Oh, Yuck: The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty

Rating:
Summary: Including raunchy recipes and vile experiments
Review: From the human body's gasses and liquids to creepy phenomena of the world, Oh, Yuck! covers all 'gross' subjects with equal insights, including raunchy recipes, vile experiments, and general gore. Not for the squeamish. Kid-oriented (pre-teen) but many an adult will qualify as reader.

Rating:
Summary: laugh-out-loud funny
Review: I bought this book for my niece and nephew, one of whom is a reluctant reader. They were both hysterical laughing for hours and my nephew has spent many an afternoon sharing favorite parts with his friends. The pictures are mind-boggling. Best of all, I have a science background and knew that that the scientific information compiled is extremely sound. I knew they were learning while they were laughing. Plus, I now have a reputation for being the coolest aunt in town.

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Summary: Interesting Facts About Some Yucky Stuff
Review: I bought this book to try to stop my preschooler from using "potty-language" every time he speaks - I thought if I explained, in technical detail, that bodily functions and other stuff is just a natural occurance, maybe he would cut his bathroom humor down. Wrong. While the book is entertaining and has a lot of facts that I wasn't aware of, it makes light of all things gross. So we laughed as I read it (there is quite of bit of humor in it) and I realized that almost everyone (especially young boys!) are just fascinated with stuff that drives us Moms crazy! Would make a great gift book for a "tween" ager!

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Summary: I'm a grownup and I loved it!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Laugh-out-loud fun AND knowledge
Review: I bought two copies of this for my two nephews, neither of whom are into reading. I have never seen them devour a book like they did this one! And as someone with a science background, I can vouch for the sound knowledge packed in the book's pages. The photos are amazing and fun, too. And now, I will forever be known as the "cool" uncle!

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Summary: A true classic
Review: 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.

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Summary: Laugh Out Loud Funny!!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Laugh Out Loud Funny!!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Subject matter intriguing - Reading level disappointing.
Review: I thought this would be inspiring for a six-year old who is a reluctant reader, but after I received it, I decided to give it to his older brother instead. Categorizing this book for the 9-12 year old reading level is correct. Each topic is presented in 1-2 pages of text that even a brainy, eight-year-old bookworm got tired of reading. We all read it together during storytime, and while it kept the six-year old's attention, the blocks of text were much too thick and intimidating for him to attempt to read. The illustrations are also disappointing. The paperback is cheaply printed with one- or two-color line drawings or black-and-white photographs that are comical without much educational value. No diagrams or labeled body parts. Lastly, be prepared to hear about slugs and vomit for a few days -- and for the kids to share these topics during dinner with friends and family. It's too bad this wasn't written for a younger reader because I would encourage a pre-teenager to explore loftier topics.

Rating:
Summary: Gross!
Review: If you want a child (especially a boy) to read Oh Yuck! fills the bill. They can't resist the yucky tidbits. My teacher friends tell me that anything that a kid reads is worth it's weight. Intrestingly, this book is full of scientific facts worth learning. So you have a youngster reading, learning and having a great time doing it. That's hard to beat.