Ick! Yuck! Eew!

Reach for this book when you want to bridge the gap between a child's love for gross-out humor and their budding interest in history. It is perfect for the middle-grade reader who resists traditional, dry history texts but finds themselves endlessly fascinated by the weird, smelly, and visceral aspects of human life. By focusing on the 'stinky' side of the American past, the book transforms historical study into an engaging, relatability-driven experience. Through a series of well-researched vignettes, the book explores the lack of modern plumbing, the evolution of soap, and the creative ways our ancestors managed bodily functions. While it leans into the humor of 'yuck,' it also fosters a deep sense of gratitude for modern science and hygiene. It is developmentally appropriate for ages 8 to 12, offering a lighthearted but educational lens on how social norms and public health have evolved over centuries.