Synopses & Reviews
Did you know that the blue whale weighs as much as 2,000 adult humans? Or that the eye of the colossal squid is as big as a basketball? With Steve Jenkins remarkable exploration of the natural world, readers learn all about the extraordinary animals who share our planet. Clear, concise writing paired with easy-to-read infographics and stunning illustrations makes understanding animal behavior accessible, tactile, and intriguing. Each well-organized section—predators; defense; senses; family; comparisons; evolution; and animal facts—brims with information, eye-popping artwork, and insight. The book also includes a special section on creating a book as Jenkins details his own creative process. This almanac of animals is not only a wealth of fact and nonfiction, but a true 200 plus page span of visual delight. From young eager animal lovers to budding scientists to science teachers, this book is a must-have and the perfect animal book to gift.
Review
"Building on years of experience in selecting animal facts and creating arresting illustrations, Jenkins surpasses his previous work with an amazing album characterized by clear organization, realistic images and carefully chosen examples. . . . This is a must-purchase for animal-loving families and most libraries."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"This is a beautiful book that belongs in most collections; it will engage browsers for hours, and the many textual features make it an excellent choice for classroom curricula."
and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"With so much to look at, this attractive browsing book will fascinate children thirsty for animal facts."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"In showcasing the riches and peculiarities of the natural world, Jenkins offers plenty to seize (and satisfy) readers' curiosities."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This will be an ideal holiday gift for kids who love animals or who love Steve Jenkins booksand#8212;and that amounts to a lot of kids."
and#8212;Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Charts and graphs throughout are as intriguing as the animals themselves; an index of the featured animals is pretty much brilliant, including not just page numbers but size, habitat, and diet."
and#8212;The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
Review
"Jenkins has produced another marvel. . . . Young children will delight in first guessing, then seeing, how each of fourteen unusual animals avoids becoming someone elses dinner." Horn Book
"Thrilling, beautiful . . . dramatic." Booklist, ALA
"The youngest animal enthusiasts will find this an intriguing introduction to adaptation." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
"As animal fathers have been overshadowed by the numerous books featuring animal mothers, this unique selection helps balance the science shelves for young children." School Library Journal
Review
"Jenkins's trademark illustrations, watercolor cut-paper collage, are perfect for this exploration of wings." School Library Journal School Library Journal
"An attractive, informative choice for sharing with kids almost ready to read on their own." Booklist Booklist, ALA
"A gallery of interesting tidbits." The Bulletin Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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
"A simple yet extremely clever introduction to animals and the way they respond to water. . . . A delight from start to finish." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"Richly colored, highly textured collages depict a variety of animals in the water. A single line of fluid, gently rhyming text is carefully placed on each double-page spread to describe the animal and its aquatic behavior: ea otters sleep in a cradle of kelp. / Squid swim backwards, jet-propelled. Notes at the back provide additional information about the animals and their water habits." -- Copyright and#169; 1996 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved. Horn Book, Fanfare
Review
"Fun and very educational."
and#8212;Booklist
"[A] handsome examination of child-rearing across the animal kingdom."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"Jenkins and Page's simple text effectively highlights the differing degrees of independence of a variety of species' young."
and#8212;Horn Book
"Jenkins and Page find yet another inviting way to connect young human readers and listeners to creatures who share their world . . . Appealing to a wide age range, this is another crowd pleaser."
and#8212;Kirkus
"The striking depictions of mother and child set against full-bleed colored backgrounds or clean white space should make for many return readings."
and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
"The style would work as an easy read as well as a readaloud."
and#8212;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Jenkins's masterly paper collages achieve their usual high standards of zoological accuracy and beauty. The text is shrewdly written in the first-person voice of each baby animal, mingling personality with scientific fact."
and#8212;New York Times Online
Review
"Orgill chronicles young Louis' love of music in words that sing. . . . This vibrant portrait of the Jazz great's youth is one children will return to again and again." Publishers Weekly, Starred
"A 'musically charged tale'. . . In tune with the text Jenkins' [illustrations] create a setting that pulses with the sounds of jazz." School Library Journal
Review
"Orgill tells the story of a boy overcoming incredible odds to achieve his dream, without becoming too dark, maudlin or even overly hopeful, and Jenkins's dark palette looks the way jazz sounds." Publishers Weekly, Starred
Review
"Good books for young children about reproduction are a rarity and are eagerly sought by libraries and parents alike. This is one of them . . . "An attractive, informative, approachable look at a delicate subject." and#151;School Library Journal, starred review School Library Journal, Starred
Synopsis
Award-winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins offers a visual feast in this rich treasury that explores the world around us and the extraordinary creatures that we share it with!
