The ten-year-old was searching for a new book to read and asked for advice. He said "No nonfiction books. I don't like nonfiction books."
No nonfiction. No way! He was pretty adamant. So... we scanned the display shelves, but nothing seemed quite right.
I spotted this little gem: Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks and casually included the fact that it is nonfiction. But (and this was a big but) I explained that it was in a graphic novel. Knowing how much he enjoyed graphic novels, I thought there was a chance he might reconsider and foray into Wick's comic.
The cover attracted his interest. He was willing to actually touch it. (That's a start.) The images grabbed his attention and he began to read, pausing to ask for help with a few words. "How do you say G-O-L-G-I?" "What about C-O-C-C-Y-X?"
A few days later I caught up with him and asked what he thought of the book.
The verdict: He loved it!
He especially enjoyed watching the skeleton gradually become a complete person with the addition of each body system.
He decided to write a book review for his teacher. It is interesting to note that he chose to focus his report on the reproductive system. I wondered if this was because reproduction is not discussed in much detail in the elementary school classroom. Maybe he thought the teacher could use some information.
He did have a question for the author. He noted that in the chapter on the digestive system that Wicks never explained about "butterflies in the stomach". He wished that the author had clarified stomach butterflies for him.
No nonfiction. No way! He was pretty adamant. So... we scanned the display shelves, but nothing seemed quite right.
I spotted this little gem: Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks and casually included the fact that it is nonfiction. But (and this was a big but) I explained that it was in a graphic novel. Knowing how much he enjoyed graphic novels, I thought there was a chance he might reconsider and foray into Wick's comic.
The cover attracted his interest. He was willing to actually touch it. (That's a start.) The images grabbed his attention and he began to read, pausing to ask for help with a few words. "How do you say G-O-L-G-I?" "What about C-O-C-C-Y-X?"
A few days later I caught up with him and asked what he thought of the book.
The verdict: He loved it!
He especially enjoyed watching the skeleton gradually become a complete person with the addition of each body system.
He decided to write a book review for his teacher. It is interesting to note that he chose to focus his report on the reproductive system. I wondered if this was because reproduction is not discussed in much detail in the elementary school classroom. Maybe he thought the teacher could use some information.
He did have a question for the author. He noted that in the chapter on the digestive system that Wicks never explained about "butterflies in the stomach". He wished that the author had clarified stomach butterflies for him.
Finally, I mentioned that Ms Wicks will have a new book in this science comics series. He expressed concern. He didn't see how she could ever duplicate the clever conceit of Human Body Theater with Coral Reefs.
So - there you have it Ms Wicks: Questions from a ten-year-old who doesn't ever ever read nonfiction.
He still wants to know:
Exactly what are stomach butterflies? How will you ever manage to create another book about coral reefs that will be as fantastic as the Human Body Theater?
Inquiring minds want to know...
So - there you have it Ms Wicks: Questions from a ten-year-old who doesn't ever ever read nonfiction.
He still wants to know:
Exactly what are stomach butterflies? How will you ever manage to create another book about coral reefs that will be as fantastic as the Human Body Theater?
Inquiring minds want to know...
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