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(3)
K-3
Disgusting Critters series.
On the covers of these entertaining, informative volumes, readers are greeted by a smiling spider ("Howdy!") or louse ("Hey there!"). The texts go on to provide both accurate information ("The head louse is...about the size of a sesame seed") and humorous commentary. Cartoon illustrations and speech-bubble asides--"I might be small, but to your parents I'm scarier than a lion"--enhance the kid-friendliness. Review covers these Disgusting Critters titles: Head Lice and The Spider.
(3)
K-3
A boy describes the mayhem that ensues when he catches lice. Shannon's informative and amusing text lets readers know that everyone feels embarrassed and grossed out by lice, and his gigantic, googly-eyed bugs add to both the humor and the yuck factor. This book should prove helpful for both kids and adults, but, like the back jacket warns, it will definitely "make you ITCHY!"
32 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-8803-1$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Suzanne Beaky.
School nurse Penny's three "oh-so-smart students" notice she is not her optimistic, confident self. Their faith in her inspires Penny to hold a school assembly about head lice, at which she shares an awkward secret. While the message about lice infestations is a bit heavy-handed, the bright illustrations and touches of humor convey an upbeat tone. Lice facts are appended.
197 pp.
| Dutton
| February, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-42286-0$16.99
(2)
4-6
Fifth-grader Bailey, a Maine islander, must not only cope with going to a new school on the mainland but also with the ferocious itchiness on her head: lice. Donovan crafts a solidly realistic school story with lots of humor. The island setting and background story of a Revolutionary War reenactment add interest, and both child and adult characters ring true.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-0908-1$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tammie Lyon.
Meticulously groomed Ellie is distraught to learn she has lice, but she uses the unpleasant experience to learn about lice and share the information with her friends. Cartoon drawings capture the range of Ellie's emotions as she deals with her unwelcome visitors. Her advice letter to the "kid who just found out you have lice" sums up the facts.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| July, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-689-83898-9$15.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
George Booth.
"I was scritcha-scratchin' / while a batch-a bugs / was hatchin'..." A girl describes home remedies to rid her of head lice, as suggested by various family members. Finally, she's (unrealistically) cured with a single delousing-shampoo treatment. Frenetic digitally colored ballpoint illustrations show the girl's panic and discomfort. The running top-of-page visual status report on the bugs is amusing.
(4)
K-3
Minibeasts Up Close series.
These books cover the anatomy, life cycle, and habits of insects in easy-to-read, straightforward (if somewhat flat) informational text. Clear headers help with comprehension. The close-up photos extend the text, and text boxes provide additional facts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Minibeasts Up Close titles: Ants Up Close, Bees Up Close, Cockroaches Up Close, Head Lice Up Close, Mosquitoes Up Close, and Spiders Up Close.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| August, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-439-36835-9$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Delphine Durand.
When a head louse nests in Ms. Calypso's cascading curls, soon she and her entire class are scratching away. Unfortunately, Ms. Calypso (who lives alone) is the only one who can't shampoo the lice properly from her hair until amorous Principal Trout helps her do so. The quirky characters in Durand's sophisticatedly colored cartoon illustrations are a good match for Moss's humorous text.
32 pp.
| Child's
| November, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 1-56766-634-5$$24.21
(3)
K-3
Naturebooks series.
The gross-out factor will no doubt make these popular with young readers looking for mildly shocking research topics. These well-organized books contain solid introductory information about topics such as appearance, different species, reproduction, and food. The close-up photographs make many of the subjects look appropriately monstrous. Glos., ind.
31 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| April, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1316-8$$19.90
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anne Canevari Green.
This topic is given humorous treatment in a book that looks at how lice spread and how they can be treated. In addition to basic information, a few historical facts about lice are included. The cartoonlike illustrations--of lice wearing glasses, strange hairstyles, and hats--are more silly than informative. Teachers who can find nothing else on the subject will appreciate this book. A note to parents is appended. Bib.