Not too long ago I had to have a new toilet installed ... it seemed to get me started on this book trail. (There have been other similar entries such as The Great Stink (March 29, 2014 and the one on outhouses, etc. from April 5, 2014).

What a surprise Flush! The Scoop on Poop Throughout the Ages, by Charise Mericle Harper was! It really is the history of toilets, but it's told in verse! Witty and fun. ;-)

For a more serious, detailed look at the, um, heart of the matter, and covering a broad spectrum of species, there's Poop: a Natural History of the Unmentionable, by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Neal Layton. Not a bad little history book actually, with just enough information (it is a kid's book after all) but not too much.

Think only bones become fossils? Find out just what else can become a fossil, where (or perhaps who) it comes from, and just what can be learned from it in Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and Others) Left Behind, by Jacob Berkowitz, and illustrated by Steve Mack. Learn what it looks like and where to find it. And, if that's not enough fun, there's a recipe for making coprolite. (That's the official word for fossilized poop) ;-)

Turns out, alligators in sewers is really just an urban myth (too cold, too germy), but there are lots of rats. Find out more in Sewers and the Rats That Love Them: the Disgusting Story Behind Where It All Goes, by Kelly Regan Barnhill.

And, just because I enjoy word play I am including Sew Me! Sewing Basics: Simple Techniques and Projects for First-Time Sewers, by Choly Knight. (Italics are mine). This is a book for all ages and looks like a good way to get started in sewing. The directions looked clear and easy to follow, but to be honest, I did not actually try. ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog