Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com
Jenkins, Steve. 1995. biggest, strongest, fastest. New York: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-395-69701-8
Summary:
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest and even the slowest creatures are showcased in this book. The simple expository text tells us about animal champions that break records in the animal kingdom. The illustrations are brightly represented in cut-paper collages.
Critical analysis:
In the beautifully illustrated Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, Steve Jenkins continues with his style of cut-paper collages and creates this eye catching book of “world records” that children enjoy reading. The illustrations are correct according to the animal that is showcased and he includes cited sources in bibliographies that back up his text. He organizes the text and illustrations in a way that puts things into context for children. Steve includes text in sidebars that allow the visual theme of the book to flow freely. At the end of the book, the content is summarized, in a chart, which includes each animal name, record, size, diet, and range. The amazing paper collages and simple colors are attractive and inviting, making the illustrations appropriate and complementary to the text. The graphics are clear and placed appropriately and the overall design communicates subject matter clearly and effectively. The cut-paper collages, looking almost real, seem about ready to jump out of the pages. Steve’s style is clear, lively, and interesting. He clearly reveals and demonstrates his passion, enthusiasm, love of science, in addition to his want to capture a child’s sense of wonder. Steve uses appropriate vocabulary and encourages critical thinking and more reading without too much information.
Review excerpt(s):
School Library Journal, 05/01/1995
K-Gr 2. Large, clear print; fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight. One main fact is presented per spread about each of 14 animals, e.g., ``The Etruscan shrew, the world's smallest mammal, could sleep in a teaspoon.'' Two more relevant facts are given in smaller print. Silhouette drawings show comparative sizes?the blue whale is shown next to an adult human. The realistic, inventive, textured illustrations, mostly double spreads, flow smoothly from page to page. A helpful chart at the end contains further information about each creature, such as diet and habitat. An all-round superlative effort.?Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY [1]
BookList, 02/01/1995
Ages 4-9. Beautiful double-page-spread cut-paper collages illustrate a picture book about "some of the biggest and smallest, fastest and slowest, strongest and longest" record holders in the animal world. The facts are amazing. Their juxtaposition makes you gasp, not just about size and speed but about comparative wonders. Right after the African elephant, which eats more than 300 pounds of grass and leaves every day, there's a close-up two-page picture of an ant, which turns out to be the strongest animal for its size: it can carry five times its own weight. The book's design makes it accessible at many levels. The youngest can identify the various creatures. Preschoolers can enjoy the one-sentence descriptions in large type ("The cheetah can run faster than any other animal. . . . The flea is very small, but it is the world's best jumper"). Older kids will love thinking about the additional facts regarding scale and proportion that are printed in small type, accompanied by a tiny silhouette in the corner of each picture ("If a 5 1/2-foot-tall woman could jump as well as a flea, she could leap to the top of a 65-story building"). Here's proof that power isn't just about size and that science can be a lot of fun. ((Reviewed February 01, 1995)) -- Hazel Rochman. Booklist, published by the American Library Association. [1]
Connections: [2]
See how Steve makes his books:
Activities Featuring Number and Operations-access activity PDF here:[3]
awards: [2]
The Children’s Literature Choice List, 1996 Children’s Literature; United States
Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 1995
American Library Association-Booklist Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1996 National Science Teachers Association
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 California Department of Education
1998 Washington Childrens’ Choice Picture Book Award
Bibliographies:
Jenkins, Steve, 1952-. 1995. Biggest, strongest, fastest. Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).
Teachervision, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/allynbacon/Ward_020552916x_21-26_key.pdf
Citations:
[1] Jenkins, Steve, 1952-. 1995. Biggest, strongest, fastest. Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).
[2] Steve Jenkins Books, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/
[3] Teachervision, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/allynbacon/Ward_020552916x_21-26_key.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment