'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 6 December 2020

Review: Grow: Secrets of Our DNA

What is DNA and how does it work?

Grow: Secrets of Our DNA is a simple explanation of this scientific concept which is responsible for the growth of all living things.

Written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Emily Sutton, it's pitched at early primary aged children (although also suitable for all ages) and explores size, speed and change, amongst other things.

For example, the speed of growth differs from species to species. Some plants and creatures grow fast, while others are super slow (Quahog clams can take up to 500 years!).

After starting with broad environmental examples, the book moves onto the growth of human beings, and how the instructions for our development (from the time we're as small as a tiny dot) are written in the code of our individual DNA.

DNA can be complex, and Grow offers a basic description of DNA and the four kinds of 'steps' that come in many and varied orders to create our spiral shaped DNA ladder.

Grow shows how our DNA creates our different looks, and connects us to our ancestors going back over many years.

An excellent book for children and adults, Grow: Secrets of Our DNA offers a great introduction that makes sense to those with or without scientific background. 

Title: Grow: Secrets of Our DNA
Author: Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Publisher: Walker Books, $24.99
Publication Date: April 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781406382778
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction