Squibs—Inside: Cells, DNA, & Adaptation

This excellent title in the multi-volume Squibs DVD series serves up a collection of two-to-three-minute “music videos” and a few animated sketches, each of which tackles a particular aspect of cellular biology, including animal and plant cells, cell reproduction, life processes, and genetics. The professionally-produced songs for the videos are incredibly creative, drawing on musical styles ranging from alternative and techno to jazz and reggae, while the catchy lyrics manage to incorporate plenty of relevant vocabulary and solid facts without extra fluff (a bit of a challenge—you try coming up with rhymes such as “mucus” and “Golgi apparatus”). The animation is also presented in a variety of styles, so the look of the program is constantly changing. Even though the content is fairly advanced—for example, the section on heredity moves far beyond basic Mendelian genetics—this DVD will definitely appeal to younger viewers as well, challenging their scientific knowledge as they sing along to “girl, your phenotype is showing!” Other titles among the nine released so far include: In Space: Earth, Moon, Sun, & Beyond; In Force: Gravity, Friction, & Work and In the Body: Organs, Health & Nutrition. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: I, J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)