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It Takes Guts: How Your Body Turns Food Into Fuel [and Poop]
An illustrated book about the digestive system and microbiome for young readers.
Everybody eats, and everybody poops. Pretty ordinary stuff, right? But what happens in between is far from ordinary! That’s where your digestive system—also known as your gut—works its magic.
Everybody eats, and everybody poops. Pretty ordinary stuff, right? But what happens in between is far from ordinary! That’s where your digestive system—also known as your gut—works its magic.
152 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2021
5 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 27, 2022
Do you ever wonder why so many people are mildly obsessed with fart and poop jokes? Could it be the influence of one f the most important systems exerting its influence?
This book takes the reader on the fascinating tour of the human digestive system. From the mouth at the beginning to the rectum at the end. Everything you always wanted to know about digestion and things you didn't even know to think about are included. The myriad of interesting facts are shared in an entertaining way so that even though the subject matter is something which many people would avoid, this book is incredibly readable and immensely enjoyable.
This book takes the reader on the fascinating tour of the human digestive system. From the mouth at the beginning to the rectum at the end. Everything you always wanted to know about digestion and things you didn't even know to think about are included. The myriad of interesting facts are shared in an entertaining way so that even though the subject matter is something which many people would avoid, this book is incredibly readable and immensely enjoyable.
November 7, 2021
Looking for an ideal nonfiction trade book for middle graders (and even some young, ALL older)? This is the top of my recommendation list for biology, anatomy, human/social practices, and more. The author's voice and style make readers feel comfortable with topics that could be embarrassing, laughable, or downright confusing. By addressing the one body system that we engage with most consciously throughout our lives, explaining not only processes and components, but the miraculous ays in which our body functions for our well-being. Sprinkled liberally with unforgettable facts (burp-barking in zero gravity, why traditional toilets put us in the worst possible posture for pooping, and more) this book will have readers running to friends and family with a litany of "DID YOU KNOW? announcements.
The simple drawings, labels, key-fact summaries, sidebars, and font/color choices make it every bit as traditional and practical as a text book, but it is SOOOO much better than that. I wish I had this book during my teaching years, and I plan to gift it to friends and family. t's a terrific way to learn with lively enthusiasm.
The simple drawings, labels, key-fact summaries, sidebars, and font/color choices make it every bit as traditional and practical as a text book, but it is SOOOO much better than that. I wish I had this book during my teaching years, and I plan to gift it to friends and family. t's a terrific way to learn with lively enthusiasm.
September 16, 2021
This is like Horrible Histories but about science and anatomy! I wish I'd had this around to give my kids a few years ago, when they were 8 or 9 they loved learning and giggling about all this stuff and now that they're teens I'm afraid they feel they don't have time for it. The human body is amazing, and author Dr. Gardy communicates her awe and appreciation of that fact throughout this fun and fascinating read.
I loved learning how different types of foods are broken down differently in the digestive system, about the relationship between allergies and asthma and initial eating, and all the fast facts about space, animals, bad bugs, the appendix, and the microbiome!
My only complaint is that illustrations aren't included in the Kindle version I read.
I loved learning how different types of foods are broken down differently in the digestive system, about the relationship between allergies and asthma and initial eating, and all the fast facts about space, animals, bad bugs, the appendix, and the microbiome!
My only complaint is that illustrations aren't included in the Kindle version I read.
December 28, 2021
Excellent book! Read this with my elementary age kids and we loved it. It was a really fun way to learn the nitty gritty details of our guts and the cool workings of our body during digestion! The illustrations are great and the language is perfect—she does not talk down to kids, but rather on a level where everyone can understand. We laughed out loud several times and appreciated the straightforward & accurate, but fun/cool ways of explaining things. Recommend to anyone looking for a unique non-fiction learning source.
June 11, 2024
An informative read for upper elementary/middle school kids about how your gut works. The writing is clear and easy to understand and dare I say enjoyable on the topic. You’ll laugh, you’ll grimace, and you’ll learn about digestion.
June 16, 2021
Richie’s Picks: IT TAKES GUTS: HOW YOUR BODY TURNS FOOD INTO FUEL (AND POOP) by Dr. Jennifer Gardy and Belle Wuthrich, ill., Greystone Kids, September 2021, 152p., ISBN: 978-1-77164-501-0
“Food, glorious food!
What is there more handsome?
Gulped, swallowed or chewed
Still worth a king’s ransom!
What is it we dream about?
What brings on a sigh?
Piled peaches and cream,
About six feet high!
-- Lionel Bart, from “Oliver!” (1960)
“As you grow, your gut grows along with you. Eventually it’ll measure around 23 feet (7 meters) long--over half as long as a school bus! Every moment of every day of your life, your gut deals with everything you eat and drink: foods and liquids go in one end, the many organs that make up your digestive system takes out the healthy nutrients and other useful components out for your body to use, and the rest comes out the other end as poop. But scientists are learning new things every day about how the gut does so much more for us! It’s practically a part of our brain, able to send signals that tell us when we’re hungry or full. And it can even influence our mood--imagine being able to change how you feel by eating a different diet.
