Review by Booklist Review
As a natural byproduct of her Bug Butts (2009), Cusick drops compact pellets of general scientific information about the appearance, composition, and uses of poop around lots of big color photos and microphotos of animals and animal waste. Her disquisition on dung won't sit atop the pile of similar outpourings, however, because a fuzzy claim that pinworms propagate via eggs that travel from the anus to the mouth of the same host (instead of a new host) joins a disingenuous refusal to include certain synonyms in a glossary because they will make adult eyebrows go up and get you in trouble, and a later discussion of poop's use in self-defense that contains a clumsily phrased invitation to check another page to learn more about animals that do this behavior. Still, the topic is endlessly fascinating to some, and emerging coprologists will enjoy sitting down with this digestible survey.--Peters, John Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this extensive and wide-ranging guide to animal feces, Cusick discusses types of animal droppings, terminology, the logistics of defecation for aquatic species, the ways in which poop contributes to ecosystems and food chains, how animals communicate using feces, and more. The overall design is a bit cluttered and dated-looking: photographs depict numerous animals-including opossums, sloths, penguins, and the viceroy and white admiral caterpillars (which camouflage themselves as bird droppings)-and their waste products, while sidebars explain unusual uses for poop, such as a "Geisha facial" made from nightingale feces. An interview with a veterinarian and ideas for poop-related learning activities (a scavenger hunt for worm castings, anyone?) urge readers to explore the science behind the giggle-inducing topic. Ages 7-11. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-With its glossy full-color illustrations and bubbly conspiratorial tone (that always seems to be saying, "Isn't poo icky? Don't tell the grownups!"), this loosely organized collection of scatological facts will appeal to the gross-out instincts of young readers. The pleasing graphic design and the scattering of items on each page give the book a hyperlinked feel; unfortunately, that also means lost opportunities for connections and context, and more complicated concepts going unexplained. Some attempts are made to provide cross-references to other items in the book; however that space might have been better used to clarify the text instead. Topics covered include digestive systems of various animals, parasites, animals that eat feces, and bathroom habits. Back matter includes a guide to identify types of animal feces, a "poo interview" with a veterinarian, activity ideas, a glossary and reading list (adults may be taken aback to find Matt Pagett's What Shat That? among the titles recommended), a subject index, and an index by organism.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
From synonyms for feces to explanations of coprophagia (eating feces) to dangers from and uses for poop, this volume is enthusiastic about the subject, as the overuse of exclamation marks attests. Cusick directly addresses the yuck factor first and then presents an accessible, colloquial coverage of the subject, often using Q-&-A formats and employing lots of captioned photos. Reading list. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
(Nonfiction. 7-11)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
