PreS-Gr 5-In striking torn-and-cut paper collages, Jenkins depicts 18 animals
and insects-or a part of their body-in actual size. One illustration compares
an atlas moth with a 12-inch wingspan to a dwarf goby fish, which is 1/3-inch
long. The eye of a giant squid, at a foot across, occupies a spread to
terrific effect; only the snout and tongue-curling its two-foot length across
two pages and littered with termites-are visible in the picture of the giant
anteater. The hand of a gorilla fills a page opposite the entire pygmy mouse
lemur with its tiny human-fingertip-sized palm. The saltwater crocodile grows
to 23 feet, so tremendous that its head occupies a three-page foldout. On the
reverse side is the rat-eating Goliath frog, a staggering 36 inches long in
full hop. One or two lines of text briefly introduce each animal and give
specific measurements, e.g., the gorilla stands 5 1/2 feet tall and weighs 600
pounds, while the mouse lemur is 2 1/2 inches tall and weighs 1 ounce. The end
matter offers full pictures of the creatures and more details about their
habitats and habits. 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.-Dona
Ratterree, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2004 Reed Business
Information.
