Sarah Albee

My new book, POOP HAPPENED! A HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM THE BOTTOM UP comes out on May 11th. It’s for kids ages 8 and up, and is about the history of toilets and sanitation and how societies from ancient times to the present day have had to confront the vexing problem of how to deal with their “waste.” It is published by Walker Books.

Here’s a review from School Library Journal:

Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom Up

“This self-proclaimed “number one book on number two” takes readers inside the fascinating world of excrement, ranging across the historical spectrum from “Hellenic Hygiene” to “How Do Astronauts Use the Toilet in Space?” Albee’s focus is not only on bodily functions, but also on the larger public-health challenges created by mass urbanization in the ancient and modern world as well as the ability of societies to deal with these problems, which provides readers with an excellent introduction to social history. With a focus on the Western world in general and England in particular, the author touches on an array of topics from diseases such as cholera and plague to the development of increased sanitation in large urban areas such as London. The exciting format is comprised of a two-color (pastel green and blue) layout with numerous illustrations and photos. Interesting sidebars describe occupations and “hygiene heroes” such as Edwin Chadwick and bathroom fashion. The fluid writing style that ensnares and holds readers’ attention from beginning to end. By bringing history alive, this captivating work is without a doubt an essential purchase.”–School Library Journal

Here’s the trailer. I can’t figure out how to hyperlink it so I’m afraid you have to cut and paste it into your browser.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA4voM1WOCk

And here’s the cover: