Synopses & Reviews
In this stunning picture book, Steve Jenkins takes us to Mount Everest - exploring its history, geography, climate, and culture. This unique book takes readers on the ultimate adventure of climbing the great mountain. Travel along and learn what to pack for such a trek and the hardships one may suffer on the way to the top. Avalanches, frostbite, frigid temperatures, wind, and limited oxygen are just a few of the dangers that make scaling this peak one of the most extreme physical challenges one can experience. To stand on the top of Mount Everest is to stand on top of the world. With informative text and exquisitely detailed cut paper illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Steve Jenkins brings this extreme journey alive for young adventurers.
Review
How to Clean a Hippopotomus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships with Robin Page
"These fascinating stories from the natural world will easily interest young people, many of whom will want to move on from the appended notes about each featured critter to more in-depth titles that further explain the mysteries of animal symbiosis." --Booklist, starred review
Jenkins, Steve Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember.
"This [Monkey] takes the cheesy appeal of the dangerous-animals hook and makes it thoughtful and inventive without robbing it of its melodramatic charm. . . Crisp and clean detail particularly distinguishes this batch of Jenkins' cut-out-collages, laid out with sharp edges against the white backgrounds, so the soft painterly striations and fibrous mottling stand out all the more." --The Bulletin
Down, Down, Down One of 8 Notable Children's Books of 2009
"Through a magical use of cut paper, Jenkins takes the reader on a voyage to the deepest part of the ocean. Multilayered and multicolored, bizarre creatures almost seem to move on the page; flying squid, cold-eyed mackerel and lacy, bioluminescent siphonophores (lighted up like Broadway bulbs). Helpful descriptions both inform and entertain." --New York Times Book Review"In this plunge into the deep, Jenkins displays his usual keen awareness of what is fascinating about biology and imparts it without sensationalism—the facts speak for themselves . . Sophisticated cut- and torn-paper collage-work fit the alien qualities of the subjects well; its equally at home capturing the tiered needlepoints of lizardfish teeth as it isdelivering an impressive and illuminating display of bioluminescence."--Booklist "Browsers will be delighted by the variety of species, shown in their appropriate colors although not to scale. Backmatter provides some information about the animals pictured, including sizes compared to a human body or hand, although the bibliography does not seem to include the sources used for those facts. Once again, Jenkins provides an almost irresistible entry into our natural world for the youngest readers."--Kirkus Reviews "Jenkins takes his signature collage to the oceans, sinking readers from the surface of the Pacific Ocean down nearly 11,000 meters to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. His style works well here: with passage into each zone (from the surface to the sunlit zone to the twilight zone, etc.), the blue backgrounds shade darker and murkier, which allows the intricate cut-paper animal illustrations to pop."--Horn Book How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? with Robin Page "With clear, gorgeous, freestanding images in cut- and torn-paper collage, each double-page spread shows detailed species close up, as well as the connections between animals. . . . An enthralling read-aloud, especially in small groups, where children can crowd up close to the images." —Booklist,starred review Sisters and Brothers Sibling Relationships in the Animal World with Robin Page "[P]acked with amazing biology...Depicted in crisp, gorgeous, cut-and-torn paper collages..." —Booklist,starred review "...splendid contribution, another winner from an accomplished team." —Kirkus, starred review "...intriguing lore...in gorgeous cut-and-torn-paper collages." —NYT Living Color Book Sense Autumn 2007 Children's Picks List "Once again, Steve Jenkins introduces science in a way that helps children learn concepts even as they have fun experiencing this brightly colored book, which reflects the stunning range of hues found in nature." —Ellen Mager, Booktenders Children's, Doylestown, PA New York Public Library's annual list Childrens Books: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2007-http://www.publishersweekly.com/info/CA6498573.html?nid=278 Included in the Washington Post Book World (circulation 900,000) holiday issue round-up, December 9, 2007
