All about the gut by Dr Liz Bannister. Illus. by Beck Feiner

All About the Gut, written by Dr Liz Bannister, a paediatric gastroenterologist at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, is the third book in the All About the Body non-fiction series. Gut health is of vital importance in our society today. It is reported on frequently in the media and children today are possibly more aware of how gut health plays an important role in a healthy mind and body than they were in past years.

The book begins with the description of the gut as the engine of the body and that the gut begins at the mouth and ends at the bottom. The following pages discuss digestion in detail with clear images and accessible text. Key words are highlighted and the more challenging ones are to be found in the glossary at the back of the book. The topic of nutrients follows digestion and goes into detail about how they are necessary for growth. There is information about poos and releasing gases and microbes. The connection between the gut and mind is an important section to read and focus on.

The information presented on every double page spread is in accessible font and is well-spaced. The colourful images and diagrams add appeal to the very interesting facts shared.

This is another wonderful companion to All About the Heart and All About the Brain. A treasure trove of simplified facts to encourage young children to understand how the human body works.

Themes: Gut, Food, Science, Human Bodies.

Kathryn Beilby