Review by Booklist Review
Ellie, a skin cell located on a Boston terrier's posterior, introduces readers to these organism building blocks. She defines terms, clarifies sizes, and discusses several specialized cell types (including nerve, blood, muscle, bone, and gametes) as well as detailing a few unicellular organisms. Simple, kid-friendly text is displayed in a variety of large typefaces and bold colors that contrast nicely with flowy backgrounds that suggest intracellular fluids. Fisher is careful to cite (and footnote) her sources, particularly where large numbers are involved. Additionally, she uses correct terminology (mitochondria, ribosomes, nucleus, mitosis), providing succinct definitions, illustrations, and in-text pronunciations for each. A center spread featuring a close-up depiction of cell with labeled organelles is particularly apt, and while it presents a fair amount of detail, humorous sidebars keep the tone light. Mitosis is also discussed, although not in great detail. Appended with additional information, jokes, and resources, this attractive offering fills a void for young readers just beginning to learn about the microscopic world around them.--Kay Weisman Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--Congratulations! You are the owner of 37 trillion high-performing cells (give or take a few trillion), just like every other human being. This nonfiction picture book takes readers on an entertaining, informative journey, guided by Ellie the cell, who lives on a dog's gluteus maximus. Readers learn that cells are itty-bitty building blocks that work together to make dogs, cats, humans, and every other living thing. Cells look different because they have different jobs, like making bones, blood, or babies. Cells can even make new cells to help grow and repair bodies. Fisher makes the scientific text accessible and easy to understand, with gorgeous images of cells. Some are magnified up to 1,500 times under a microscope and fly off the pages in vibrant colors and patterns. VERDICT A must for all libraries, this work proves that science can be fun.--Elizabeth Blake, Fields Corner Library, Dorchester, MA
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A stylish introduction to the structures and functions of cells, starting on "the derrire of a Boston terrier."Congratulating readers on being the owners of "37 trillion high-performance cells," canine skin cell Ellie defines them as the difference between living and nonliving things. She then goes on to explain that each "itty-bitty building block" from red blood cell to sperm and egg has one or more jobs, how mitochondria and other organelles contribute to the effort, and (with help from a "cellfie") how cells make more cells. Fisher incorporates text large and small in hand-lettered styles into swirling, exuberant painted images that more often suggest rather than clinically depict various sorts of cells and creatures made up of them; they definitely capture the breezy vein of the cellular tour, however. Ellie doesn't get to a few thingsmeiosis, for instance, or virusesbut she covers considerable territoryand once she's done ("I gotta split!"), the author finishes off with jokes, a source note for the "37 trillion" claim, and leads to more-detailed surveys of the topic.A lively once-over that gets further beneath the skin of its subject than first glances might suggest. (Informational picture book. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
