Actual Size

Module 7, SLIS 5420

Summary

Steve Jenkins, the author and illustrator of this book, uses paper collages to create images of unusually small and large animals, or portions of them, to give the reader an idea of the varying sizes of animals found in nature. Sometimes, such as on the cover of the book, the images are transposed to give a sense of proportion between different species. Each entry includes information on the height and weight of the animal depicted. The end of the book includes a recap of the species mentioned in it, with more information about their habitat, habits, and what they eat. The illustrations are colorful and the use of collage helps to create a sense of texture in the images.

Bibliographic Information

Jenkins, Steve. Actual Size. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. ISBN: 0-618-37594-5

My Thoughts

This picture book has a mixture of animals that are scary and benign. Some are interesting to children because they are unusually small and others because they are unusually large. Some are simply interesting because children will have encountered them in their other readings and will be interested in seeing how big or small they are. In any case, they are unlikely to have actually encountered the given species covered in the book, as they are rather exotic to American readers. This list covers animals from all around the globe. The inclusion of more information about each species at the end is a nice touch, as readers will want to know more information about them. The individual entries in the rest of the book follow a predictable pattern that lends it a comfortable aspect.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 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 1/2 feet tall and weighs 600 pounds, while the mouse lemur is 2 1/2 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.
Ratterree, Dona. School Library Journal. June 1, 2004.


Gr. 1-3. As in many of his previous bestiaries, including the Caldecott Honor Book What Can You Do with a Tail Like This? (2003), Jenkins' newest presents a parade of cut-paper animals, each accompanied by a pithy line of text. The difference here is the scale: everything appears at actual size. Jenkins' masterstroke, though, is his inclusion of creatures both great and small, so while petite critters fit comfortably within 12-by-20-inch spreads, larger ones appear as evocatively cropped bits and pieces: a gorilla's massive hand; a Siberian tiger's snarling mug; the unnerving, basketball-size eye of a giant squid. The resulting juxtapositions will leave children marveling at one species' daintiness, then shuddering as they mentally sketch in the unseen portions of more formidable beasts. Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous (a gatefold of a frog in midleap is particularly memorable), and, at the end of the book, thumbnail images of the featured animals paired with information about habitat and behavior put the piquant visuals into a broader context. An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety.
Mattson, Jennifer. Booklist. May 15, 2004.

Awards

Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth- Young Readers Category

Suggestions for Use in Library

Children of all ages are interested in animals. This book is a useful way to intoduce the idea of comparing the size and weight of the unusual animals shown here with animals that the children are more likely to be familiar with, such as pets, people, and wildlife that live in their own geographic areas, or those they have seen in a zoo.