The Tale of Scrawny Billy J.

Biel’s rhymes scan well throughout, and his focus on how muscles are for daily activities reinforces the idea that anyone can achieve healthy living. Dorn’s painted illustrations are the standout, depicting both the weirdness of the circus and activated muscles in every day activity. The images don’t feel like diagrams–they move the story forward in addition to highlighting anatomy.

Andrew Biel was a skinny kid convinced he had no muscles—until he accidentally discovered one under his armpit! Over the years, he learned more about muscles, wrote the best-selling textbook Trail Guide to the Body, and now uses his muscles to kayak, cross-country ski, and hike.

Robin Dorn is a painter and scientific illustrator specializing in human anatomy. She enjoys keeping in touch with her whimsical side in the company of such characters as Ms. Muscles.