"Jenkins once again astounds...the combination of easy-to-understand language and gorgeous illustrations makes this a prime choice for any young animal enthusiast's collection."—Publishers Weekly,starred review "Another amazing work by a master illustrator." —School Library Journal, starred "The phraseology is immediate and inviting...filled with lively, digestible tidbits...This will easily lure browsers in a range of ages..." —The Bulletin Dogs and Cats "Jenkins brings his inimitable ability to clearly present scientific information to this uniquely styled flip-book … scientifically engaging and aesthetically pleasing...An inviting, multidimensional introduction to the pets we love." —Horn Book, Starred "Jenkins is a master at presenting facts with style and clarity." —The San Francisco Chronicle Move! A 2006 New York Times Best Illustrated Childrens Book of the Year A 2006 Parenting Magazine Childrens Book of the Year A 2006 Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Book of the Year "In this eye-popping book illustrated with cut- and torn-paper collages, animals leap, swim, slide, swing, and waddle. . . . This book is gorgeous and educational." —School Library Journal, starred review "Jenkins's cut-paper collages stand out against the white background, reinforcing the action and begging listeners to identify both the creatures and the verbs."—Horn Book What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? with Robin Page A 2004 Caldecott Honor A 2003 Booklinks Lasting Connections Selection A 2003 Child Magazine Best Book of the Year "Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book." —School Library Journal,starred review "This array of wide eyes and open mouths will definitely have viewers responding with wide eyes and open mouths of their own." —Kirkus Reviews,starred review "This is a striking, thoughtfully created book with intriguing facts made more memorable through dynamic art."—Booklist,starred review Actual Size A 2005 Orbis Pictus Honor Book A Book Sense Top Ten Pick A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year Bulletin Blue Ribbon Winner Booklist Editors Choices Booklinks Lasting Connection IBBY Honor List NYPL, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Colorado Childrens Book Award "Kids will literally be all over the book." —The Bulletin,starred review "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." —School Library Journal "A new exploration of the biological world, from one of the current masters of collage." —Kirkus Reviews
Review
The author-artist who gave us Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (1995) and What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You (1997) turns his attention to a slightly older audience in a picture book that takes readers on an armchair tour up the tallest peak on Earth. In preparation for the trek, Jenkins presents some background on Everest (including a brief comment on the ecological nightmare tourism has caused) and on some of the people who have scaled it. There's also a double-page spread devoted to climbing equipment. Then it's up to the top, complete with descriptions of some of the things climbers may see en route and some insight into how the cold and altitude will affect their bodies. Jenkins' papercut illustrations are extraordinary--feathery light to catch the effect of fog radiating off the mountains, mottled and striated to replicate rocky plateaus, pebbled to look like ice flowers.
Booklist, ALA
Mount Everest may be imposing, but Steve Jenkins takes its measure in a strikingly executed picture book. The cut-paper collage illustrations manage to show the grandeur of the world's tallest mountain with an immediacy that few photographs can. Using textured paper and only a little bit of airbrushing, Jenkins succeeds in the difficult task of creating realistic paper collages. The book follows a logical sequence, beginning with the statistics (where it is, how tall, how it was formed, how to get there, who climbed it first) and continuing with a virtual climbing experience for the reader: "It takes a lot of special gear to climb Mount Everest. Here is some of the equipment you'll need"-a spread displaying a delicious array of impressive rig. By the time we have reached the summit on the last spread, we have gained an understanding of the thrills as well as the immense hardships involved in this climb. Jenkins doesn't avoid details of frostbite and lost fingers, or even the visible litter of used oxygen canisters and frozen bodies of climbers who succumbed to the altitude and had to be left on the mountain. On nearly every spread there is an inset or sidebar providing additional infor-mation about glaciers and avalanches, the culture of the Sherpas, why climbers need oxygen, and other facts that are of interest but would break the forward motion of the main story. Exceptional design handles these bits of text remarkably well: the insets are clearly separate from the central spread, using a different background color and smaller type, while the torn paper edges of each sidebar allow it to become integrated into the spread. The subject matter-danger and heroism in a vast, breathtakingly beautiful setting-is inherently suited to a large, colorful picture book; the deft execution of the illustrations brings the whole package to a higher level. One of the pitfalls of using cut paper for realistic illustrations is the disappointing lack of realism in close-ups of faces, which require fine gradations of shading and color. The subject allows Jenkins to avoid this, since the climbers are most often seen completely covered up with scarves, hats, and sungoggles. Another potential difficulty can be depicting vapor and cloud realistically, but Jenkins makes full use of thin, wispy papers and deckle edges to create puffy clouds and blowing snow plumes. The book ends with illustrated back matter: a chart of the tallest summits on each continent, a list of Mount Everest facts and records, a few websites, and a bibliography. From start to finish, Jenkins has created a breathtaking tour-de-force.
