What Happens to a Hamburger

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

by Paul Showers, Paul Showers

What happens to a hamburger and all the other food we eat? Digestion! In your mouth, your stomach, and your intestines, food is turned into bones and muscles and energy for your body to use. Carrots and peaches, eggs and pickles, all make you strong and healthy and help you grow.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Stem, Health, 2nd Grade

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Luisa Knight]

I really like this series for the younger crowd. Particularly the vintage editions - the illustrations are so much better, in detail and art style.

This title goes through the digestion process. The info is just enough to not be overwhelming, and to stick with a 3 year old.

A win for early science!

Ages: 3 - 6

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[SaraKat]

What a great book about digestion! I can definitely use this in my middle school classroom to help reinforce the parts and process of digestion for my students. The illustrations are clear and simple and well done and there are no inaccuracies. It hasn't been dumbed down so much for young readers that it isn't scientifically relevant anymore.

[Camden]

what a great book to teach kids about the digestive tract. it includes such great illustrations that show exactly what happens when you eat. this book would be great to use as a science lesson or a health lesson in your classroom.

[Meagan]

This book takes us through the digestive tract in a super simple and organized manner, inviting students to perform quick experiments (ex. Chewing up carrots and spitting them out to observe mechanical digestion- gross, but effective!) to learn how digestion works. It's suitable for all ages.

[Luizah]

An educative read about the digestive tract.
It’s a nice and cool, non-stress way of teaching children about it.

[Jennifer Baker]

Great mentor text for expert books.

[Nichole]

Nice, straight-forward explanations and simple comparisons and experiments to help it all make sense.

[Lynn Davidson]

This is an informative, clear explanation of digestion. Easy to understand and nicely illustrated.

[Sarah]

1. "What Happens to a Hamburger?" written by Paul Showers is about the excursion food takes from the mouth and through the digestive system. The book is written in a narrative format to describe this process. Scientific terms and pictures lead the reader through the journey to build understanding about the digestive system.

2. A great book that will help readers understand the digestive process. With scientific vocabulary that is supported with easy to understand definitions, students will be able to easily grasp concepts. Actual pictures help support text and reinforce ideas. A wonderful supplement to a unit on health or body systems!

3. This book would be a great supplementary text to any unit based on body systems. In particular, the book, "The Digestive System (TIME for Kids Nonfiction Readers)" written by Jennifer Prior would compliment this text.

4. This quote was chosen to demonstrate the readability of the text. "Something else helps to break up the food in your mouth. It is a fluid. Many people call it spit. Its scientific name is saliva" (p. 12).

[Anna]

A very simplified version of the digestive tract system so good for little kids. The pictures are not the best looking.

[Christine]

My 4yr old picked this book. I was skeptical but after we read it together a few times, she really understood the digestive tract and what happens to the food she eats. It is put in a simple, easy-to-understand manner that she easily 'get's it'. And she is sooo happy to know about this stuff, it was surprising.

Since at this age, kids are really interested in their bodily functions, I feel this is a must-have book for parents to help answer their curiosity and give their children interesting knowledge. My daughter is so exited to tell everyone "what happens to the hamburger", and I feel proud that she knows all about it.

[Heather]

This was a fun and easy look at the digestive system. My kids enjoyed it and were able to narrate back with ease. The illustrations of the digestive system itself were clear and colorful. I know the book has been redone, and it may be worth seeking out, but I have this older version so can only comment on it.

For K-1 this would really be all you need. You would need to add a few more things for the rest of elementary.

A good, solid book.

[Sarah A]

This looks like a bit of a random book but when my daughter picked it out, I realized it would start a new topical interest.
This book is actually really really well written. It explains the process of digestion in simple yet scientific terms with really clear diagrams. It inspired a great learning lesson in a scientific way not leaving a lot of space for potty humor which was great for me! Going to look for others in this series.

[Katrina Kim]

Students: Kindergarten- 2nd grade

Taught concepts:
-Digestion
- Gullet
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Food (organic/processed)
- Food that the body cannot see

The book teaches how each body part transform food consumed

* After lunch read this book then at the end have the students draw and write what they think is happening to their lunch!

[Adrienne]

Either my science education was woeful or this is a good book. I actually learned (or, relearned) about the digestive system. It introduced Eleanor to molecules and basic bodily organs. It's not disgusting and a really fun read.

[Analee]

informative digestive system book for younger kids.

[Rachel]

Book about digestion! Fun for teaching the body and digestion to students.

[Seher Patka]

Excellent book on digestion. Takes a tour through the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Lesson for science.

[Colleen]

Good for You! unit 7
Leveled Books - Advanced

[Teri]

3.5 stars. Wish the illustrations were better--but the science is solid enough.

[Priya Shivaprasad]

its a good book

[Samantha]

After reading this, I learned something new. Definitely an informative read that anyone can understand. Love the illustrations too.