The following is a list of recommended books and videos that provide a wide range of reading and research resources for this unit. Collect as many as you can for your classroom science library, or provide the list to your school librarian.
This list includes books about cells and microscopy.
By Frances R. Balkwill, Mic Rolph, and Fran Balkwill. (1994, First Avenue Editions)
This informative yet humorous book explains the functions of various cells in the human body.
By Alvin Silverstein, Virginia B. Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn. (2002, 21st Century Books)
A comprehensive introduction to all things cellular, this book is an ideal reference for students interested in learning more.
By Frances R. Balkwill, Mic Rolph, and Fran Balkwill. (2001, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
This book makes children’s introduction to the many types of cells in the human body fun.
By France Bour ély. (2002, Harry N. Abrams)
A beautiful and wide-ranging collection of scanning electron microscopic images from France Bourély’ s research into these realms.
By Stephen Kramer. (2001, Houghton Mifflin Company)
These extraordinary images of the microscopic world, including some of human cells, provide a glimpse into the work of microscopists.
The list below includes recommendations for books and videos for children to use as they study the muscular and skeletal systems.
Produced by Disney Educational Productions; narrated by Bill Nye. (Released 1995)
In this video, Bill Nye covers the skeletal and muscular systems, including x-rays, how broken bones heal, and how the body’s joints work.
By Seymour Simon. (2000, Harper Trophy)
This excellent book contains amazing facts about the 206 bones that make up the skeleton. It blends exceptional full-color photographs with clear, concise text.
By Steve Parker and Philip Dowell. (2000, DK Publishing)
In this age-appropriate book, the structure and function of the human skeleton are described in detail. Comparisons are also made between the human skeleton and skeletons of other animals.
By Seymour Simon. (2000, HarperTrophy)
This book details the three kinds of muscles, their functions, and the effects of exercise on them. The text is supported by spectacular photographs and detailed drawings of muscle tissue.
By Susan Dudley Gold. (2003, Enslow Publishers, Inc.)
Beginning with a comparison of the skeleton to the frame of a house, the author describes the structure and composition of bone, muscle, and skin. Informative trivia, full-color illustrations and diagrams add interest.
By Steve Parker and Carol Ballard. (1997, Raintree Publishers)
This book explains how the skeleton and muscles work together to allow a person to move around, and lift everything from tiny objects to heavy weights.
The list below includes books and videos recommended for children to use as resources on the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems.
Produced by Disney Educational Productions; narrated by Bill Nye. (Released 1995)
This video shows how the parts of the circulatory system work together to pump blood throughout the body.
Produced by Disney Educational Productions; narrated by Bill Nye. (Released 1995)
In this thought-provoking video, some tricky optical illusions show that the brain does not always correctly interpret what it sees.
By Seymour Simon. (2001, William Morrow)
This age-appropriate book uses stunningly detailed photographs to present the brain and nervous system.
By Alvin Silverstein, Robert Silverstein, and Virginia B. Silverstein. (1997, Millbrook Press)
These full-color illustrated books explain the structure and function of the circulatory and respiratory systems. Each book contains a one-page timeline of important medical discoveries related to the system it covers. The authors also focus on ways in which students can use their understanding of the human body to maintain good health.
By Darlene R. Stille, Linda Cornwell, and Ronald W. Schwizer. (1998, Scholastic Library Publishing)
This book describes the parts of the human circulatory system and explains how and why blood is circulated throughout the body.
By Seymour Simon. (1999, Harper Trophy)
Easy-to-read text is combined with beautiful illustrations to give children a detailed look at how the heart and circulatory system function.
By Brigid Avison. (1993, Kingfisher Books)
This book for early elementary readers addresses basic physiology, such as why we have bones, why we need food, and how the body grows , in a simple question-and-answer format.
Produced by Disney Educational Productions; narrated by Bill Nye. (Released 1995)
In this video, Bill Nye explains the importance of the respiratory system as he jogs, bikes, swims, and scuba dives.
By Darlene R. Stille and Patricia J. Murphy. (1997, Scholastic Library Publishing)
This book describes the parts of the human respiratory system and explains how it brings fresh oxygen into the body and carries carbon dioxide to the lungs to be expelled.
By Jean Stangl. (2000, Franklin Watts, Inc.)
This age-appropriate book explains why reflexes occur, with illustrations to help show what is happening internally when these bodily actions take place.
By Melvin Berger and Paul Meisel. (1999, HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Simple explanations for some of the reflexes of the human body are provided in this book for elementary readers.
The books listed below offer comprehensive information on the entire human body and not just the systems involved in movement.
By Dr. Nick Graham and Richard Walker. (2000, Silver Dolphin)
This 48-page book captures the interest of young students with color photographs, pull tabs, and flaps as it introduces them to the complex functions of the human body.
By Richard Walker. (2002, DK Publishing)
Almost 900 clearly labeled and captioned full-color illustrations, photographs, models, diagrams, and electron micrographs are included in this book. It is divided into five sections: “Working Parts,” “Moving Framework,” “Control and Sensation,” “Supply and Maintenance,” and “New Generations.”
By Steve Parker. (1999, DK Publishing)
This book provides overviews of the major systems of the human body and includes simple activities that children can do on their own. Conversational in tone, it features two-page spreads with good quality full-color photographs and informative captions.
By Lawrence Lorimer. (1999, Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing)
This age-appropriate book provides a fascinating see-through view of how the human body works. With the help of intricately painted windows, students uncover the structures and systems of the human body, layer by layer, as each page is turned.