Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

 

Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

 

Bibliography: Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN: 9780618375943

Plot Summary: Actual size is an informational text about the sizes of different animals. Each page features a different animal and gives the reader information about the physical size of the animal. The animal’s pictures are also featured in the text at their actual size using a collage type style of artwork. The book concludes with information about each animal featured within the pages of the text.

Critical Analysis: This is a relatively short informational text falling in the category of a concept book. It features 18 animals created to scale using cut outs and collages. Some animals like the dwarf goby are able to fit on the page because its length is 1/3 inch. However, parts of other animals are featured because of their enormous size. This is seen with the giant squid that can be up to 59 feet long, and has eyes that are 12 inches across. With this animal, only the eye and a small portion of the body is featured.  With each animal, facts are presented on the page spanning no more than two sentences. Then, at the end of the text, there is a page dedicated to informing the reader about each animal, providing interesting facts. The accuracy of the book cannot fully be determined because no sources are cited within the text that let us know where the information originates. Since this is a shorter book, the information can be validated through research. Overall, Jenkins is known for his easy to read informational texts and the illustrations he created depict the animals being shown. The organization of the text is clear to the reader and it contains a general pattern of information. The text presented on each page gives the size of the animal and a fact. The animals featured are bolded which allow the reader to look at the end of the book to learn more interesting facts. The overall design of the text is appealing to younger readers and the collage images are placed appropriately on the page so that they reader is able to grasp the size of the animals effectively. The style of the text is clear and concise, presenting the information in a simplistic way that encourages curiosity and leaves the reader wanting to learn more about each animal.

Review Excerpts:

·         From School Library Journal - PreSchool-Grade 5–In striking torn-and-cut paper collages, Jenkins depicts 18 animals and insects–or a part of their body–in actual size. One illustration compares an atlas moth with a 12-inch wingspan to a dwarf goby fish, which is 1/3-inch long. The eye of a giant squid, at a foot across, occupies a spread to terrific effect; only the snout and tongue–curling its two-foot length across two pages and littered with termites–are visible in the picture of the giant anteater. The hand of a gorilla fills a page opposite the entire pygmy mouse lemur with its tiny human-fingertip-sized palm. The saltwater crocodile grows to 23 feet, so tremendous that its head occupies a three-page foldout. On the reverse side is the rat-eating Goliath frog, a staggering 36 inches long in full hop. One or two lines of text briefly introduce each animal and give specific measurements, e.g., the gorilla stands 5 ½ feet tall and weighs 600 pounds, while the mouse lemur is 2 ½ inches tall and weighs 1 ounce. The end matter offers full pictures of the creatures and more details about their habitats and habits. Mixing deceptive simplicity with absolute clarity, 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.–Dona Ratterree

·         From School Library Journal "A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection."

·         From Booklist, ALA, Starred Review "Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous (a gatefold of a frog in midleap is particularly memorable)... An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety."

·         From The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred - "Jenkins' imaginative paper collages work their usual magic in transcending their medium to capture the spirit and detail of their subjects. The real triumph here, however, is the compositions...the book makes brilliantly creative use of its tight focus, resulting in startling closeups."

Connections/Activities:

·         Students can compare/contrast the sizes of different animals depicted in the text.

·         Students can choose one of the animals to start a research project.

·         Students can write facts about the animals and look up more about the animals featured in the text.

·         Students can use this book when discussing measurement.

Select other texts by Steve Jenkins

·         Biggest, Strongest, Fastest - 978-0395861363

·         What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You? - 978-0618152438

·         What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? - 978-0618997138

·         Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest - 978-0618494880

Related Texts:

·         More Life-Size Zoo: An All-New Actual-Size Animal Encyclopedia by Kristin Earhart - 978-1934734193

·         Zoo by Gail Gibbons - 978-0064460965

Personal Connections:

I think this would be a great book to use in the younger grades to introduce non-fiction texts and to get students interested in different animals. It would also be a great book to use when discussing measurement and comparisons.