Your Skin and Mine

Your Skin and Mine is written by Paul Showers. This is a good informational read for younger children learning about skin. The book covers information regarding skin color, fingerprints, fingernails, toenails, and melanin. I like how Showers goes into detail about a particular skin topic and then gives the children an activity or example to which they could easily relate. For example, Showers talks about fingertips and how they are made up of loops and ridges in your skin. He says everyone has different fingerprints. Then, Showers suggests an activity for children to do so they are able to see their fingerprints. He says to dip your fingers in paint and press the tips onto paper in order to see the design of your fingerprints. I also found the illustrations useful when he showed how Mary, Mark, and Henry all have different fingerprints. There are diagrams and illustrations of the kids performing the suggested activities. Overall, I think kids would enjoy reading this book especially if the activities are incorporated into the lesson.