Blood and Guts - How Our Body Works

I am on a David Macaulay kick. I enjoy his humor as he presents essential information on how our bodies work. His book, The Way We Work, is co-authored by Richard Walker. I used this book with my son this past year as his anatomy class for high school. The material is simple enough for upper elementary, yet able to be used(with some supplementation) for high school students.

According to GeekDad, "Macaulay spent 6 years laboring on this book, four of them just learning anatomy through means that included attending operations and dissecting corpses."(quoted from Home Biology) This is a writer who is serious about his research! And it shows in his presentation of the material. The text is engaging and draws you in while teaching you anatomy in an interesting fashion.

The Way We Work contains 7 chapters on the different systems of the body. He begins with the cell as that is the building block of our bodies. He continues on through the respiratory and circulatory, the alimentary, the nervous, the immune, the excretory, and the reproductive systems. Each chapter begins with an introduction intended to lead you on a journey through each bodily system. The illustrations are accurate, yet not too graphic(as in the reproductive section). All are tastefully done. The information is given in short doses - two page spreads - so it is easier for use with younger students. 

Did you know that the way our bodies exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide is energy efficient?  It is economical because no energy is used. This two page spread from the book explains the process.(image copied from Home Biology) Chapter 2 is all about the respiratory system where Macaulay uses illustrations like roller coasters, swimming pools and dancing skeletons to keep your interest. 

So whether you home school or have a child or grandchild who is interested in how our body works, go straight to your local brick and mortar book store to get a hold of this book. Or maybe you always wondered how a cell is like a tent, or how the spinal cord relays messages to and from our brain, then get a copy for yourself. You will enjoy it and maybe learn something new.

See you next month.