You Just Can’t Help It!
Your Guide to the Wild and Wacky World of Human Behavior
by Jeff Szpirglas, illustrated by Josh Holinaty
Maple Tree Press, 2011
ISBN 978-1-926818-08-5
$12.95, 64 pp, index, ages 9 – 12
www.owlkids.com
Do you wonder why you can’t help stop yourself from yawning? Or why the hair on your neck stands up when you are scared? Or (the kids are going to love this) did you know that there is an Australian study that used blended poo to discover if new moms prefer the odour of their own babies’ diapers over those of other kids? This is just a teaser, to give an idea of the scope and the feel for this unconventional look at human biology. It explores how the senses function, how emotions affect our physical bodies, how we communicate, and how we interact with other humans. Each topic is then presented on a two-page spread, magazine style. There are lots of coloured boxes with short text in a variety of fonts. The illustrations are a mix of photographs, cartooning and diagrams. There is an index to help you find your favourite topic.
This presentation of information encourages questioning and fact-finding which can lead to interesting projects. In fact, there is a suggested project for each chapter.
Review by Mary Moroska.
This review is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Sept/Oct 2011 issue.