Horn Book
"A breathtaking picture-book account of a climb to the top of Mount Everest. Jenkins (Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest, 1998, etc.) documents each step of the way with vivid crushed-paper and cut-paper collages that will rivet viewers. He begins with a world map that shows the Himalayas, recounts efforts to measure the peaks, describes early expeditions, and includes the successful climbs of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, and Rheinhold Messner in 1980. Next, Jenkins illustrates the necessary gear for modern mountain-climbing, and describes the journey itself, beginning in Kathmandu, Nepal, the 100-mile trek to the base of Mount Everest, then step-by-step, up the mountain to the summit. At each step, the striking collages extend the information of the text and capture the majesty of the mountain. Visually arresting and inspiring." Kirkus Reviews
"The book teaches children about the thrills and risks of big mountains without frightening them." The New York Times
Review
"These will be an effective way to introduce animal habits and to link them to human behavior, and they may elicit audience interest in further discussion and exploration." and#8212;Bulletin
Review
"The distinctive cut-paper collages are real showstoppers. The placement of each one against a crisp white background cleverly underscores the differences in size." School Library Journal, Starred
Review
"In this world record book of natural history, Jenkins identifies and describes places such as the planet's deepest lake, highest mountain, most active volcano, the most extreme tides, and the places designated the hottest, the coldest, the wettest, the driest, and the windiest on Earth. Each spread features a distinctive collage of cut-and-torn papers, which vary in texture and hue. Silhouetted forms provide dramatic focal points in the compositions. Each spread includes a couple of lines of text, supplemented with more information in smaller type and inset maps and diagrams that help the reader visualize just how high, deep, or wet the subject is in comparison with others of its kind. Highly effective visual education for the classroom of for young browsers intrigued by superlatives." Booklist, ALA
"Once again, Jenkins provides jaw-dropping facts and extremely elegant paper collages to illustrate the amazing natural world. Readers are introduced to the deepest ocean trench, the highest mountain (in terms of elevation) and the tallest (from foot to summit), the longest river, the hottest patch, the coldest, the most active volcanoes, the most extreme tides. The lyric beauty and sense Jenkins brings to his collages manifest a sense of place. Inset maps - global and regional - and measurement charts (often using humans and the Empire State Building for scale) allow these extremes to make geographical and quantitative sense." Kirkus Reviews
"As in Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, Jenkins once again uses striking colorful paper collage illustrations to explore a topic. Here, he delves into the greatly varied marvels of the world. . . . Interesting charts help put sizes into perspective. . . . These visuals give young readers a full understanding of how amazing these natural wonders are. Each spread includes a map that shows where these places are located. Browsers will pick up this delightful picture book and read it through completely. This eye-catching introduction to geography will find a lot of use in libraries and classrooms." School Library Journal
Synopsis
Climb the tallest mountain, dive into the deepest lake, and navigate the longest river in Steve Jenkins' stunning new book that explores the wonders of the natural world. With his striking cut paper collages, Jenkins majestically captures the grand sense of scale, perspective and awe that only mother earth can inspire.
Synopsis
What would you do if something wanted to eat you? Walk on water? Stick out your tongue? Play dead? Animals in the wild use all kinds of methods to protect themselves from their enemies. Using dynamic and intricate cut-paper collages, Steve Jenkins explores the many fascinating and unique defense mechanisms creatures use to escape from danger.
Synopsis
The basilisk falls asleep balanced on a thin branch that hangs ocer the water.
To stay safe from predators, the flamingo sleeps standing in shallow water.
The white stork sleeps in flight!
Time to Sleep is one of three in a picture book series for very young children by Caldecott-Honor winning duo Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Jenkins' masterful and vibrantly colored cut-and-torn paper illustrations paired with a fun, lovely text, Time to Sleep showcases the most interesting ways animals go to sleep.
Synopsis
Itand#8217;s time to sleep! Who dozes standing on one leg without falling over, snores while flying, or snuggles together in a big sleepy pile?
Synopsis
See the animals like you've never seen them before!
Synopsis
In this exuberant collection, Lois Ehlert celebrates the animal kingdom with quirky, playful rhymes and bold collage illustrations that perfectly capture the spirit of each creature. Sixty-four of her favorite animal friends are here, from hamsters to monkeys, geckos to mountain goats--and with its clever combination of fact and wordplay, this stunning volume is as fun to read as it is to look at.
Includes an author's note.
Visit www.HarcourtBooks.com/LoisEhlert for activity sheets and more!
Synopsis
In this exuberant new picture book, Lois Ehlert takes us onand#160;a trip to the farmers market with a group of friendly, furry, andand#160;(mostly) well-behaved pups.and#160;And when theand#160;shopping's done, the gang heads to the dog park for some
serious playing.and#160;Readers will be wowed by theand#160;gorgeous collage illustrations, subtle counting elements, jaunty text, and--best of all--dogs galore!and#160;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;Includes aand#160;spread thatand#160;features pictures,and#160;names, and traits of all the dogs, so children canand#160;go back and follow their favorites throughout the story.and#160;
Synopsis
Have you ever slept standing on one leg? How about underground for the whole winter? It might not sound too comfy to us, but to some animals it feels just right.
Synopsis
It's time to sleep! You can doze off standing on one leg, settle down for a nap on the sea floor, or crawl into a hole and snooze until spring. Or perhaps you'd rather slip into a slimy sleeping bag? In this bedtime book, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page take a look at some of the unusual ways animals get their rest. Try them yourself, orand#8212;just maybeand#8212;your own bed sounds more comfortable?
Now this bedtime book and its two companions, Time to Eat and Time for a Bath, are bolder and better than ever in their new big book format perfect for sharing!
Synopsis
Each spread of Big and Little shows animals that are related to each other but vary greatly in size. All animals are illustrated on the same scale, so readers can compare them throughout the book.
Synopsis
Ha woo!and#160;Meet theand#160;graduates of the Bow Wow Dog Obedience School.
About the Author
Steve Jenkins has written and illustrated many nonfiction picture books for young readers, including the Caldecott Honor-winning What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? His books have been called stunning, eye-popping, inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful, irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, and informative. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and frequent collaborator, Robin Page, and their children.Robin Page lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and collaborator, Steve Jenkins, and their three children. Along with writing and illustrating childrenand#8217;s books, Steve and Robin run a graphic design studio.