Let me tell you how funny my five year old son thought this book was. He could not even get through the title without giggling up a storm and he certainly found some of the facts fascinating and some hilarious. This book is sure to get the attention of preschool and lower elementary students for sure. They will go for the title and giggles, but they will stay for the fascinating facts. It's a fun way to talk about an everyday topic.

I love the concept of getting kids interested in science through the use of fun, unique, and often gross facts, and I often use such techniques to get kids excited about science. Having read many a book on the topic, I may have had my expectations too high for Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers. The book does have colorful photographs and addresses some fun topics, but overall it seemed lacking for me compared to other similar books on the market. The book didn't seem to flow well and missed out on some great opportunities to address really interesting aspects of the animals mentioned. My young co-reviewers felt similarly and mentioned several books that they much preferred over this one, along with their reasons why. Your mileage may vary depending on how versed you are with the subject matter.

Children are often attracted to the weird and unknown. Blowholes, Book GIlls, and Butt-Breathers will definitely be a favorite with elementary children. The vivid pictures and engaging text will have them coming back for more.

Let's be honest: most kids are going to pick this book up solely on the strength of the term "butt-breathers". It makes us giggle or blush. If they read it, though, they're going to get a solid education how different creatures breathe. Informative without becoming dry.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book goes under my gross-disgusting things that kids like. Interesting facts about butts, what more could a kid ask for.

Full of interesting information paired with great photographs and beautiful illustrations! I learned some things I didn't know before from this book and I'm sure kids are going to be drawn into the writing style, information, and images.

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: The Strange Ways Animals Get Oxygen by Doug Wechsler is currently scheduled for release on December 7 2021. This is the latest installment of the How Nature Works series.

Explores a question unasked by any other book for young readers: What can we learn about nature and evolution from the bizarre and exotic ways some animals have evolved to get life-giving oxygen? It is an inquiry-based book designed to stimulate active minds; a STEM offering from a celebrated nature photographer and writer, featuring some spectacular nature photography. Weird and wonderful, as only nature can be!

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers is more straightforward and scientifically presented that I expected from the title and illustrated cover. I was expecting more puns and jokes about the more unusual ways animals get their needed oxygen. I started the book expecting it to be an easy, fluffy read, and was happily surprised to see some detailed explanations about how bodies use oxygen, and just why it is such an important part of life on this planet. I found the information to be well written and accessible to the middle grade and older crowd. There are moments that might give readers the giggles, because of the subject matter. I found the photographs to be extremely well done, and their placement helps keep the reader's focus and attention on the subject matter. I loved that the author included a glossary and list of materials foe further reading. That always makes my geeky little heart happy.

What a fun way to learn about how some animals breathe. What kid (or even adult) wouldn't be interested in a book with this title. Information is interesting and is well photographed.

A fun and educational book for kids all about how animals breathe. Each page features a wonderful picture and information about breathing including less common ways of breathing. A very engaging educational book for kids!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Super cool science book. My 8yo thought this book was “so awesome” I mean not to spoil anything but I mean a butt breathing turtle totally won him over. This book teaches the kids a lesson while being silly. A win win to this mom.

This is a well written informational book based on the premise that animals need oxygen. It does a good job of putting the information into an easily understood format. Kids will love some of the strange ways that animals breathe, and will also like the many explanatory photographs.