Squirt!: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Blood.

Anne Hutchings is a public-school teacher and librarian in Ajax,
Ontario.

Amusingly titled and consisting of just five short chapters, Squirt! contains a wealth of information. The first two chapters, “River of Life” and “Blood Basics,” explore such topics as ancient beliefs about blood, what blood is made of, what causes blood to clot and scabs to form, blood types, the RH factor, and how the body produces blood. Fascinating facts and figures are included: e.g. On average, a person has 70 millilitres of blood for every kilogram of weight; a pinhead-sized drop of blood contains 9,000 white blood cells, 250,000 platelets, and 5 million red blood cells. Subsequent chapters describe the structure and function of the heart, the circulatory system and, finally, related systems and organs such as the lymphatic system, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.

Attractively designed, the book is liberally illustrated with colourful diagrams, charts, and playful, cartoon-like characters. A variety of print sizes and fonts are used, effectively dividing the text into manageable and distinct sections. Sidebars and inserts provide related information and trivia. Each chapter includes several experiments and/or demonstrations to add interest and further involve the reader. A table of contents and index make it easy to locate specific information. Pronunciation keys are given for words which may be unfamiliar to the reader. It is good to note that Squirt! is an equal-opportunity book , referring to a heart surgeon as “she.”

Accessible and appealing to junior grade readers, Squirt! provides enough information and detail to engage intermediate level students as well. Highly recommended.