The Irresistible Lure of the Scatological
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
There is nothing quite so irresistible to a child than the very things they are told not to be interested in, especially if it has to do with the human body. Books that put poop, butts, farts, or snot center stage are guaranteed kid-pleasers. And let’s be honest, grown-ups aren’t exactly immune to the fascination with these less-than-socially acceptable topics. Our June Hot Off the Press list features three fantastic books that are sure to delight curious readers who have a penchant for investigating the grosser side of anatomy.
A Natural History of Bums, by Crab Museum; illustrated by Inga Ziemele (The Quarto Group / Wide Eyed Editions) — Science / Nature, History, Humor, Animals, ages 7-12.
Bum, butt, behind, whatever you call it, the one you’re sitting on right now is the finely tuned result of millions of years of evolution. Fascinating, isn’t it? Get to know the history of your you-know-what with the hilarious guide to evolution, A Natural History of Bums.
Now, don’t be alarmed, but your bum holds a story as old as time itself. From caveman to present day, evolution has shaped this essential body part in remarkable ways. It’s more than just a place to sit – it’s a marvel of adaptation and survival! The humble bum has been created by millions of years of evolution, so surely, it’s time to learn all about it…
Join The Crab Museum and illustrator Inga Ziemele for a hilarious kids’ guide to evolution and the natural history of this noble body part. Get up close and personal with big bums, small bums, stinky bums, glow-in-the-dark bums, jet-engine bums, fossilised bums, and even an animal with 1,000 bums! Along the way, discover the surprising uses animals have found for their bums, and even witness a terrible time in Earth’s history when there were no bums at all. With A Natural History of Bums, you can finally learn the answer to that most important of questions: who has the biggest bum in the world? So, are you sitting comfortably? Yes, you are – because of your bum!
Poops and Farts: The Bottom Line, by Štěpánka Sekaninová; illustrated by Daniel Handák and Miroslava Gomolčáková (Albatros Books) — Mental / Physical Health, Science / Nature, History, Facts / Trivia, ages 7-12.
Dive into the hilarious world of poops and farts in this fully illustrated, comic-style book that explores their role in our lives and nature with humor.
Get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure in Poops and Farts: The Bottom Line, a fully illustrated non-fiction book that takes kids on a wild ride through the smelly side of life. Featuring modern, comic-book-like illustrations, this entertaining exploration covers everything from medieval and modern toilets to arctic and space bathrooms. As readers follow the antics of Poop and Fart, they’ll learn about the anatomy of digestion, explore unusual animal behaviors, and discover unique coffees like civet and elephant. Each page reveals the funny and fascinating truths behind these natural phenomena, ensuring no toilet is left unflushed!
Perfect for curious young minds aged 6-9, this book combines humor with education, making it an ideal choice for reluctant readers and inquisitive kids alike. It breaks down taboos surrounding bodily functions, encouraging open discussions while providing plenty of giggles along the way.
What If You Didn’t Make Snot?, by Emma Young; illustrated by Super Freak (DK) — Science / Nature, Humor, Facts / Trivia, ages 7-12.
Prepare to learn all about the human body, from blood vessels to the brain and nerves to nutrients, in this engaging question-and-answer book.
What If You Didn’t Make Snot? is not your usual science book. Children aged 7-9 will be drawn into each topic with one of 33 amusing questions that are guaranteed to make kids think about anatomy in a whole new way. Author Emma Young explains the answers with humor and plenty of science facts that kids will be racing to share with friends and family.
This human body book for children offers:
- Fun and engaging content by science author Emma Young.
- 33 laugh-out-loud questions with key science facts are woven into the answers.
- A mix of photography and cartoon-style illustrations that bring the questions to life.
- Curriculum-aligned and age-appropriate material about the human body for children.
Children can dip in and out of bite-sized information on each page, filled with attention-grabbing photography and quirky illustrations. Even reluctant readers will find this human body book entertaining, as they find out the answers to the wacky, bizarre, and gross questions.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full June Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident children’s book aficionado, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
