Jessica's X-Ray
Kindergarten-Grade 2-A young girl breaks her arm and must have an X ray.  Later, while waiting for her cast to dry, she goes on a tour of  the hospital and learns about other forms of body imaging,  including CAT scans, ultrasound, and MRIs. The text briefly  defines each test and gives an example of its use. For example,  readers are told that an MRI employs a big magnet to take  pictures that show tissue normally hidden behind bone; a  tipped-in film of a head is included. Overall, six images  printed on film are integrated into the book. With each one,  questions are posed to help readers identify the different parts  of each picture, be it skull, brain, ribs, or heart. Pale,  delicate pencil-and-watercolor sketches help carry the text  along and show the setting for each test and the equipment used.  In question-and-answer format, the final two pages further  define the imaging methods and explain why one would be chosen  over another. Despite the rudimentary level of the illustrations  and the text, the book is useful as an introduction to these  complex medical procedures. Of course, Jessica leaves the  hospital smiling.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library,  Traverse City, MICopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.