December 1, 2024
Gr 3-7-An eye-catching title that delivers on its premise of grossology and not much else. Branzei's latest in the series promises even more icky and intriguing facts about all things gross. Topics covered include poop, tapeworms, vomit, leeches, and more. Bright colors and cartoony images complement a consistent format: recto, a bubble-lettered topic header followed by three to four facts ranging in specificity, accompanied by a relevant, tongue-in-cheek illustration on the verso side. Visually, the book is ideal for bursts of "ew!" entertainment with depictions of goopy body fluids, wide-eyed characters, and poop piles galore. However, inconsistencies and clunky language hinder full enjoyment of the text. The lack of consistency around the facts (some include details, others feel anecdotal with phrasing like "some guy," and others read more as general health advice) with no citations or back matter means eager readers have no easy way to research or verify the book's claims. The topics covered seem unbalanced, with many pages dedicated to the fecal behavior of animals, but large topics like "Mummies" and the digestive system are quickly swept over. The continued use of jokey euphemisms like "dookie" may be humorous to some and off-putting to others. Some terms seem infantile to the point of being more crass than their medical counterparts (crappers, poo poo hole) and may benefit from adult assessment of language propriety before handing to readers. VERDICT An attractively designed fact book that stumbles in its execution; purchase only where the series is popular.-Ashleigh Williams
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