Our gut is part of our immune system too, defending our bodies against dangerous germs. And it’s also home to trillions of tiny bacteria that live with us in (usually) perfect harmony. They help us with some of the more difficult jobs of digestion, but they also shape how healthy we are. The bacteria present in our first few poops as babies can tell doctors whether or not we might grow up to develop allergies or asthma!”
Welcome to a fascinating tour of our guts, crafted by a doctor/scientist who often hosts science shows for kids. From saliva on one end, to poops in space and smart toilets on the other, Dr. Jennifer Gardy provides a comprehensive examination of our body’s digestive system that will entertain and enlighten elementary and middle school students (and even us grownups).
The chapters are well organized. The text includes dozens of highlighted terms that are then reviewed in the Glossary. And there are great chapter summations, called Fast Facts.
The author includes interesting, sometimes bizarre, sidebars. Did you know that sword swallowers have been doing their thing for over 4,000 years? (“It’s no trick, either--X-rays have shown that the sword really is inside their throat, with the tip sometimes reaching as far as their stomach!”) Did you know they’ve recently discovered that your stomach has some of the same taste receptors that are found in the taste buds in your mouth? This is great stuff!
The author connects well with her intended audience. The actual text, which spans around 120 pages, covers the basic concepts and terminology relating to each of the organs that together comprise our digestive system. I learned a lot, making IT TAKES GUTS one of those, “Darn! I wish I had this when I was 10 or 12.” kind of books. It’s a real must-have.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Food, glorious food!
What is there more handsome?
Gulped, swallowed or chewed
Still worth a king’s ransom!
What is it we dream about?
What brings on a sigh?
Piled peaches and cream,
About six feet high!
-- Lionel Bart, from “Oliver!” (1960)
“As you grow, your gut grows along with you. Eventually it’ll measure around 23 feet (7 meters) long--over half as long as a school bus! Every moment of every day of your life, your gut deals with everything you eat and drink: foods and liquids go in one end, the many organs that make up your digestive system takes out the healthy nutrients and other useful components out for your body to use, and the rest comes out the other end as poop. But scientists are learning new things every day about how the gut does so much more for us! It’s practically a part of our brain, able to send signals that tell us when we’re hungry or full. And it can even influence our mood--imagine being able to change how you feel by eating a different diet.
Our gut is part of our immune system too, defending our bodies against dangerous germs. And it’s also home to trillions of tiny bacteria that live with us in (usually) perfect harmony. They help us with some of the more difficult jobs of digestion, but they also shape how healthy we are. The bacteria present in our first few poops as babies can tell doctors whether or not we might grow up to develop allergies or asthma!”
Welcome to a fascinating tour of our guts, crafted by a doctor/scientist who often hosts science shows for kids. From saliva on one end, to poops in space and smart toilets on the other, Dr. Jennifer Gardy provides a comprehensive examination of our body’s digestive system that will entertain and enlighten elementary and middle school students (and even us grownups).
The chapters are well organized. The text includes dozens of highlighted terms that are then reviewed in the Glossary. And there are great chapter summations, called Fast Facts.
The author includes interesting, sometimes bizarre, sidebars. Did you know that sword swallowers have been doing their thing for over 4,000 years? (“It’s no trick, either--X-rays have shown that the sword really is inside their throat, with the tip sometimes reaching as far as their stomach!”) Did you know they’ve recently discovered that your stomach has some of the same taste receptors that are found in the taste buds in your mouth? This is great stuff!
The author connects well with her intended audience. The actual text, which spans around 120 pages, covers the basic concepts and terminology relating to each of the organs that together comprise our digestive system. I learned a lot, making IT TAKES GUTS one of those, “Darn! I wish I had this when I was 10 or 12.” kind of books. It’s a real must-have.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
October 4, 2021
I have a much better understanding of the journey my food takes through my body after reading this book. The factual information, written clearly and with humor matched by the amusing digital illustrations, does a great job of making the biology interesting even to a reader who tends towards fiction. There are memorable takeaways throughout the book, as one reads about food’s journey from the mouth (where digestion begins), to the the esophagus (with a fascinating aside about sword-swallowers), through the stomach (where I learned why we can always eat dessert, even when full), small and large intestines (with an explanation of the Bristol stool chart) and out through the rectum.
Illustrations on almost every page feature characters with diverse skin colors, as well as clever representations of bodily functions, such as the red-faced guy with a stop sign, denoting the soft palate that controls food and air being directed down the proper nasal passage. At 145 pages, including a table of contents, glossary and index, this is a great choice for non-fiction casual reading.
Illustrations on almost every page feature characters with diverse skin colors, as well as clever representations of bodily functions, such as the red-faced guy with a stop sign, denoting the soft palate that controls food and air being directed down the proper nasal passage. At 145 pages, including a table of contents, glossary and index, this is a great choice for non-fiction casual reading.
December 14, 2021
Dr. Jennifer Gardy loves poop! And after reading this book, you will too! Dr. Gardy takes her time discussing the "ins and out" of the gastrointestinal tract in a conversational and yet scientific manner. Starting with saliva and ending with feces, the reader will walk away respecting their gut biome, appreciating their stomach acid, and be impressed by the comprehensive network it takes to turn food into fuel. With fun facts, like how Wombats poop out cubes, and incredibly engaging & enlightening cartoons depicting each step, this book is as marvelous as the system it expounds upon!
