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Wonderful Life With the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified
Get to Know the Elements!
From the brilliant mind of Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji comes Wonderful Life with the Elements, an illustrated guide to the periodic table that gives chemistry a friendly face.
In this super periodic table, every element is a unique character whose properties are represented visually: heavy elements are fat, man-made elements are robots, and noble gases sport impressive afros. Every detail is significant, from the length of an element's beard to the clothes on its back. You'll also learn about each element's discovery, its common uses, and other vital stats like whether it floats—or explodes—in water.
Why bother trudging through a traditional periodic table? In this periodic paradise, the elements are people too. And once you've met them, you'll never forget them.
Includes pull-out poster!
From the brilliant mind of Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji comes Wonderful Life with the Elements, an illustrated guide to the periodic table that gives chemistry a friendly face.
In this super periodic table, every element is a unique character whose properties are represented visually: heavy elements are fat, man-made elements are robots, and noble gases sport impressive afros. Every detail is significant, from the length of an element's beard to the clothes on its back. You'll also learn about each element's discovery, its common uses, and other vital stats like whether it floats—or explodes—in water.
Why bother trudging through a traditional periodic table? In this periodic paradise, the elements are people too. And once you've met them, you'll never forget them.
Includes pull-out poster!
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
32 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 26, 2017
I am a humanities guy, but someone suggested I check out how science could get taught/enhanced through comics. And it works! I mean, I am not exactly interested in this subject, but if I were studying organic chemistry, whoa! Chemistry with a sense of humor!
Yorifuji imagines every element as a unique character whose properties are represented visually, and anthropomorphically: Heavy elements are fat (okay, large) guys, and so on. We learn about the properties of the elements as if they were characters, in other words.
If you see the ratings and reviews from science-types, you can see this book works.
Yorifuji imagines every element as a unique character whose properties are represented visually, and anthropomorphically: Heavy elements are fat (okay, large) guys, and so on. We learn about the properties of the elements as if they were characters, in other words.
If you see the ratings and reviews from science-types, you can see this book works.
June 5, 2018
Sách hay - khá nhiều thông tin, giá như được đọc lúc còn học môn Hoá chắc sẽ dễ ăn vào đầu hơn. Tuy nhiên cách visualize các ngto theo mô hình tóc tai/quần áo khá rối, giá như tác giả đừg quá tham lam mà chỉ chọn những đặc điểm nổi trội nhất của từg nhóm ngto.
November 2, 2012
Wonderful Life with the Elements is fantastic! Originally published in Japan, every element in the periodic table is represented in this book as a cute little man to make it easier to understand and remember that element’s properties, uses, and history. The drawings, in shades of yellow and black, are definitely quirky but for me that is part of their charm. Different hairstyles, clothing, and body types are used to give at-a-glance information about the elements. Hydrogen, for instance, is a special element that doesn’t fit into any category so he has a crown, and since hydrogen is a gas at room temperature his body is ghost-like. The heavier elements are fatter. The man-made elements look like robots.
At the back of the book is a small, fold-out, removable poster of the periodic table with the element men all lined up in their proper row formations. The front pages of the book have pie chart-like graphics that illustrate the relative abundance of each element in the Universe, the Earth, and the the Sun. There is also a fascinating section showing which elements humans have used in their everyday lives during various eras of history and prehistory.
I work as a tutor and plan to use this book with my chemistry students, but anyone interested in the nature of the world may enjoy perusing it. In my experience it’s difficult to put down--I’ve had a hard time getting it back from the several people I’ve shown it to.
At the back of the book is a small, fold-out, removable poster of the periodic table with the element men all lined up in their proper row formations. The front pages of the book have pie chart-like graphics that illustrate the relative abundance of each element in the Universe, the Earth, and the the Sun. There is also a fascinating section showing which elements humans have used in their everyday lives during various eras of history and prehistory.
I work as a tutor and plan to use this book with my chemistry students, but anyone interested in the nature of the world may enjoy perusing it. In my experience it’s difficult to put down--I’ve had a hard time getting it back from the several people I’ve shown it to.
