Book Review: Actual Size

Module 4

1. BILBIOGRAPHY

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

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Did you know that the largest earthworm can grow up to three feet long? Or that a moth can be as big as a bird? In this informational book, Jenkins demonstrates the actual size of 18 of the largest and smallest animals in the world including insects, birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals.  

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The illustrations in the book are made of collages of cut and torn paper. Since the majority of the animals in the book are large animals, the illustrations take up most of the page and are the main focus of the book. The Siberian tiger illustration takes up two entire pages, and does not even include the entire head. For each animal, the text is organized with a quick one to two sentence description, followed in small print by the height and weight of the animal located in the corner of the page. The style of writing is simple and easy for readers to understand. However, for readers that are interested in knowing more information about the animals and viewing a complete illustration of the entire animal body, they can flip to the back of the book for a more detailed description of the animals’ size, habitat, eating habits, and unique characteristics. The design of the book is very appealing and the actual size illustrations allow the reader to compare their own size with that of the animals. The gorilla hand is illustrated with the palm up, so that readers can place their own hand on top and determine how much smaller their hand is compared to a huge gorilla. With two three-page illustrations, several two-page illustrations, and a few tiny illustrations, readers will be amazed by the size, both big and small, of creatures on this Earth. However, the lack of real photographs makes it difficult to determine the accuracy of the illustrations and identify the texture of the animals.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Booklist: “Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous, 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.”

*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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Before reading the book, ask students to draw what they think is the actual size of some of the animals. For example, draw a gorilla’s hand, or a giant squid’s eye. Compare their drawings with the illustrations after you read the book.

*Have students pick their favorite animal and research the size of that animal. Then create an actual size picture of the animal. For larger animals, students will want to create only a part of the animal, such as the head or foot.

*Read other life-size books:

Earhart, Kristin. LIFE-SIZE ZOO: FROM TINY RODENTS TO GIGANTIC ELEPHANT, AN ACTUAL SIZE ANIMAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. ISBN 978-1934734209

Gilpin, Daniel. LIFE-SIZE KILLER CREATURES. ISBN 978-1402727016

Wilson, Hannah. LIFE-SIZE REPTILES. ISBN 978-1402745423