Ouch! A book about cuts, scratches, and scrapes

This book is more of a supportive text rather than fostering the scientific processes. It's would serve a better purpose to inform and provide content knowledge. It would be difficult to present it in a fashion where it would foster development of the processes.

Author: Melvin Berger
Illustrator: Pat Stewart
Year Published: 1991
ISBN: 0525673237

Summary

This book will walk through how your body heals itself after getting hurt. The book talks about how white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets work together to heal the body, specifically after a cut or a scrape.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: Medium
Authority: Medium
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: Medium
Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

There are not many points in the book where children would be able to stop reading and ask questions. It is very informative, and does not probe. The book does not ask the reader to explore or investigate further. However, it offers answers for questions that readers might have about healing prior to reading the book.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book does not encourage readers to inquire on their own. The text does not ask questions or give provoking ideas. Although the text is set up as very informative, it does not prevent readers from posing their own questions.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The topic is very appropriate and accurate. The illustrations, although cartoon, they are not too animated and fairly realistic. The text does not shy away from proper terms and explains them simply.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is very specific to the topic, but still very accurate and true. It talks about a small component of the immune system, but makes it relatable to the reader by focusing on cuts and scrapes, something that all readers likely have experience with.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book does not explicitly differentiate between fact and fiction, but it does contain much more fact than fiction. The content is all based off fact. The only thing that would be fiction are the characters in the book who present the information.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very accurately depicted. The drawings are not made out to be too cartoonish or made into characters. They are very realistic, and look more like doodles of realistic drawings rather than cartoonish characters.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book is written at an appropriate level, and scientific terms are defined and given an illustration. It may be a little too easy for 6th graders, but the illustrations and accurate information make up for it.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

The texts does not refer to stereotyping, but the illustrations do not discriminate. The pictures include different races and genders as well as ages.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Both males and females have equal roles in the book according to the illustrations. The text does not mention characters. It only discusses the content.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

This book mainly focuses on scientific content. It is not an integrated book that ties in other subjects other than the fact that it is a piece of literature in itself.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book presents the scientific content in a admiring manner, portraying it in a positive light. It praises the body, specifically the immune system, and what it does for us.

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level