Science book #5: About nothing to do with science, about everything to do with science - "Once Upon an Ordinary Day at School" by Colin McNaughton and Satoshi Kitamura

i-3ffb3dad615d8161fde11bf6428e10d2-catalog_cover.pperl.gif

This book is a lovely piece of prose with geat artwork that looks at the power of how certain experiences, and more specifically certain teachers can provide the inspiration that ultimately makes a person who they are.

Although the book presents this theme in the context of a musical experience, I found it generally a good colourful parable on the simple power of educational opportunities, or experiences. For me, it's like the blue whale - if you're lucky, there are certain things that can really excite you, set your course, open your mind, you know - just let you be you. One of these days, it might be interesting to query how many other scientists have their own blue whale, that vivid memory that turned them on to science, that person that created the initial buzz; or whether at the end of it all it was just something of convenience that led them to their careers.

Anyway, I also happen to be a big fan of Satoshi Kitamura. His artwork is really cool. In fact, ideally, it's the sort of thing that would work well with the inkling of an idea I have right now for a Children's Book. This is, of course, if he was interested in working with a geneticist (do you think he'd be interested in working with a geneticist?).

i-6921aecb45da04b161aba3af52f40edb-kitamura.jpg

More like this

ELMO: Elmo is not very happy today. Elmo is sad. That is why Elmo is here to see you Mr. Geneticist. GENETICIST: Tell me, little one. Why are you so sad? ELMO: Elmo thinks he has a hand up his ass. Elmo wanders if Mr. Geneticist can make it go away.
OLD MACDONALD: Do you want to buy some beef? GENETICIST: If the beef is not tainted with mad cow, then I would be very much interested in purchasing your beef. However, as there have been a few recent outbreaks of this disease in North America, I think I will abstain for now.
A little late on this one, but the scienceblog question of the week (of last week), reads: "Is every species of living thing on the planet equally deserving of protection?..."
(This is an oldish attempt at the "Speaks to a Geneticist" series, but was never sure if it was on or not) - - - BONO: Why am I so weary?