"Dr. Steven Cunningham's new book of poems about the human body, Poemenclature, is loaded with humor, facts, and fancy, along with some whimsical color illustrations by Susan Detwiler. In addition to human anatomy, the poems reference diseases and doctor's tools. Enjoy it!"
- Douglas Florian
In this playful second book by Dr. Steven Clark Cunningham, we are again served up a fun and healthy collection of bite-sized treats that both educate and entertain. Following in the Jurassic footsteps of his award-winning book "Dinosaur Name Poems," the current poems share the motif of using the names of things (nomenclature) to introduce topics that otherwise may be unfamiliar (as in the poem "Sphygmomanometer") or even a little scary (like in "Cancer" or "Anesthesia"). The lyrical nature of the poems and the vibrant warmth of the illustrations give each topic the traction needed to get kids reading right into the poems and on through the "Learn More!" sections that follow each poem.
Excerpt
Bones
A person’s bones,
Much more than telephones,
Shiny stones, or brass trombones,
(even pistachio ice cream cones)
Are one of the most useful things
That a person owns.
...
Professional Reviews
Loaded with humor, facts, and fancy
"Dr. Steven Cunningham's new book of poems about the human body, Poemenclature, is loaded with humor, facts, and fancy, along with some whimsical color illustrations by Susan Detwiler. In addition to human anatomy, the poems reference diseases and doctor's tools. Enjoy it!"
- Douglas Florian, author of Dinothesaurus (2009), a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, a Horn Book Fanfare List selection and a Junior Library Guild selection; Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs (2005), a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; and Gryphon Award-winner and Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year Bow Wow Meow Meow (2003).
Exciting and worthwhile addition to literature for kids
This is an exciting and worthwhile addition to literature for kids, particularly if they spend a lot of time around medicine. The poems are fun to read and convey a lot of information. The “Learn More!” section on each topic is wonderful. The illustrations are lively, accurate, and often amusing.
- Sue Poduska Creator of GradeReading.net, a suite of blogs for reviews of children's literature.
A perfect introduction into the complex world of organs, disease, and the tools needed
Poemenclature: Poems About Your Body, is a perfect introduction into the complex world of organs, disease, and the tools needed for and diagnosing and treating many serious childhood conditions. Using playful poems and “Learn More!” sections on each page, Dr. Cunningham breaks down these topics in a way that children and their parents alike can understand. Susan Detwiler's charming and clever illustrations further enhance and explain the text in ways that children can relate to. As a former neo-natal and pediatric nurse, now children’s book author- illustrator and mom to three children, I believe this book would make an excellent addition and resource for school classrooms, doctor’s offices, and any parent looking for books to explain these serious topics in a very child-friendly way.
- Joan Waites, ilustrator of What's New at the Zoo? An Animal Adding Adventure and many other children's books (2009) and recipient of the Teacher’s Choice Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, and numerous others.
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