School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Astronaut Williams will have readers entranced with this short guide to bodily functions in space. Text and photos cover how Williams and his fellow astronauts go about daily life aboard the International Space Station: how they eat, bathe, wash their hair, brush their teeth, dispose of waste, and more. There is a range of information here, from lessons on gravity to the inventive ways astronauts have to buckle in to get a good night's sleep and, yes, go to the bathroom ("It's hard to do your business when you're weightless! That's why space toilets have foot restraints that help us to stay in place."). The text and cartoon illustrations maintain a humorous edge without ever becoming too outrageous. The photos include astronauts and cosmonauts, men and women, working together in positive spirits. VERDICT A great purchase for schools and libraries that serve students interested in space travel and the grosser aspects of life in orbit.-Dorcas Hand, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston, TX © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
An ex-astronaut shares vital information about what he calls our, um, bodily functions in microgravity.Prospective space travelers can find out about astro-toilets from many guides, but with the help of co-author Loredana, Williams goes far beyond thatoffering not only frank observations about toilet facilities for men and women both aboard the International Space Station and in space suits, but measures taken to deal with constipation and farting. In addition, he offers accepted techniques for keeping body, hair, nose, and teeth clean; how to eat and sleep in space; and what to expect in the way of temporary body changes in, for instance, height and bone density. Burping, as it turns out, is a chancy business, because theres no way of telling what will come up: make sure you have a cleanup plan ready! He does leave out a few topics, notably menstruation, but along with the alimentary information, he also slips in some general facts about astronaut gear and practices. Krynauwis adds cartoon images of smiling children floating in the void to the mix of narrative blocks and photos of ISS residents at work and play. The cast, both in the photos and the cartoons, displays a range of nationalities and skin colors (including green). Riveting reading for junior astronautsand just about everybody else. (index, resource lists) (Nonfiction. 7-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Space is replete with scientific mysteries, and a new and exciting field of study involves long-term effects of life in space on the human body. Co-author Williams is an accomplished physician who has been part of several biological research space missions. Nose-picking, toilet habits, and motion sickness are some of the ickier topics that are mentioned, but the clinical and scientific effect of space travel on many of the body's organs and systems are included. Challenges such as keeping clean and getting rest are daily struggles that impact astronaut health. Several of the photographs included were taken by Williams himself during his time in space, and his personal perspective lends a relatability to the physical discomforts and health consequences of space exploration. A list of books and websites for further reading are included in the end matter. The implications for future space colonies are exciting, and learning about the challenges to the human body present interesting opportunities for STEM-related problem-solving opportunities.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2016 Booklist
