Breathe in, Breathe Out: Learning about Your Lungs Book

An introduction to the lungs and how they function.

Carol Raker Collins, Ph.D. - Children's Literature

Here is a simple explanation in "The Amazing Body" series of how the breathing apparatus works. From the nose or mouth, down the windpipe (trachea), through one of two tubes into each lung goes air. The air passes through soft bronchial tubes and branches off into bronchioles until it stops at the alveoli or tiny air sacs. Through the wall of the alveoli pass blood cells which take oxygen from this air into the body and return carbon dioxide back into the tubes to pass out of the nose or mouth. With the help of the diaphragm (a muscle), the lungs expand to pull the air in and contract to push it out. In sidebars, there are a few interesting facts, such as you breathe about 20 times a minute when resting or blood is bluish purple when full of carbon dioxide. Asthma, a disease, and smoking, which can cause cancer, are mentioned. The illustrations are mostly clear except that there are blue circular objects in the lungs that are not identified. A few tests are recommended at the end, such as counting the number of breaths it takes to fill a balloon. It would help to have a test to demonstrate the movement of the diaphragm since this muscle is hard to feel. A doctor's stethoscope is described. Glossary, resource list, and index are included. Children will learn the basics of breathing in this book. 2004, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 9.