Dung for Dinner: A Stomach-Churning Look at the Animal Poop, Pee, Vomit, and Secretions that People Have Eaten

by Christine Virnig, Korwin Briggs (Illustrator)

Discover the stomach-churning truth about the animal poop, pee, vomit, and secretions that humans have eaten throughout history―and sometimes still do―in Christine Virnig's laugh-out-loud middle-grade nonfiction debut. Dung for Dinner is illustrated by Korwin Briggs.

From Roman charioteers scarfing wild boar dung to astronauts guzzling their own pee to today's kids spreading insect vomit on their toast, this humorous compendium is chock-full of history, science, and fascinatingly gross facts. Bug secretions coating your candy corn? Rodent poop in your popcorn? Physicians tasting their patients' pee? It’s deliciously disgusting!

*SCBWI Golden Kite Award Finalist for Older Nonfiction

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Middle Grade, Childrens

176 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 2020

About the author

Christine Virnig is a fan of books, candy, spooky stories, poop jokes, and coffee… in no particular order. As a former physician, Christine now spends her days writing books, reading books, and working at a library where she is surrounded by books.

Christine lives in southern Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, a ridiculous number of dust bunnies, and one incredibly lazy cat. You can visit her on the web at christinevirnig.com.

Reviews

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

TIL Romans whitened their teeth with stale pee and that astronaut poop is shot back to earth in canisters that burn up in the atmosphere and look like shooting stars.

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's nonfiction book authored by a Madison, WI pediatrian is about the poop, pee, vomit, and secretions that people have and continue to eat. This book is geared toward 8-10 year olds who not only love poop and fart jokes but actually want to learn about poop. From ancient times to now and how animal poop and human poop have thought to have medicinal purposes, and how fecal transplants are an actual treatment to deal with a dangerous digestive bacteria. Also, how honey is basically bee vomit. Dr. Virnig does what has become a publishing standard in presenting information to young readers. The information has to be presented in a fun, silly, and even gross way. The book is also illustrated in cartoon form, but I wish they were not done in sepia tones which makes them less eye-catching, but fits with the book's theme. There are also jokes at the end of each section. The book is filled with info boxes through with bite sized facts.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kid doesn’t love reading or taking about poop, pee and vomit?! In this book they, along with adults, learn about how those nasty excrements have been used throughout history in medicine. There might even be some surprises about what is still a part of our modern life!! Laugh out loud while learning

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a book to suit readers who delight in the disgusting? Then you need a copy of this exploration into every revolting thing people have put into their mouths over the centuries. Whether it is a discussion of how doctors used to taste bodily secretions (of all sorts) to diagnose illnesses, or the latest craze of fecal transplants to help restore gut health - there are no details spared.

Did you know that all water on the space station is recycled? And they do mean ALL. Or maybe you had heard that the nursery rhyme "Ring Around the Rosie" was actually about the Black Death? Nope, historians disagree. But you can learn more about the plague or the tie between poop and coffee within these pages.

Not for the faint of heart, and not to read or discuss at the dinner table - but this could be the perfect book for a reluctant reader who is fascinated by the gross and ugly side of life. Even the chapter headings lure the curious in with phrases such as, "The Odoriferous Beaver Butt." Doesn't that make you want to find out more? If so ,it went on sale July 21, so you won't have to wait to get a copy.

I read an ebook provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

During World War II, the German soldiers stationed in North Africa were getting deathly sick with dysentery. They noticed that the local Bedouins seemed to get over it quickly. After careful observation, they learned that the Bedouins cured this debilitating intestinal infection—by eating warm, fresh camel poop.

You will find this and countless other gross, disgusting, disturbing examples of how people have used poop and pee in all kinds of ways including in perfumes. You will also learn about Greek mythology, ancient Egypt, and animal biology.

Christine Virnig is a pediatric allergist and her love of science and medicine (especially ancient bad medicine) shines through. She writes these stories as if she’s standing in front of a class of fifth graders trying to get them to laugh, then gag, then laugh again. Every chapter ends with an amazingly corny joke, the kind that will be sure to make you groan. If I was a kid, I’d want her to be my doctor.

I highly recommend Dung for Dinner to readers eight and up. This is gross science at its best. Strong stomachs recommended.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a pediatric physician who has retained her fascination with all things poop related, this entertaining book goes behind (no pun intended) the scenes to take a look at all the gross things that make their way into our food. With short chapters, many interesting sidebars, corny riddles and poop-colored font, this is a poop scholar’s dream. And with a table of contents, author’s note, bibliography and index, teachers will accept their students’ reported findings on the subject. Historical uses of dung and pee, current day poop transplants, how astronauts recycle their urine, and all of the bug and hair particles allowed in food products are just a few of the topics covered. Virnig writes with humor and with a barely concealed fascination with the science of these topics, so I think kids will be engaged. The sepia colored illustrations help keep the tone light.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully education, and humorous way to learn about the wonders of nature and history.
The first part, Health and Medicine, mostly discusses the broad range of uses the ancient, and modern, world has for dung and urine. It is surprisingly common throughout the world.
The second part, Your Lunch Box, introduces many of the foods that derive from, perhaps, surprising origins. The detail offered for honey is quite informative. The more subtle origins of confectioner's glaze, perfume ingredients, types of coffee, and cheese are enlightening and prove that humans eat amazing things-- sometimes best not to think about it.

[Carin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any kids in your life who like gross stuff, here's the perfect book for them! They'll learn interesting and fascinating things and not even realize it. Not useful things--but it's still learning. It's especially great for reluctant readers. Do you want to know why the Egyptians ate poop? All the many times pee has been used as something useful? Why people might eat other super gross things from your body. Yuck. But can't put it down. NOT for reading at or near mealtime.

[Arma · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children told me I needed to read this book, so I did. I can definitely see the appeal to the middle grade age group, but even as an adult, I learned a couple of new things. I was impressed that the author, a doctor, took the time to do all of the research and write the book. She is to be commended for a job well-done, especially since she made it so appealing to kids but still snuck in some learning!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very fun interesting read for anyone who is ok with the gross factor. I really enjoyed learned about some gross to me foods that are interestingly all very expensive and some strange historical cures. Like boar poop read the book if you dare if you want to find out more.

[Annie Vihtelic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poo should not be taboo. DUNG balances humor & history, is engaging and packed with gross, interesting facts that kids (& this adult) will want to share. The comics are fire. A fun, educational read without the educational feel.

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students will love this book! Absolutely disgusting, but funny, too!:)

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Sydney Woolsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amusing and informative. I highly suggest for children and adults alike.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nieces love this book and it was a good read for me as well. Lots of neat examples, gross history, sidebars and wonderful illustrations. Highly recommended

[Dylan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly, fascinating, and sometimes legitimately gross, this is a fantastic book for curious folx, kids and adults!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely disgusting yet fascinating. Not for the weak stomach.

[Joanna]

25%

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to share with upper elementary kids.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, disgusting, and endlessly amusing.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting topic, and a well-written book.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With gleeful and mischievous joy, Dr. Christine Virnig takes readers of DUNG FOR DINNER on a wild ride of poop, pee, vomit and secretions used in disgusting and “stomach-churning” — but useful! — ways throughout human history. This repulsive book is grotesquely fun, nauseatingly accessible, and revoltingly perfect for every household.

Full review: https://mutterschwester.wordpress.com...

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So gross! I thought I was going to be sick when reading about the Romans and their urine drinking and pooping habits. I found this to be informative and funny. I liked the jokes at the end of each chapter. This is perfect for kids who can read about a sometimes forbidden topic, learn something, and enjoy the book.