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above: spread illustration… The DNA coding within each and every one of your billions of cells act as the building blocks that make you -both on the inside and the outside.
The Secret Code Inside You -all about your DNA (nonfiction) written by Rajani LaRocca, MD & illustrated by Steven Salerno.
Rhyming text explaining cells, DNA and genetics in a fun, simple way for children to easily understand. While DNA may be the blueprint for how a person looks, what you choose to do with your body and mind is entirely up to you!
released in 2021 by Little Bee Books.
“This whimsical approach to explaining the concept of DNA, cells, and chromosomes manages to make a complex topic accessible to preschoolers. The rhyming text is easily readable, even when dealing with complicated terminology. Salerno's soft-edge and colorful illustrations bring these hard-to-visualize concepts to life.” -School Library Journal
“Dynamic and eye-catching illustrations -emphasize the difference between genetic coding and each person’s unique choices. “[DNA] makes the color of your eyes, / but YOU choose where to look: / at butterflies or sunset skies, / or even at this book.” -Kirkus Reviews
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above: front & back cover of The Secret Code Inside You -all about DNA
The front cover montage consisting of details from various illustrations within the picture book. And the back cover is a portrait of one of the characters, her pigtails like DNA strands and the ribbons as chromosomes…
released in 2021 by Little Bee Books
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above: Boy confronts shark! -a vignette illustration for the line of text, “Why aren’t you finny like a fish, or grinny like a shark?”
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above: the DNA coding within cells of a cub make it grow into a GREAT BIG BEAR!
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above: chicks, lamb, kangaroo, and a sequence illustration of a growing boy… from fetus to skateboarding enthusiast.
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above: Girl struggling to keep up with her dog… illustration for the text, “There’s a secret code inside you, a code called DNA. A code that tells your body’s cells what they should do each day. It looks like twisted ladders, or tiny twirling noodles. It makes us into people, instead of into poodles!”
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above: endpapers pattern of stylized DNA strands
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above: detail of an illustration, a boy deciding that with his body he wants to lift weights.