Wonderful Life with the Elements

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.

"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

• PrefaceChapter 1: Elements in the Living RoomChapter 2: The Super Periodic Table of the ElementsChapter 3: Element Cartoon CharactersChapter 4: How to Eat the ElementsChapter 5: The Elements CrisisAfterword