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Breaking from Dogma: A Story of You by Alexandra Collin de l’Hortet (Book Review)

A science-inspired children’s book about DNA, epigenetics, and the amazing power of being you!

Ever wondered how your body knows what to do, or why you’re different from everyone else, even though we all start with the same recipe book inside?
Breaking from Dogma takes young readers on a beautifully illustrated journey inside the human cell to explore the big ideas of DNA, genes, and epigenetics, all explained in a warm, playful, and empowering way.
From cooking book metaphors to magical sticky notes, this story helps kids (and grown-ups too!) understand that who we are is shaped not just by our genes, but also by our environment, experiences, and choices.

  • Perfect for curious kids ages 4–8
  • Introduces biology, genetics, and epigenetics
  • Encourages growth mindset and self-discovery
  • Great for classrooms, family who love science, STEM, or storytime

Because nature and nurture don’t compete, they dance together to help you shine!


Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Breaking from Dogma takes readers on an enlightening journey inside the human cell to explore DNA, genes, and epigenetic, all brought to life through engaging and captivating illustrations.

Have you ever wondered how your body knows what to do or why you’re different from everyone else? You can thank your cells for that! Breaking from Dogma informs readers that their body is comprised of trillions of cells, which make up everything, including your skin! Thanks to the artist, the audience will get a magnified look at muscle, fat, and skin cells. And, as the character looks through a microscope, we get an even closer look at a cell. In the enhanced photo, we learn what is and where you’ll find a cell’s nucleus and cytoplasm. Don’t worry if kids can’t recall their meaning; there is a glossary in the end credits for every scientific word in the story, plus several more that weren’t.

Every child’s capacity to learn, understand, and retain information varies. The book’s suggested reading age is 4-8. It’s evident the author put a lot of thought into explaining genes and the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology: DNA, RNA, and proteins for this age range. The inclusion of silly, fun, and age-appropriate artwork, such as three smiling organs reading recipe books, was a nice touch. It was just what was needed to keep readers engaged.

The term “epigenetic inheritance” might sound complex, but Breaking from Dogma simplifies it beautifully. “It’s a kind of memory from our ancestors experiences. A whisper from the past, living in your cells.” While the term might be challenging for young minds to retain, they should be able to remember its meaning. Especially if shown the lovely image of the little girl holding onto an illuminated DNA as she stares in awe at her three ancestors above her head. So sweet.

Breaking from Dogma is a beautifully designed book that does a good job of breaking down how DNA and life experiences work hand in hand to shape who we are. While the illustrations are catered to 4-8-year-olds, kids in this age bracket might struggle to recall or pronounce some science terms. Therefore, I recommend reading the book more than once!

Breaking from Dogma is a must-have for elementary school classrooms, homeschoolers, and families who love science. Add the book to your curriculum. Read it for fun. Increase your science knowledge or use it to refresh your brain. (Yeah, adults, I am talkin’ to you!). Learn together that our genes do not just shape us, but so do our environment, experiences, and choices.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Alex Collin (Alexandra Collin de l’Hortet) is a biotech executive with over a decade of experience leading the development of innovative therapies in gene therapy. Raised in France and now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she brings a unique blend of international perspective, scientific expertise, and creative curiosity to everything she writes.

As a parent of two curious young children, Alex has experienced firsthand the power of storytelling to make sense of the world. She is passionate about transforming complex scientific ideas into playful, empowering stories that children can connect with and understand.

Drawing on both a deep love of storytelling and a career at the forefront of science, Alex writes to spark wonder, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of curious thinkers.

Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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Peel Back and See by Mike Thorn (Book Review)

In spaces both familiar and strange, unknowable horrors lurk.

From the recesses of the Internet, where cosmic terror shows its face on an endless live feed, to a museum celebrating the sordid legacy of an occultist painter, this chilling collection of sixteen short stories will plunge you into the eerie, pessimistic imagination of Mike Thorn. Peel Back and See urges its readers to look closer, to push past surface-level appearances and face the things that stir below.

 

Amazon Purchase Link
Journalstone.com

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Peel Back and See is a collection of sixteen (16) short stories that are heavy on unforgettable encounters with hungry creatures, blood and gore, fear, Satan, and (weirdly enough) sexual arousal. 

Some stories stuck with me more than others. Below are my top five (5). 

1.) Mr. Mucata’s Final Requests: Everyone knows you don’t try to double-cross Satan. I mean, come on, don’t even try. Deals with him are also a bad idea. Seriously, the worst possible choice a person can make. If you believe in the devil, demons, and hell, say NO to anything offered. Period!

2.) @GorgoYama2013: We’re raised to know you NEVER go into a stranger’s car. Horror movies have ingrained in us to NEVER go into a strange basement, especially alone. Victor broke all the rules. What he met could best be described as a horrific version of Krang (the brain) from TMNT. If you don’t know who I am talking about, look him up! 

3.) Vomitus Bacchanalius: Okay, people are vomiting. Aliens are eating the regurgitated food. There are goo-faced men. Ugh, this story was gross, BUT good! I loved the nod to Gordon Ramsay too. 🙂

4.) The Furnace Room Mutant: This story stood out more because you’d think an unnatural being would be the monster in the story. I like it when authors step out from the paranormal norm. 🙂

5.) Havoc: This was the first story in the collection, and it made me close my laptop and take one giant step back from it. Read the story, and you’ll understand why. There was only one part I wasn’t too keen on — a flashback scene between student and teacher. I don’t want to divulge too much, but it made my score drop from a five to a four. (for this story only, not the overall score of the anthology)

 

 In Peel Back and See, thirteen of the sixteen stories scored three and above. That’s impressive! I encourage others to read the collection and see which story has you cowering under the covers. 


Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link
Journalstone.com

 

 

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Mike Thorn is the author of the short story collection Darkest Hours. His fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, anthologies and podcasts, including Vastarien, Dark Moon Digest, The NoSleep Podcast, Tales to Terrify, and Prairie Gothic. His film criticism has been published in MUBI Notebook, The Film Stage, and Vague Visages. He completed his M.A. with a major in English literature at the University of Calgary, where he wrote a thesis on epistemophobia in John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness.

Connect with him on Twitter (@MikeThornWrites) or visit his website for more information: mikethornwrites.com.

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