The Circulatory Story

Simple, humorous text and comic illustrations explain the basics of the circulatory system - the systemic, pulmonary, and coronary circuits. Readers follow a red blood cell on its journey through the body, and in the process learn how the body combats disease, performs gas exchanges, and fights plaque.
Reading Level: Grade 3-6

Reviews:
Showing why “it’s great to circulate,” the author and illustrator of The Quest to Digest (2006) take young readers on an equally engaging ride through the heart, lungs, arteries, veins, capillaries, and back again. In the big, labeled cartoon illustrations a small, green Shmoo-like creature rides a red blood cell down a river of plasma (“YEE HAW!”), “passes gas” to a body cell in exchange for a bag of CO2, sits back to watch as white blood cells and platelets race to a skinned knee, then threateningly wards off a cheeseburger and other fatty, arterial plaque–causing foods. Corcoran’s breezy commentary lays out the whole 60,000-mile system in easy-to-understand terms, giving readers a chance to add words like erythrocyte, leukocyte, and sino-atrial node to their personal lexicons and closing with well-chosen books and Web sites to spur further investigation. An irresistible invitation to go with the flow. Booklist

Mary Corcoran takes the body's circulatory system and makes it understandable for young readers. Relying on Jef Czekaj's cartoon-style illustrations, the author explains how the blood cells travel throughout the body and how blood works. The "inside" story begins in the heart and then progresses through the veins and blood vessels as oxygen is delivered to all the parts of the body so they can function properly. Along the way children eight years of age and older will learn about hemoglobin, atria, ventricles, valves, and capillaries as well as red and white blood cells. A splendid and totally comprehensible way to introduce the reader to the circulatory system, this Junior Library Guide selection uses humor to tell a very important story. Book Ideas

The Circulatory Story has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection for 2010.