Cells

It’s hard to imagine, but each of the trillions of human cells in our bodies operates like a little “mini-me”: it gathers fuel, creates energy, grows, reproduces, and even dies – just like we do. Much more than just the “building blocks” that our bodies are made of, cells control every single function of the human body and every last human characteristic, like height and hair color, that makes us who we are. Cells, for kids who are curious about how our bodies do what they do, spells out these important tasks in fun and fascinating detail; they’ll learn about the major differences between plant and animal cells, as well as get a close-up look at the “organs” that power each one.

In Cells, kids will also get to meet the “rock star” of cell science – DNA – which determines the individual traits that make each person unique, and also shows up on TV and in real police work as the incontrovertible evidence that matches the correct criminal to the crime. Then it’s time for a lesson in how cells divide and multiply through mitosis and meiosis, followed by a journey through groundbreaking moments in cell research throughout history. But the real drama is saved for the very end: when Dolly the sheep makes an appearance in a discussion about the high hopes and hazards of cloning other animals – and possibly humans – in the near future.