Knowing about the ins and outs of the human body is always important. The COVID-19 pandemic gave everyone a chance to revisit common hygiene practices. The Marshall Publishing Company produced All About the Human Body For Kids as a helpful guide for youth health.
We are introduced to Dr. Howard, who will be our human guide throughout these proceedings. Then, taking a cue from the Marvel/DC universes, we are introduced to various “superheroes” that represent the different working parts of the human body. Heart Man, Big Brain, the Lung Brothers, Super Stomach, Liver Lad, and the Kidney Twins comprise a unit known as The Super Bod Squad.
This animated film is a great treat for kids aged 7-12. It does contain a lot of information, but the illustrations and animated bits help break down these ideas in a way that makes sense for the intended audience. Big Brain takes viewers on a journey explaining the ins/outs of the nervous system. The Lung Brothers investigate the respiratory system, while Super Stomach gives a guided tour of the digestive system. The film does gloss over some…mature themes (reproductive system, anyone?) but that doesn’t take away from its entertainment value.
The use of these visuals will definitely appeal to younger viewers. The fact that this is also an educational video is just the icing on the cake (which is Super Stomach’s department). The film could work in a K-12 setting, especially for physical education teachers looking to spice up their health lessons. It could also work for an introductory first aid course, for an audience of youngsters ranging in the first-fifth grade range. It could also work for elementary and middle school science teachers trying to spice up their lesson plans.