With an understanding of how much fun life without vegetables, gravity, and other ubiquitous things would be to children, these titles in the You Wouldn't Want to Live Without series introduce science concepts in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Cartoon illustrations enhance the effect as the amusing but scientifically sound text explains how these objects (or force, in the case of gravity) work; what scientists have learned about them; their pros and cons; and how, ultimately, we really do need them. Poop considers the dangers of poor sanitation (an unfortunately stereotyped illustration of a Third World city reflects this) as well as how animals and humans use poop (e.g., marking territory and fertilizing crops), and how it affects the environment. The books feature a time line and numerous ancillaries, but the myriad entertaining facts are the real hit. Who wouldn't want to read them?