The Skin You’re In

The Secrets of Skin

by Melissa Stewart

Benchmark Books, 2010

for Grades 3 to 5

ISBN 978–0‑76144–169‑4

Purchase this book at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.

The lively, conversational tone and blend of photos and cartoon-style art make The Skin You’re In: The Secrets of Skin a perfect blend of fun facts and serious science learning about your body’s outermost layer. Here at last—a book that’s irreverent enough to captivate young readers, yet authoritative enough to win the praise of teachers, librarians, and parents.

Honors and Awards

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator/Anna Cross Giblin Nonfiction Research Grant

Reviews

“The Gross and Goofy Body [series of books] enlivens physiology for kids, offering humorous yet scientific surveys of body functions in just under 50 pages each. Kids in grades 2–4 will find [these books] appealing and fun. Each blends photos with fun cartoons and photos of kids, along with plenty of basic physiology.” (Children’s Bookwatch)

“Despite its irreverent moniker, the Gross and Goofy Body series offers detailed science facts in a fashion approachable enough to make it a welcome supplement to school textbooks. Each volume takes on a part or function of the body and then goes through the paces of description, metaphor, examples, data, and, most extensively, comparison to our animal counterparts. … the layout is fresh, clean, and colorful, sidebars keep things conversational, and the back matter is solid.” (Booklist)

Behind the Book

“By the time I started working on this book, all the kids in my life — my six nieces and nephews, my friends’ children, the kids in my neighborhood — knew that I was working on this series. It’s thanks to their interest and suggestions that this book contains so much great information.

“I had a long conversation about snake skins with a third-grader from Lowell, Massachusetts, and a boy I tutor reminded me that polar bears have black skin. Not long ago, a friend’s child asked me why his fingers were wrinkly after a bath. And my nephew insisted that I include noogies.

“But I didn’t steal all the ideas in this book from kids I know. I also read plenty of medical textbooks, journal articles and pieces in popular science magazines. Then I wove together all the fascinating facts to create this book.”