Synopsis
Animals smooth and spiky, fast and slow, hop and waddle through the two hundred plus pages of the Caldecott Honor artist Steve Jenkins's most impressive nonfiction offering yet. Sections such as "Animal Senses," "Animal Extremes," and "The Story of Life" burst with fascinating facts and infographics that will have trivia buffs breathlessly asking, "Do you know a termite queen can produce up to 30,000 eggs a day?" Jenkins's color-rich cut- and torn-paper artwork is as strikingly vivid as ever. Rounding out this bountiful browsers' almanac of more than three hundred animals is a discussion of the artist's bookmaking process, an animal index, a glossary, and a bibliography. A bookshelf essential
Synopsis
Animals smooth and spiky, fast and slow, hop and waddle through the two hundred plusand#160;pages of the Caldecott Honor artist Steve Jenkinsand#8217;s most impressive nonfiction offering yet. Sections such as and#8220;Animal Senses,and#8221; and#8220;Animal Extremes,and#8221; and and#8220;The Story of Lifeand#8221; burst with fascinating facts and infographics that will have trivia buffs breathlessly asking, and#8220;Do you knowand#160;a termite queen can produce up to 30,000 eggs a day?and#8221; Jenkinsand#8217;s color-rich cut- and torn-paper artwork is as strikingly vivid as ever. Rounding out this bountiful browsersand#8217; almanac of more than three hundred animals is a discussion of the artistand#8217;s bookmaking process, an animal index, a glossary, and a bibliography. A bookshelf essential!
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
This whimsical and intriguing picture book explores the different roles of fatherhood in the animal kingdom. Readers will learn about various animal dads and their many different parenting skills: baby-sitting - an emperor penguin dad watches over the eggs for nine weeks while the mother searches for food; hunting - a wolf dad leads the pack on hunting trips and brings meat for new pups to eat; giving birth - a seahorse mother's eggs hatch inside the dad's special belly pouch. Sneed Collard's concise, clear text and award-winning artist Steve Jenkins's informative cut-paper collages reveal unique tasks that animal dads perform in raising their offspring.
Synopsis
Wings carry tiny insects, fluttering butterflies, and backyard birds, and they even once propelled some dinosaurs up and through the skies. Find out how, when, and why birds and beasts have taken to the air, and discover how wings work in this informative and brilliantly illustrated book about flight.
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
If you were an astronaut traveling far out in space and you looked at the earth, what would you see? A small ball in the huge black universe. Thatand#8217;s where these pictures begin. Then they move closer and closer to the earth, each view revealing new details. Until finally . . . See for yourself.
In this wordless picture book with stunning cut-paper illustrations, Steve Jenkins masterfully depicts the many levels of the universe, from the farthest reaches of space to the most familiar corner of your backyard.
Synopsis
An eye-catching and informative look at how animals behave in water.
Synopsis
What did you do on the day you were born? This book looks at what a variety of creatures can accomplish within 24 hours of being born.
Synopsis
The first day of life is different for every animal. Human newborns donand#8217;t do much at all, but some animals hit the ground running. The Caldecott Honorand#8211;winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page apply their considerable talents to revealing howand#160;twenty twoand#160;different species, from the emperor penguin to the Siberian tiger, adapt to that traumatic first few hours of life, with or without parental help. Jenkinsand#8217;s vividly colorful cut-paper illustrations are eye-poppingly three-dimensional and as exquisite as ever. While the text is short and sweet, an illustrated guide provides descriptions of theand#160;twenty twoand#160;animals in the back. Fantastic!
Synopsis
A beaver slaps its tail on the water to warn other beavers of approaching danger. A mother bat returning to the cave can locate her baby among two or three million other bats by using a special cry. And the male hippopotamus marks his territory by spinning his tail and scattering his dung.
These are just a few of the unusual ways animals communicate with one another. This beautifully illustrated work by noted author and illustrator Steve Jenkins describes many more fascinating and curious ways of animal communication.
Synopsis
Roxane Orgilland#8217;s vivid words and Leonard Jenkinsand#8217;s dramatic pictures combine to tell the story of a boy who grew up to be a giant of jazzand#151;the legendary and beloved Louis Armstrong. As a poor boy in New Orleans, where music was everywhereand#151;dancing out of doorways, singing on street corners, crying from the cornet of the great Joe Oliver for all to hearand#151;Louis longed for a horn so that he too could sing, bring home pennies, and, most of all, tap happy-feet blues till the sun rose. It wasnand#8217;t going to be easy. Many things, not all of them good, had to happen before he got his horn. But when at last he did, he sent music spiraling up into the New Orleans night sky like a spinning top gone crazy.
Synopsis
Animals move! Follow them as they swing, dance, float, leap, and slide from page to page, then learn why these animals move the way they do, from the jumping spider who dances to impress and then floats away on a thread of silk, to the roadrunner who flies, but not too far, and would rather run to catch its prey.
Illustrated in eye-popping cut- and torn-paper collages by Caldecott Honor artist Steve Jenkins, Move! is a playful introduction to motion in the animal kingdom that invites young readers to guess some of the unusual ways that animals get around.
Action is the name of the game, so Move!
Synopsis
Elephants swim gracefully underwater and use their trunks like snorkels. Hippos sink to the bottom and go to sleep. Walruses sing as they swim along, and so do whales. Linda Capus Riley has written a lovely - and informative - poem about the ways that sixteen animals behave in water and added notes for those readers who would like to know more about the animals. Steve Jenkins's beautiful and playful cut-paper illustrations capture the diversity of the swimmers.
Synopsis
In this accessible and informative picture book, take a journey throughout the animal kingdom and explore the many ways animal babies are created. From sea sponges, to frogs, to tigers and dolphins, look at the ways animals find and attract mates and how the reproductive process works.
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.
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.