homemade recipe for bug repellent with lavender, mint, and vanilla boiled and cooled and strained, with witch hazel. It's amazing and works so well!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books off loads of information, with good pictures, about the experience of itching & what makes us itch.

[Maurice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute artwork. Great information.

[Alejandro De · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disturbing
informational about things that make you itch
great illustrations but some are nasty

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info. Weird, high interest topic. Do you need it? Probably not, but fun to put on a summer reading list.

[CCPL Buzz]

KN