Isabel Thomas

Complete with a magnifying glass to expand the scope of this tour of the systems of the human body, this is a fun book of answers to many of the questions one might have. As a retired nurse and mother of a slew of growing people and relative to many with questions they'd rather read instead of asking, I HIGHLY recommend it!
The illustrations by Damien Weighill are fun, simple, brilliantly colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, church library, health care office, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions via NetGalley. Thank you!… (more)

The author is a science writer who, as mentioned in the book jacket, is also a children's author shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize, the Association for Science Education Book of the Year, and the blue Peter Book Award. I've not heard of these awards, and will be sure to research more about them.

This well-written, and lovingly illustrated book is the story of a mother fox who seeks food for her three baby cubs. As the months progress, she teaches them how to hunt for food and shelter. Sadly, one rainy night she is killed by a car hitting her. As her body flies through the air and lands on the ground, the author teaches that now all is not lost. As the seasons turn and fallen leaves decay, the body of the fox is used for the earth by planes, air, and various birds and bugs. Now, new life feeds and grows.

As the author teaches, "every particle that once was fox finds a new place in the world." And, life is not lost, death is not the end, but a new beginning.

Used as a teaching tool, at the end of the story, the author writes in more detail about what happens when something dies. Reinforcing the fact that Death is not just an end, but in reality it is a brand new beginning, this book might be used for a child who lost a beloved pet and/or loved one.

Yet another example of how illustrated books teach lessons through text and illustrations. I highly recommend this one!

Four Stars… (more)