Review Non-Fiction--Seymour, Simon--The Brain

REVIEW: NONFICTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Seymour, Simon. 2003. The Brain. Our Nervous System. New York: William Morrow and Company. ISBN 0688146414

PLOT SUMMARY

“The Brain” is an informational book about the human Brain and the nervous system. The book describes and illustrates microscopic cells and nerves. It explains how electrical impulse triggers the release of a chemical and passes signals to next nerve cell and eventually to the brain. The brain responds and sends a message to the spinal cord to create movement. The author describes the brain as being “about the size of a grapefruit” and “looks like wrinkled blob of pinkish gray jelly.” Medical terms such as cerebrum, cerebellum, thalamus, and hypothalamus are explained in detail. The author describes the spinal cord as “starting out as a thick white rope and ending as a thin thread.” Short-term and long-term memories are discussed. The book concludes with descriptions of procedures such as electroencephalograph (EEG) and positron computed tomography (PCT) to find out what is happening in the brain and the nervous system.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The large lifelike full-page illustrations with gory details will appeal to the young readers. The details in the drawings are meticulous and intricate. I found the picture of the spinal cord especially fascinating. The explanations relate to real life incidents. For example, the author states that when you touch something, your brain tells you how hot it is. On the next page there is an illustration of a man touching a hot pot. The nerves in the arm are colorful and clearly visible. The author displays the route of the single message as it moves through millions of nerve cells from the finger to the brain. The words are simple and the sentences are short.

One can feel Seymour’s passion and enthusiasm about the subject matter as he describes, in detail, every aspect of the brain and does not assume that the student has prior knowledge. He breaks medical terms into smaller words to make the material comprehensible. For example, in the Latin word hypothalamus, hypo means “under” and thalamus means inner room. Therefore, the word hypothalamus means “under the inner room”. His descriptions are vibrant and create an image in the reader’s mind. When describing the size, the author compares the hypothalamus to a small bean. The large font displays the material in an organized and uncluttered format. Overall, the writing style and the illustrations are clear, lively, and interesting will appeal to readers of all ages.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal, 08/01/1997

Gr 3-6?In this most recent effort, Simon brings his deft touch to an explanation of the brain and the nervous system. His clear, concise writing style is complemented by stunning color images taken with radiological scanners, such as CAT scans, MRIs, and SEMs (scanning electron microscopes.) Included in his explanation are descriptions of the anatomy and function of the parts of the brain, long and short term memory, neurons, dendrites, and more. The layout is familiar?a page of text facing a full-page photo. There is no glossary or index, but, as usual, the book is so well organized that they won't be missed.?Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY

BookList, 08/01/1997

Gr. 3-6. The second book in the series that began with The Heart: Our Circulatory System (1996), this book features images of the human brain and nervous system accompanied by lucid text explaining their anatomy and functions. Pictures include computer-generated scans, a diagrammatic painting, and many photographs, some greatly enlarged and color enhanced. The vivid illustrations catch the eye, but the clearly written text provides a fuller understanding of what happens in various parts of the brain and nervous system. The relatively large print and generous use of white space make the text look easy, though the occasional use of white print on black pages is a bit harder to focus on. Simon's way of explaining what's happening in everyday terms enhances the book's readability. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a dramatic portrait of what Simon calls "the control center for everything you do." ((Reviewed Aug. 1997)) -- Carolyn Phelan. Booklist, published by the American Library Association.

Kirkus Reviews, 07/15/1997

What does a neuron look like up close? Simon (The Heart, 1996, etc.) provides a computer-colored micrograph of neurons taken by an electron microscope magnified 20,000 times. He goes on to explain how billions and billions of neurons link up the body network nervous system connecting brain and nerves throughout the body, making thought, memory, movement, and other functions possible. The author includes information on new scientific equipment and techniques in a difficult text that requires careful, repeated reading, e.g., ""This positron computed tomography (PCT) photo uses radioactive tracers in blood sugar to show two different levels of visual stimulation in the brain."" Full-color photographs, computer simulations, drawings, and three-dimensional models are used to grand effect to clarify, explain, and celebrate the remarkably complex system of brain and nerves; the large format, often with white type on black paper and full-page photos, is visually striking. Those who persevere (with no glossary or index to guide them) will appreciate this fascinating title, a case in which the picture-book format works perfectly to complement text with illustrations, but by no means indicates simplicity. Copyright 2003, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved

CONNECTIONS

This is a good book to use as a supplement to teach science to ESL students and young children.

Get students to check out and read on their own different series from the school or public libraries.

Other books about the body by Simon Seymour

Bones. Our Skeletal System. 9780688146450

Eyes and Ears. 9780688153045

Muscles. Our Muscular System. 9780688146436

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