March 2, 2025
El contenido del libro, con algunas reservas, me ha gustado. Incluso me ha dado alguna idea que pueda utilizar en clase, pero no le puedo perdonar algunas cosas. Principalmente, que la personalización de los elementos se traduzca en que TODOS sean hombres. Se le ocurrió ponerles diferentes peinados, brillos, cuerpos y ropas, pero no se le ocurrió, no sé, incluir mujeres. El contenido en sí además no es muy extenso, aunque está bien organizado. Que haya elementos en japonés le da un plus para mí, pero me ha decepcionado.
November 25, 2015
I wish this book was published back when I studied Organic Chemistry. Perhaps, it would be a great addition to the text book.
The book describes all elements in the world, leads you to understand what exactly chemists talk about when they say we encounter and use elements from the beginning we open our eyes until bed time. Even the elements are within our bodies. Go read it if you're curious enough.
The book describes all elements in the world, leads you to understand what exactly chemists talk about when they say we encounter and use elements from the beginning we open our eyes until bed time. Even the elements are within our bodies. Go read it if you're curious enough.
March 11, 2019
Aww một cuốn sách đáng yêu
January 11, 2020
Cute graphics with a serious content and an important message to readers about our precious resources.
June 6, 2022
what a cute little book! and a lot of great information too!
May 21, 2025
cute drawings and everything and learned a lot of fun facts about the elements
-1 star bc why were the elements drawn as men?
-1 star bc why were the elements drawn as men?
June 13, 2025
Una idea original e interesante, pero no termina de estar bien ejecutada.
December 19, 2017
As the title makes clear, Yorifuji has taken the traditionally "dry" periodic table of the elements and created one where each element has been personified based on its weight, main characteristics, uses, etc. While it's not the type of book that you are likely to read from cover to cover, it is certainly a quirky and useful reference book, and it neatly makes chemistry come alive in a creative way.
November 16, 2016
Well, my brother was actually given this, and before that, I didn't really know the elements very well. The only names of the elements I remembered very well before this book were Oxygen, Hydrogen, Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, and Nitrogen. (Maybe Neon.) But now, I know a LOT more than I used to, and I also wasn't really a science type of person. (Although I am interested in certain science-y stuff.) But now, I know that Selenium is in chocolate and can lower the chances of heart disease, and that Arsenic is really poisonous but it is one of the elements in your body(!), and that even an element was made the year I was born!
But as much as I'd like to spill a lot more details that I learned, you probably don't want any more spoilers.
So, I'll let you go into the awesome book, and enjoy the wonderful art and knowledge of the elements that Yorifuji offers you, in this incredible and creative book.
I recommend this book to kids about my age, older, and even adults who are a big fan of science, and who kind of know science, but haven't really been into it before. For family, I recommend this to my uncle, who's into science, all of my Okerlund aunties, my dad (I read it to my dad already, and he liked it) and my Okerlund grandparents.
I have a feeling that it will inspire kids and even older kids and adults to become scientists, or even become better artists, since Yorifuji also draws really well!
5 stars!!
But as much as I'd like to spill a lot more details that I learned, you probably don't want any more spoilers.
So, I'll let you go into the awesome book, and enjoy the wonderful art and knowledge of the elements that Yorifuji offers you, in this incredible and creative book.
I recommend this book to kids about my age, older, and even adults who are a big fan of science, and who kind of know science, but haven't really been into it before. For family, I recommend this to my uncle, who's into science, all of my Okerlund aunties, my dad (I read it to my dad already, and he liked it) and my Okerlund grandparents.
I have a feeling that it will inspire kids and even older kids and adults to become scientists, or even become better artists, since Yorifuji also draws really well!
5 stars!!
May 20, 2020
Một cuốn sách siêu dễ thương về hóa học, hay cụ thể hơn là về các nguyên tố. Mỗi một nguyên tố được đề cập đều được tác giả vẽ minh họa siêu xinh về đặc điểm nổi trội nhất, nguồn gốc và ứng dụng trong cuộc sống hàng ngày. Nếu như bảng tuần hoàn hóa học được sắp xếp theo nhóm và chu kì thì tác giả cũng giữ nguyên như vậy với hình ảnh từng nhóm nguyên tố được vẽ rất chi tiết dù khác nhau nhưng vẫn mang đặc điểm chung về nhóm của mình.
Hình minh họa vẽ siêu đáng yêu rồi được kí hiệu rất chi tiết mà lại không rối mắt về sự diệu kì của các nguyên tố, một lựa chọn không tồi để khơi dậy đam mê với hóa học. Thêm nữa là khi mua sách sẽ có kèm bảng tuần hoàn các nguyên tố version mới - chính là hình ảnh các nguyên tố được tác giả vẽ lại theo cách của mình, nhìn thôi cũng thấy vui ấy.
Hình minh họa vẽ siêu đáng yêu rồi được kí hiệu rất chi tiết mà lại không rối mắt về sự diệu kì của các nguyên tố, một lựa chọn không tồi để khơi dậy đam mê với hóa học. Thêm nữa là khi mua sách sẽ có kèm bảng tuần hoàn các nguyên tố version mới - chính là hình ảnh các nguyên tố được tác giả vẽ lại theo cách của mình, nhìn thôi cũng thấy vui ấy.
December 30, 2012
This book was interesting, although not exactly a sit down read. I don't know why all the personified elements needed to be male (complete with genitalia) and I honestly found that to be quite a distraction (the suggestion that everything that makes up our universe is apparently male, not the cartoon genitalia). Again, an interesting idea (the book, not the gendered universe) and a memorable way of presenting an abstract concept, but overall I can only rate this as okay.
July 12, 2014
"If the body were an orchestra, the minerals would be its conductor."
A marvelous book for a so-so person who are not interested into science. Yes, me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed so much every page, illustration, and explanation from the author. Now, I know that the average human is made up from approximately 65% of oxygen, 18% of carbon, and 10% of hydrogen. For a beginner one, reading this book is so much fun compared to the relevant subjects that I got in the classroom :p
A marvelous book for a so-so person who are not interested into science. Yes, me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed so much every page, illustration, and explanation from the author. Now, I know that the average human is made up from approximately 65% of oxygen, 18% of carbon, and 10% of hydrogen. For a beginner one, reading this book is so much fun compared to the relevant subjects that I got in the classroom :p
September 9, 2013
A really fun way of understanding the periodic table, or at least enjoying it! Different characteristics of each element are systematically visualized as characteristics of a person: a hairdo, clothing, body type, etc, so that each element becomes a Japanese cartoon character. Great for older elementary school kids all the way up to adult readers who like the periodic table.
September 14, 2013
"In this super periodic table, every element is a unique character whose properties are represented visually: heavy elements are fat, man-made elements are robots, and noble gases sport impressive afros. Every detail is significant, from the length of an element's beard to the clothes on its back."
June 19, 2013
Cute take on the elements! Compare to the Elements project by Kaycie D.
http://kcd-elements.tumblr.com/
http://kcd-elements.tumblr.com/
October 1, 2018
Bunpei Yorifuji, best known for the ad series “Do It at Home” for the Tokyo metro line, is both an artist and an illustrator. In his graphic novel, Wonderful Life with the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified, Yorifuji both reimagines the periodic table while breathing it to life. Through clever use of icons, Yorifuji personifies the elements and aids the neophyte with an innovative tool to understand and examine the periodic table; while giving educators and instructors alike a new way of presenting the chemical elements to their students.
Each element is given various traits which represent its many properties and characteristics. Hairstyles represent the chemical property of an element, while body type serves to identify the state of matter: solid, liquid, or gas; atomic weight is represented by body weight, while age demonstrates the discovery year of the element. Special properties are demonstrated through clothing and backgrounds, with specific articles of clothing depicting the potential usage of the element. With this simple icon development, “The Super Periodic Table of the Elements” is born. Yorifuji’s clever, almost masterful, new design of the periodic table now offers a deluge of information to even the most novice of chemistry students. Young people who regularly utilize the myriad of icons on their electronic devices should have little problem with familiarizing themselves with the various characteristics and traits of these superhero type characters. The bulk of the book is dedicated to examining each element and its superhero attributes, providing important information about its discovery, the potential usage and interesting facts pertaining to it. The last two sections of the book look at the elements as they exist in the human body or are consumed by the human population and the pending “element crisis” which Yorifuji feels needs to be examined and addressed, not just in his native Japan, but as a world-wide concern.
Yorifuji’s graphic novel provides an inventive and creative way to both grasp and identify each of the elements in the periodic table. The layout and design of the book is well conceptualized, and with the inclusion of a pull-out periodic table that can be used while going through the book, makes evaluating and examining the different elements quite easy. Because of the nature of the material, locating information on specific elements or groupings even without the use of the index at the back of the book, makes it a great teaching aid or student companion text, as well.
Due to a lack of effective teaching strategies for chemistry, it is often difficult for many students to comprehend. Yorifuji’s adept artwork brings the elements to life with superhero qualities which will appeal to young and old alike. Students will be attracted to the iconic look of the elements and find identifying the specific qualities or characteristics of each element near game-like. Once thought to be a dry chart of numbers and symbols, now becomes a fun puzzle of matching and grouping superhero attributes.
I am scoring this novel with 4.5 stars for conception, design and ingenuity. In just a few minutes, I found that despite my lack of enthusiasm (and I am understating my real feelings about chemistry), I quickly picked up on several of the traits and found that I could readily and correctly identify the noble gases from halogens even when they were not situated on the periodic table; and I could quickly pick out the radioactive and luminescent elements without clues or identification markers. The book was easy to understand despite the complexity of the subject matter, and the illustrations were whimsical and lighthearted. Were I to find fault with the book, it would be the lack of a single location for a “key” to help with identification and the less than complete discussion about the element crisis. I feel the author introduces a concern, but then fails to address it properly or extensively enough to make it worthy of inclusion. I believe this book would be a great gift for the ‘science nerd’ in your life.
Each element is given various traits which represent its many properties and characteristics. Hairstyles represent the chemical property of an element, while body type serves to identify the state of matter: solid, liquid, or gas; atomic weight is represented by body weight, while age demonstrates the discovery year of the element. Special properties are demonstrated through clothing and backgrounds, with specific articles of clothing depicting the potential usage of the element. With this simple icon development, “The Super Periodic Table of the Elements” is born. Yorifuji’s clever, almost masterful, new design of the periodic table now offers a deluge of information to even the most novice of chemistry students. Young people who regularly utilize the myriad of icons on their electronic devices should have little problem with familiarizing themselves with the various characteristics and traits of these superhero type characters. The bulk of the book is dedicated to examining each element and its superhero attributes, providing important information about its discovery, the potential usage and interesting facts pertaining to it. The last two sections of the book look at the elements as they exist in the human body or are consumed by the human population and the pending “element crisis” which Yorifuji feels needs to be examined and addressed, not just in his native Japan, but as a world-wide concern.
Yorifuji’s graphic novel provides an inventive and creative way to both grasp and identify each of the elements in the periodic table. The layout and design of the book is well conceptualized, and with the inclusion of a pull-out periodic table that can be used while going through the book, makes evaluating and examining the different elements quite easy. Because of the nature of the material, locating information on specific elements or groupings even without the use of the index at the back of the book, makes it a great teaching aid or student companion text, as well.
Due to a lack of effective teaching strategies for chemistry, it is often difficult for many students to comprehend. Yorifuji’s adept artwork brings the elements to life with superhero qualities which will appeal to young and old alike. Students will be attracted to the iconic look of the elements and find identifying the specific qualities or characteristics of each element near game-like. Once thought to be a dry chart of numbers and symbols, now becomes a fun puzzle of matching and grouping superhero attributes.
