Review: To Burp or Not to Burp by Dr. Dave Williams and Loredana Cunti

To Burp or Not to Burp

(A Guide to Your Body in Space)

Written by Dr. Dave Williams and Loredana Cunti

Illustrated by Theo Krynauw

October 11, 2016

Annick Press

Source: from pub for review

Find out what happens to your body in space—from someone who’s been there.

Of all the questions astronauts are asked by kids, the most frequent one is “How do you go to the toilet in space?” This book not only answers that question, but many others about the effect of zero gravity on the human body: How do you brush your hair in space? What happens when you sweat? What does food taste like? The best thing is that the answers are provided by someone who speaks from first-hand experience: Dr. Dave Williams, a NASA astronaut who has accomplished three space walks.

Using age-appropriate language, this book explains the different phenomena that astronauts encounter during a mission. The bright, colorful pages, short blocks of text accompanied by photos (many of which were taken by Dr. Dave during his space missions), and humorous illustrations make this a very attractive choice for young readers. The opening message from Dr. Dave empowers kids to follow his example by believing in themselves and following their dreams.

Goodreads / Amazon

Praise

“Riveting reading for junior astronauts—and just about everybody else.” —Kirkus Reviews, *starred review, 08/01/16

“A great purchase for schools and libraries that serve students interested in space travel and the grosser aspects of life in orbit.” —School Library Journal, 10/16

“… learning about the challenges to the human body present interesting opportunities for STEM-related problem-solving opportunities.”—Booklist, 09/14/16

“[A] must-read for those future space explorers and kids curious about how the human body works in space.”—Captain Scott Kelly USN (Ret) Former NASA Astronaut

“… a great book for reluctant readers, especially those interested in space or space travel.” —A Window into Books, 07/09/16

To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space is an amusing and engaging exploration of the unexpected, unusual, and uncanny things that happen to the body in space. From burps, farts, number ones and number twos, and everything in between, this book covers it all!

Through age appropriate, yet completely factual information, a humorous voice, and fun illustrations, To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space will keep young readers thoroughly engaged and entertained. Dr. Dave Williams, a NASA astronaut, provides fascinating first hand-experience answers to questions kids often have about space (how do you go to the bathroom?!). Science, technology, biology, and more, all collide to offer young readers incredible insight into and information about life in space.

The layout of To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space, with its short blocks of text, colorful an silly illustrations, and awesome photos taken in space, create an eye-catching and captivating reading experience.

With fun, educational material and a pitch-perfect voice and layout, To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space will intrigue, impress, and inspire young readers!

DR. DAVE WILLIAMS made two flights on the Space Shuttle and performed three spacewalks on the International Space Station. He also lived and worked in the world’s only underwater ocean laboratory to become Canada’s first dual astronaut and aquanaut. He is currently the CEO of a hospital just outside Toronto.

LOREDANA CUNTI is a writer and producer of children’s entertainment. A mother of two, she lives in Toronto developing ideas for food, family, and fiction.