BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual Size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 978-0547512914
SUMMARY
Steve Jenkins's Actual Size is a nonfiction book that centers around various animals. Jenkins uses minimal text to share tidbits of information about each animal, as well as their measurements. The majority of each page is taken up by illustrations depicting these animals (or parts of the animals) at actual size. For example, the eye of the giant squid, with its 12 inch diameter, takes up an entire page and then some. The 22 inch giant walking stick, the world's longest insect, doesn't completely fit the span of two pages. In contrast, the dwarf goby, the smallest fish, is only 1/3 inch long. This tiny fish is so small it is almost difficult to see at its actual size. Jenkins ends his book with more detailed information about each animal, as well as pictures of the whole of each animal that are not drawn to scale.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This concept book is an excellent example of quality nonfiction literature for younger children. The information Jenkins presents is accurate and imparted in a clear manner. In addition, his paper collage illustrations have been created in a way that depict the animal (or a part of the animal) at its true size. For young children, the concept of inches is too abstract for them to truly comprehend without some sort of visual accompaniment. These collages are a highly creative and effective way to show the actual animal sizes to the readers. They are truly designed in a way that will grab the reader's attention. Jenkins has also included a section at the back of the book with more information on each animal's habits, diet, and habitat, for those children who want to learn more.
While some nonfiction books are not meant to be read cover to cover, this book is. It is organized in a way that makes it a great read aloud. Each page follows the same pattern - illustration of the animal with one to two interesting facts about said animal, including height and weight. However, don't expect it to be a quick read. Children will want to pause on each page to take in the illustration and possibly compare the animal's size with their own. My children wanted me to stop reading so they could hold their hands up to the page to compare them with the size of the gorilla's.
My children and I really enjoyed this book. It was brand new to both myself and my 7 year old daughter. My 5 year old son, however, exclaimed happily that this book is at his preschool, and he has looked at it several times. He said, "I like the part with the huge gorilla hand." My daughter's response was, "It was funny how tiny the fish was. I loved seeing the animals in their real sizes. It was awesome!" When we reached the final pages, they each picked an animal for me to read about so they could learn more about their favorites.
This book is a true gem, and I can't wait to read more Steve Jenkins titles with my children!
REVIEW EXCERPTS
2005 Orbis Pictus Honor Book
Natural History Best Books for Young Readers, 2004
CHILD Magazine Best Book of the Year
BCCB Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book
Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth, 2004; American Library Association-Booklist
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection."
From BOOKLIST - "Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous (a gate-fold of a frog in midleap is particularly memorable)...An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety."
From THE BULLETIN - "Jenkins's imaginative paper collages work their usual magic in transcending their medium to capture the spirit and detail of their subjects."
CONNECTIONS
For students who loved visualizing the actual sizes of different animals, read Jenkins's similar title, Prehistoric Actual Size.
While some nonfiction books are not meant to be read cover to cover, this book is. It is organized in a way that makes it a great read aloud. Each page follows the same pattern - illustration of the animal with one to two interesting facts about said animal, including height and weight. However, don't expect it to be a quick read. Children will want to pause on each page to take in the illustration and possibly compare the animal's size with their own. My children wanted me to stop reading so they could hold their hands up to the page to compare them with the size of the gorilla's.
My children and I really enjoyed this book. It was brand new to both myself and my 7 year old daughter. My 5 year old son, however, exclaimed happily that this book is at his preschool, and he has looked at it several times. He said, "I like the part with the huge gorilla hand." My daughter's response was, "It was funny how tiny the fish was. I loved seeing the animals in their real sizes. It was awesome!" When we reached the final pages, they each picked an animal for me to read about so they could learn more about their favorites.
This book is a true gem, and I can't wait to read more Steve Jenkins titles with my children!
REVIEW EXCERPTS
2005 Orbis Pictus Honor Book
Natural History Best Books for Young Readers, 2004
CHILD Magazine Best Book of the Year
BCCB Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book
Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth, 2004; American Library Association-Booklist
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection."
From BOOKLIST - "Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous (a gate-fold of a frog in midleap is particularly memorable)...An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety."
From THE BULLETIN - "Jenkins's imaginative paper collages work their usual magic in transcending their medium to capture the spirit and detail of their subjects."
CONNECTIONS
For students who loved visualizing the actual sizes of different animals, read Jenkins's similar title, Prehistoric Actual Size.
- Jenkins, Steve. Prehistoric Actual Size. ISBN 978-0618535781
Read other nonfiction works by Steve Jenkins.
- Jenkins, Steve. What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? ISBN 978-0618997138
- Jenkins, Steve. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. ISBN 978-0395861363
- Jenkins, Steve. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. ISBN 978-0060536008
Have students choose an animal from the book that they are interested in learning more about. Have them research the animal and write a report on what they've learned.
Use this book as an introduction to measurement. Teach children how to use a ruler and a tape measure. Have them measure fingers, hands, arms, and other various objects in the classroom. Then, have them open up the book and measure the animals. Decide when to use a ruler and when a tape measure is needed.
Have students create their own own paper collage. Give them cut up paper and glue and let them create a picture of their choosing.
Photocopy the page depicting the gorilla's hand, one for each child. Have students dip a hand in paint and make their handprint on top of the gorilla's. This will allow them to see how the size of their hand compares to the gorilla's.
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