From its attention-grabbing title to its lively, inclusive illustrations, this is a book which will instantly attract young readers to pick it up and, once opened, they will be completely engaged by this first-rate explanation of genetics. The concept of every individual thing having its own recipe is one that is firmly anchored in what young children can understand from their own lived experience and the facts are quite literally mind-boggling and certainly added to my own knowledge. It had (foolishly) never really occurred to me that we would have genetic links to plants or that a grain of rice could have more genes than a human being. Explaining about “bossy” dominant genes, and what genetic characteristics we share with other creatures and then what percentage we share (99 % with chimps of course) leads to an understanding of how alike we all are- we are 99.9% identical to every other human on earth and yet we are all uniquely ourselves.
This is not just an important scientific concept beautifully explained, but, through words and images, it carries the message of understanding, empathy and tolerance for others. An essential addition to school and home libraries.
A brilliantly funny first guide to genetics that is perfect for children aged 5 years and over.
This stunningly illustrated book will boggle your brain with astonishing facts, as it shows how we're all related to every living thing on the planet. Did you know that a grain of rice has more genes than you? Or that you're related to dogs, dung beetles and even daffodils? Luckily, even though you're 99.9% like a chimpanzee, you're still 100% YOU!
The extraordinary world of genetics has never been explained so simply. You'll be amazed at what makes you YOU.
Susie Brooks has a first class history of art degree and has worked as an editor and writer of children's non-fiction and picture books for over ten years. She's an artist herself and sometimes runs art workshops with young children. She lives in Edinburgh.
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