I am scoring this novel with 4.5 stars for conception, design and ingenuity. In just a few minutes, I found that despite my lack of enthusiasm (and I am understating my real feelings about chemistry), I quickly picked up on several of the traits and found that I could readily and correctly identify the noble gases from halogens even when they were not situated on the periodic table; and I could quickly pick out the radioactive and luminescent elements without clues or identification markers. The book was easy to understand despite the complexity of the subject matter, and the illustrations were whimsical and lighthearted. Were I to find fault with the book, it would be the lack of a single location for a “key” to help with identification and the less than complete discussion about the element crisis. I feel the author introduces a concern, but then fails to address it properly or extensively enough to make it worthy of inclusion. I believe this book would be a great gift for the ‘science nerd’ in your life.
August 30, 2020
Cuốn này dễ thương cực. Sẽ rất thích hợp cho những bạn đam mê Hóa nhưng lại không muốn tìm hiểu sâu. Sách đưa những kiến thức thiết thực và đơn giản nhất về những nguyên tố hóa học. Ngoài ra, nếu muốn tìm hiểu sâu hơn thì quyển này cũng là tiền đề vì nó đưa ra những khái niệm cũng như những từ ngữ chuyên ngành, từ đó ta có thể search ra những kiến thức liên quan. Cái hay của quyển này là không những cho mình cái nhìn mới về bảng tuần hoàn hóa học mà còn bổ sung kiến thức về Dinh dưỡng - ngành mình đang theo học. Điểm trừ duy nhất với mình là văn phong, vì dịch từ tiếng Nhật sang tiếng Việt nên mình cảm thấy không ưng văn phong viết của quyển này lắm, đọc không cảm thấy trôi chảy và thuận miệng.
Nói tóm lại là 3.5/5 cho một quyển sách truyền đạt những kiến thức Hóa khô khan nhưng không hề khô khan.
Nói tóm lại là 3.5/5 cho một quyển sách truyền đạt những kiến thức Hóa khô khan nhưng không hề khô khan.
September 9, 2021
OK OK NERD TIME! I LOVE, L-O-V-E, PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY. AGHHHH. okay brooklin, breathe. Anyways, i love chemistry and the elements and stuff, so this book was amazing. If i could put more than 5 stars, i would. I loved how the author drew the elements as people/aliens/ghosts. EEEEEEEEEEEEK! Okay im done now. 5 stars
January 8, 2021
I love chemistry and this is definitely a humorous and informative approach. I did wish that there were additional details added for some of the elements. There’s definitely a political bias present, but it was still a pleasant read.
March 30, 2025
A primera vista piensas que va a ser algo tostón, pero una vez ves las ilustraciones y comienzas s entrar en el microuniverso de los elementos... Es un libro ameno y científicamente muy correcto. No dudaré en consultarlo muchas veces en mi vida.
February 5, 2017
This book is really amazing! When I was at school, chemistry is the object I hate the most.. until I've met this book. I'd like to recommend, even you dont like chemistry, let's give it a try!
June 25, 2017
Hình vẽ dễ thương, ngộ nghĩnh... Liệt kê đầy đủ tất các nguyên tốcũ và mới kể cả những nguyên tố nhân tạo ít ai biết đến.
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November 15, 2020C'est genre un atlas en bande dessinée sur les éléments du tableau périodique. Très instructif, présenté de façon ludique, mais pas très palpitant pour autant.
December 15, 2020
cool memorable illustration
December 23, 2020
Very helpful for young students starting to learn chemistry. Elements with wonderful personality!
August 26, 2021
great book to help give the elements a life so they are easier to remember
May 26, 2023
Cuốn sách có ý tưởng hay và đầu tư, nhưng không có thẩm mỹ lắm. Hình minh họa các nguyên tố nhìn khá rối rắm và khó nhớ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews