Wonderful Life with the Elements - by Bunpei Yorifuji (Mixed Media Product)

About the Book

A translation of Genso Seikatsu, published by Kagaku Dojin Publishing Company, Inc., 2009.

Book Synopsis

From the brilliant mind of Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji comes Wonderful Life with the Elements, an illustrated guide to the periodic table that gives chemistry a friendly face.

In this super periodic table, every element is a unique character whose properties are represented visually: heavy elements are fat, man-made elements are robots, and noble gases sport impressive afros. Every detail is significant, from the length of an element's beard to the clothes on its back. You'll also learn about each element's discovery, its common uses, and other vital stats like whether it floats--or explodes--in water.

Why bother trudging through a traditional periodic table? In this periodic paradise, the elements are people too. And once you've met them, you'll never forget them.

Review Quotes

"Even the most serious chemist will enjoy seeing such illustrations as nitrogen personified floating above a stick of TNT, sporting a beard and mohawk. Playful and endearing in a way that conveys a real appreciation for the elements."
--Sam Lemonick, Chemical & Engineering News, American Chemical Society

"This book takes the boring old periodic table and enhances it, giving the elements a life and spirit of their own all while teaching readers about those elements."
--Wally Bahny, TechRepublic

"The art is both sweet and clear, with brown and yellow cartoons on uncluttered pages that pack a wallop of information."
--School Library Journal

"Yorifuji's personification worked for me. I never took chemistry in high school and so have an incomplete understanding it. Wonderful Life with the Elements gave the Periodic Table contours I was able to grasp."
--Roger Kay, Forbes.com's Endpoint Analysis Blog

"The original presentation of this material and the amusing personal touches are fantastic and turn this book into a fun, easy read."
--Adrian Woodhead, Slashdot

"The best word to describe this gem from another culture is idiosyncratic, others include informative and entertaining. A new window into the teaching of the elements. Upper school pupils will love it."
--The School Librarian

"If chemistry seems cold and unfriendly, Wonderful Life with the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified by Bunpei Yorifuji will help you get to know it better... and make you laugh out loud."
--Karen McGhee, COSMOS magazine

"A new, fascinating way to learn about the elements."
--Emma Shiells, Chemistry World

"Takes the Periodic Table and transforms it into a learning experience."
--Greg Laden, National Geographic's "ScienceBlogs"

"The astonishing attention to scientific details demonstrate a sophisticated grasp of the concepts and some serious artistic chops, but the real joy lies in Yorifuji's infectious, playful enthusiasm--bound to draw in even the most entrenched science-phobes."
--Katherine Montgomery, Shelf Awareness

"A great book for chemistry students and anyone who loves to see chemistry and comics in tandem."
--Lauren Davis, io9

"The charming micro-vignettes nudge the young reader towards that ever-marvelous space where science and whimsy intersect."
--Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

"This book would make a great gift for any aspiring young scientist or even an adult who loves to learn."
--Ruth Suehle, Wired.com's GeekMom

"It's one of the most entertaining and interesting books I've ever read--on any subject!"
--James Floyd Kelly, Wired.com's GeekDad

About the Author

Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji is well-known for his series of humorous ads for the Tokyo metro, "Do It At Home," which show riders doing inappropriate activities on the subway. He is the author of several books in Japanese, including Milk Century and The Catalogue of Death.