Grossology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grossology (ISBN 0-201-40964-X) is a non-fiction children’s book written by Sylvia Branzei and published by Planet Dexter in 1995. It is a frank, thorough, yet light-hearted examination of various unappealing bodily functions and medical conditions. The topics are organized into three categories: “Slimy Mushy Oozy Gross Things,” (vomit, diarrhea, urine, acne, blisters, etc.); “Crusty Scaly Gross Things,” (dandruff, tooth decay, etc.); and “Stinky Smelly Gross Things,” (halitosis, flatulence, etc.). The text is also accompanied by many humorous illustrations, which were provided by Jack Keely.
Grossology spawned several sequels, most notably Animal Grossology (ISBN 0-201-95994-1) and Grossology Begins at Home (ISBN 0-201-95993-3), both written and illustrated by Branzei and Keely. Animal Grossology, published in 1996, is an exploration of various organisms that either produce or consume unappealing substances. It is divided into four sections: “Vomit Munchers” (flies, starfish, etc.); “Blood Slurpers” (leeches, ticks, etc.); “Slime Makers” (hagfish, slime mold, sea cucumbers, etc.); and “Dookie Lovers” (tapeworms, dung beetles, etc.). Grossology Begins at Home, published in 1997, focuses on the hidden germs and unseen pests that thrive in a typical house. One of the highlights of this book is a chapter on Defect Action Levels, the acceptable amounts of animal contaminants and insect parts that can be found in foods. The book also teaches children how to grow their own bacteria.
Grossology has also inspired a CD-ROM (Virtual Grossology), a highly popular traveling exhibition, and a children's television series.
Contents |
[edit] TV Series
Grossology debuted in the year 2006 and is currently airing as part of the YTV programming block in Canada and also on Discovery Kids. It is animated using the emerging software Toonboom Harmony.
[edit] Plot
Ty and Abby are a brother and sister crime-fighting team who report to the super secret government Department of Grossology. Each episode of the series follows the dynamic pair on stomach-turning adventures based on real scientific facts. Aided by the infamous Lab Rat, Ty and Abby face criminals like Sloppy Joe – the world’s filthiest thief and Lance Boil – a former Grossologist turned evil.
Based on the best-selling book series, Grossology ignites the investigative mind while delivering comedy and an overdose of breakneck adventure. Grossology mixes crime-solving adventure, gross science facts, and wacky comedy against a lavish environment of surprising artistic integrity.
[edit] Major Characters
Ty- is a hard kid to faze. His cool, analytical mind takes everything in. He sees himself as a scientist and he takes his job very seriously, too seriously if you listen to Abby. In his mind, science is everything, and his goal is to be remembered with the very best in his field.
Abby- As a Grossologist, Abby unravels mysteries so disgusting no adult will touch them. She LOVES everything gross and slimy – nothing grosses her out. Abby likes to test her limits to see if there is something so gross, so slimy, so disgusting, that it will make even her, the Queen of Squeam, turn green. So far nothing has come close.
Lab Rat- Paul Squirfenherder is one weird kid. He spends so much time doing experiments that it earned the nickname “Lab Rat”. His impressive inventory of hi-tech gadgets and encyclopedic knowledge make him invaluable to the team.
Sloppy Joe- After discovering that a whiff of his stink was enough to render people unconscious, Joe vowed to never let a drop of water, soap, or deodorant touch his skin again, and turned to an easy life of crime. His plan: go from filthy, to filthy rich!
Insectiva- She was once a promising young university student who wanted to study bugs – until she discovered how insects are treated by science; captured and dissected! Now, armed with all sorts of bugs, arachnids, and other creepy-crawlies, she pursues an insect agenda – wipe all people off the planet so bugs can rule again!
Lance Boil- He was once a successful Grossologist, but grew tired of the grind. After quitting the team, he decided to use his skills to evil, with one goal in his twisted head – revenge against all Grossologists! - especially Abby and Ty.
Fartor- Fifteen years ago, he was just an ordinary kid. That was until his brother Gary tortured him by stuffing his brother under the bedsheets and farting in there. During those fifteen years, he became adapted to breathing the gases in farts. Like a fish out of water, clean air is toxic for him, so he breathes toxic gases in a dome that he wears on his body. There was only one thing Fartor wanted - revenge on his brother Gary.
[edit] Trivia
Lab Rat has a pet rat named Hermes. In the episode "Fartzilla", a robotic version of Hermes was used to break into the school cafeteria in order for Ty and Abby to investigate.
