The shinbone's connected to the ankle bone. The stomach's connected to the small intestine. The gluteus maximus is connected to the gluteus medius.
Readers of "Dr. Frankenstein's Human Body Book," by Richard Walker, will learn those facts and more as they are enlisted as assistants to the fabled scientist in his attempt to create "a living breathing human being."
Subtitled "The Monstrous Truth About How Your Body Works," this engaging treatment comes from the editorial consultant and author of Dorling Kindersley's "Encyclopedia of the Human Body."
Pair the Frankenstein book with nonfiction master Seymour Simon's latest, "The Human Body," and youngsters can become near experts in the most interesting subject of all - themselves. Both books are new in bookstores.
Walker's book is the more detailed. The holographic heart embedded in a soft cover, along with the monster theme, are attention-grabbers. But don't be fooled. The information within is substantial and fascinating.
After a fun introduction titled, "Dr. Frankenstein's masterplan," Walker methodically explains how to build a body, beginning with the raw materials: atoms, molecules, cells, DNA and proteins.
Next comes the skeleton, with the extra-important parts, such as hands and skull getting their own spreads.
"Thanks to some sterling work, we have now put the 206 bones in place, together with joints and ligaments, to make an entire skeleton," he writes. "With this movable scaffolding in position, anything is possible."
It's all covered after that: brain, nervous system, eyes, ears, muscles, mouth, throat, internal organs. Walker's prose is clear, lively and straightforward as he explains how each body part and system work.
The book's design is attractive with many small insets that add detail. The pages are heavy cardboard, so it will hold up to heavy browsing.
Illustrations by Nick Abadzis are nearly photographic in their clarity and detail. Some photos are included.
One of the last images in the book is a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). Walker spends the last two pages explaining how various body imaging methods work.
There's a detailed index and glossary.
"The Human Body" is the latest gorgeous title from award-winning science author Simon, who has written more than 200 books for young readers.
Starting with the integumentary system (skin, nails and hair), Simon describes the 12 major systems that create a person.
His writing is descriptive and easy to understand.
"Ligaments link bones together at joints," he writes. "Ligaments are very strong and hold bones together so that they can barely move."
Most illustrations are breathtaking close-up images. There's a very cool cross-section of the outermost layer of epidermis - or skin.
There's a glossary, index and further explanation of the images.
---
(c) 2008, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.