1. BibliographySteve Jenkins. 2004. Actual Size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618375943
2. Plot Summary
This nonfiction picture book utilizes cut and torn paper illustrations to express how small or big or short or long a variety of animals are. “All of the animals in this book are shown at actual size, so you can see how you measure up to creatures both large and small,” Jenkins states on the first page in the book. Each of the eighteen animals and insects is depicted to scale though some of them only partially fit on the page. A line or two of information is given about each animal in addition to their height (or length) and weight. A paragraph of further information is provided about each animal presented including the title page’s pygmy shrew and the final page’s giant Gippsland earthworm.
3. Critical Analysis
Jenkins’ eye-catching work is based on the accuracy of the size of each animal. The customary length or height as well as the weights of most of the animals are provided with each collage illustration. A simple sentence of text accompanies every life-size illustration - “This is too close to a great white shark!” The choice of vocabulary is simple enough for young listeners but not too easy for older elementary readers. More information about each featured animal’s habitat and behaviors is found on the final four pages of the book. These pages include smaller yet complete images of the animals. Jenkins’ style peaks a reader’s curiosity with the effortless text and striking illustrations and provides them with enough information at the finale to satisfy until additional sources can be found. The three-page spread of the saltwater crocodile’s open snout and the leaping Goliath frog are sure grab a readers’ attention.
4. Review Excerpts and Awards
Starred review in BookList: “An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature’s astonishing variety.”
Review in Kirkus Reviews: “A new exploration of the biological world, from one of the current masters of collage, features life-size - not scaled - representations of the extremes of the animal kingdom.”
Review in Horn Book
Review in School Library Journal: “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.”
International Reading Association’s Children’s Choices
Orbis Pictus Honor Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
5. Connections
· Use to introduce a length measurement unit in mathematics.
· Use in science in conjunction with a study on animals.
· Other titles about size:
Harris, Nicholas. How Long? ISBN 9781410300669
Jenkins, Steve. Prehistoric Actual Size. ISBN 9780618535781
Osborn, Kevin. Actual Size: 250 Actual Size Images of the Real World. ISBN 9780385198851
Walker, Richard. The Children’s Atlas of the Human Body: Actual Size Bones, Muscles, and Organs in Full Color. ISBN 9781562945039
