Poo! What Is That Smell?: Everything You Ever Needed to Know About the Five Senses

Gr 4–6—Have you heard of the fifth taste sense, umami? Do you know how sharks detect blood in the water? Do you know which creatures lack hearing organs? Readers will learn the answers to these questions and more in this engaging and well-written title that breaks down each of the five senses, providing basic scientific information and facts that kids will enjoy. Murphy goes into detail about each sense, adding intriguing examples and employing an accessible, humorous tone that should resonate with even reluctant readers. Humorous black-and-white illustrations enhance the kid appeal, and helpful diagrams shed light on difficult-to-understand concepts. However, the book is marred slightly by the lack of an index, making it more ideal for browsers than for those completing research for school assignments. Fans of similar titles by Murphy, such as Why Is Snot Green?: And Other Extremely Important Questions (and Answers) (2007) and How Loud Can You Burp?: And Other Extremely Important Questions (and Answers) (2009, both Roaring Brook) will enjoy this creative and attention-grabbing look at the five senses.—Katy Charles, Virgil Elementary School, Cortland, NY