August 9, 2022
A wonderful book about the digestion process that is in easy-to-understand language. I was pre-reading it for my MS library and think my students will love the book. My 5-year-old even enjoyed when I read bits out loud to her, especially the sections on farting and pooping. Even better, the content corresponds to MI grade 6 science standards.
September 4, 2023
2024 Beehive Book Award Nominee: Informational
With awesome illustrations and almost too much detail about the gastrointestinal system, I found this quite interesting, but I’m doubtful that any of my elementary-aged readers will be interested in reading this cover-to-cover. I would love the author to create a picture book length version to teach basics for younger readers.
With awesome illustrations and almost too much detail about the gastrointestinal system, I found this quite interesting, but I’m doubtful that any of my elementary-aged readers will be interested in reading this cover-to-cover. I would love the author to create a picture book length version to teach basics for younger readers.
December 17, 2021
My 8 year old love love LOVES this book! She's been talking about it for days now. It's nice to have a book that focuses on just one of the body's systems. We very much like other books that focus on the whole body, but it is nice to get more in depth.
August 10, 2022
My kids will love reading this book when they are a few years older. Very informative book for middle grade kids. However, I also learned a few new things so could be a fun quick read for adults to learn about their bodies in an easy to digest book ( haha I couldn’t stop that pun)
April 4, 2023
Who would’ve thought that I’d find a book that’d leave us in awe of the intricacies of the digestive system? I’m still marveling over microbiomes! Gross topics? Well, yes. But they’re fascinatingly gross!
May 13, 2023
Good fun while talking about guts! The language is not dumbed down snd the tone remains light. It is very thorough - all about our guts, poop (listed by a number of other names), halitosis, bacteria, biotics, the ileum and More!
Future gastroenterologists will be delighted!
Future gastroenterologists will be delighted!
September 10, 2021
Great book for junior and early YA
December 21, 2022
This is a really informative juvenile book about the guy and digestive system. Thorough, but understandable makes it easily approachable for children.
December 28, 2022
Very informative, solid scientific information explained very well.
January 3, 2023
This book was interesting, funny and super gross!
I think kids will love it because the word POOP is in the title.
If you have to learn about the digestive system, this is a fun one!
I think kids will love it because the word POOP is in the title.
If you have to learn about the digestive system, this is a fun one!
March 27, 2023
I liked the text of the book, but it is the illustrations that tipped it over from three stars to four.
August 9, 2023
Perfect book for kids who want to learn about how our body works
November 27, 2023
read it before i gift it to my niece - fantastic stuff
January 6, 2025
So much great information! And a great jumping off point to make talking about poop easier.
April 2, 2026
Easy fun read where the illustrations help things make more sense! My kids loved listening to me read this out loud.
September 23, 2024
The human body is pretty rad...totally gross too...but the coolness totally outweighs the yuck!
.
Kids are fascinated by how their bodies work...and boy oh boy do they have questions, can anyone relate? Annnnd...one area of particular interest to kids would have to be the digestive system...because poop, right?
.
Well, have I got the book for you! It Takes Guts- How Your Body Turns Food Into Fuel (and Poop) is a science filled and laugh-out-loud funny tour of the digestive system. We start in the mouth and end...well...you know where it ends. But, it's all of the "stuff" that happens between the two that is so fascinating. From saliva, to burps, to allergies, to microbes, to microbiomes, to square shaped wombat poop (did you know that wombats poo cube shapes? Nope, me either!)...it's all here. It is fascinating...and funny...and so "digestible" for kids. (You know I wasn't going to leave out a good pun)
.
Written by Dr. Jennifer Gardy with awesome illustrations by Belle Wuthrich, It Takes Guts would be a perfect addition to any anatomy unit...or just a great resource for those super inquisitive kids! Heck...it answered a lot of questions for this gal!
.
I just adored this book. Super fun and so informative.
(I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, Greystone Kids Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
.
Kids are fascinated by how their bodies work...and boy oh boy do they have questions, can anyone relate? Annnnd...one area of particular interest to kids would have to be the digestive system...because poop, right?
.
Well, have I got the book for you! It Takes Guts- How Your Body Turns Food Into Fuel (and Poop) is a science filled and laugh-out-loud funny tour of the digestive system. We start in the mouth and end...well...you know where it ends. But, it's all of the "stuff" that happens between the two that is so fascinating. From saliva, to burps, to allergies, to microbes, to microbiomes, to square shaped wombat poop (did you know that wombats poo cube shapes? Nope, me either!)...it's all here. It is fascinating...and funny...and so "digestible" for kids. (You know I wasn't going to leave out a good pun)
.
Written by Dr. Jennifer Gardy with awesome illustrations by Belle Wuthrich, It Takes Guts would be a perfect addition to any anatomy unit...or just a great resource for those super inquisitive kids! Heck...it answered a lot of questions for this gal!
.
I just adored this book. Super fun and so informative.
(I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, Greystone Kids Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews