Oh, Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty

I bought this for my classroom bookshelf. I teach 7th grade science and my kids fight with each other to read it!

I have been reading bits and pieces of this book out loud at bedtime to my 9yo daughter for months. She got it for a present at Christmas last year (from her Aunt who was an elementary school teacher and expert on children's literature) and didn't pick it up right away. But once she started reading it, it has been an ongoing touchstone. Some of it is quite gross and I must admit it turns my stomach at times, but it has a a lot of straight forward explanations of how our bodies work and how other things in the world that people her age (and older) are fascinated with. Now as to why it is a bedtime favorite - that I don't really understand or spend much time thinking about. Except for the fact that despite the quality of this book I am simply going to have to find something new to read soon.

This is such a great book. It has information on all "gross" topics. In it, there is everything from maggots to vomit. I think this book would be great for all 7-12 year olds. I especially like the "information boxes". The book has good illustrations also. Most of them are comical, but a few are scientific. Joy Masoff is a good writer that specializes in history books. Also, this would be a great find for a teacher or science teacher because all the things in this book is true science! There is nothing inapropriate in this book. The thing that I like about this book is that it is funny, yet educational at the same times. That is very difficult to find in a book now. The thing that I disliked most in this book is NOTHING! The bottom line is, THIS IS A MUST READ!

I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas. I have yet to wrap it because I am so interested in reading it! This is definitely a pretty disgusting book from a mom's point of view but I know my son will absolutely love it! Some of the illustrations are so gross they made me laugh out loud. There is a lot of scientific information hidden in this humorous encyclopedia. I have learned a lot already and I am only up to C. This book is a "must have" for any pre-teen or teenager, especially boys who are fascinated by disgusting things. I can't wait for another book by this author! Maybe social studies could be this humorous as well.

I bought this for my kid, no I didn't, she's only 3, I b ought it for me and she can have it when she gets older. And I'm buying it for two of my friend's kids. I've always been fascinated with gross stuff like snot, pus, poop, gross foods, etc., and so are most kids. And by the way, my kid, and the two kids I'm buying this for, are girls. The facts are there, it's fun to read, and it might even get the kids to read more and practice good hygiene while they're at it (microscopic photos of worms and such may answer a few questions like "why do I have to wash my hands all the time?" Excellent.