Your body battles a cold

Gr 3–5—The body's immune system has never looked like this before with plasma cells using sling shots to fire antibodies into viruses, platelets riding inner tubes down a stream of blood, and viruses multiplying in a "Germco" factory. Each title introduces five or six defense cells, disguised as superheroes protecting the body from adversarial viruses (unspecified in Skinned Knee, rotavirus in Stomachache, and rhinovirus in Cold). The normal body functions are introduced before focusing on what happens when things go awry. The oversize text uses metaphors that readers will understand, such as comparing the stomach to a "food processor" or a macrophage to a "garbage truck." The physical process of vomiting is explained and illustrated in Stomachache, while diarrhea is described less graphically. Sanitary precautions are mentioned where appropriate. Most of the vivid, double-page illustrations include a pertinent, labeled micrograph, with magnification indicated. Contrasting insets offer more detailed information. The books can be read following only the general texts, but the micrographs will fascinate and compel young readers to read everything.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI [Page 121]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Color illustrations and photomicrographs show what happens when a human body is attacked by a cold virus.