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4.17 of 5 stars
A Caldecott Honor-winning duo explores animal symbiosis and offers readers a close-up, step-by-step view of nature's fascinating partnerships. Full... read full description

reviews

Sep 23, 2010
Luann rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Another great Steve Jenkins animal book for older students, this one is set up in something of a graphic novel format with information and illustrations presented in boxes. Various symbiotic relationships in the animal kingdom are presented. This is the second Jenkins' book I've read that he's written with Robin Page (the other was What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?). It's fun that they describe their collaboration as symbiotic. There is a lot of information presented here, but splitting it u More...
3 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 16, 2010
Treasa rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Another great book from Steve Jenkins (and his wife, Robin Page, although I am less familiar with her). This one discusses some interesting symbiotic (yes, that word is used in the book) relationships between animals, specifically relationships in which both animals benefit. Some of these animal partnerships were familiar to me, but many were not - there were even some that I had thought I knew about, but learned that I didn't quite understand what was going on. And the partnerships are all so i More...
Jun 01, 2010
Tasha rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A fascinating tour through symbiotic relationships in the animal kingdom, this book uses comic book frames and short text bubbles to become incredibly appealing to reluctant readers. Filled with Jenkins’ paperwork illustrations that offer clarity beyond that of photographs, this book is a visual treat. It is also filled with interesting facts, and is sure to surprise even the most informed reader with several of the relationships inside. Journey through symbiotic relationships where one anima More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
May 02, 2010
Barky rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Intricate and colorful torn paper collages illustrate the fascinating symbiotic (mutualistic) relationships between various animals and organisms. Their stories are told in comic book/graphic novel-like panels, describing the nature of the relationship and how it benefits each animal. Even if you know something about symbiosis, this book really brings it to life – from cleaner birds and fish that risk their lives removing parasites from otherwise deadly predators to interspecies hunting teams More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 04, 2010
Heather rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Once again, the brilliant duo of Jenkins and Page have created a winning nonfiction picture book. This time they tackle the subject of symbiosis in the animal kingdom. As usual, the eye-catching collages of cut and torn paper grab the reader’s attention. The book’s design using separate panels helps keep the information organized. The selection of animals includes well-known collaborators like the remora and tiger shark as well as lesser-known partners such as the mongoose and warthog. Often, th More...
Jun 12, 2010
Lisa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is an absolutely superb book about animal symbiosis. I learned so much. The information is given in a fascinating manner. The illustrations are outstanding.

This “symbiotic collaboration” between Steve Jenkins and Robin Page is just terrific.

The (collage?) illustrations are gorgeous, educational, and riveting.

The information is so interesting. I learned a lot. In fact, I knew very little of the details contained in this book. As I was reading, I couldn’t h More...
8 comments like (3 people liked it)
Jul 10, 2011
Sunday rated it: 5 of 5 stars
How does a Nile crocodile keep its teeth clean? How does the sunfish care for its worm infested skin? How does the honeyguide bird break into a bees’ nest? They have partners! Using cut-paper art and a graphic-novel format, Jenkins and Page bring to life the unexpected beneficial relationships between various animals. Less familiar facts are included about well-known partnerships. For example, a clownfish slowly develops resistance to a sea anemone by brushing lightly against the stinging tentac More...
Dec 26, 2010
Eva rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I think I found about about this in last months Book Page and when I saw it was the same author who did What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? I knew we had to get it. Julia has loved that book for so long and we still read it on a regular basis.
This is definitely as different as it is similiar to her favorite Jenkins book. They're both oh so informative - even for an adult - but this is much more detailed. A detail-oriented kid, like mine, will adore it. I learned more than a few new fact More...
Jun 28, 2011
Chandra rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Another fabulous book by Steve Jenkins all about unique animal behaviors - this time about symbiotic relationships. This one features his signature cut paper illustrations, but with a slight twist in that the layout is more like a graphic novel and it works very well. Highly, highly recommended - along with pretty much every other book he's written and/or illustrated.

My favorites (to name just a few):
Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember
Prehistoric Actual Size More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Nov 15, 2011
Naomi rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book is kind of organized in a strange form. It is set up comic-strip style. It is about the symbiotic relationship between many different animals. But it is very informative and interesting. It has a lot of less-known facts about animals and their relationships. It would have been nice to have real photographs. It is a very fascinating book. At the end it has facts about all the animals and plants mentioned.
Jan 16, 2011
Barbara rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Another favorite by Steve Jenkins! How to Clean a Hippopotamus will engage kids of all ages as it shares a picture of symbiotic relationships over time. The different perspectives of the animals in each relationship helped me see how they depend on each other for support. The graphic novel format worked perfectly for me to follow the information and the added tidbits throughout completed the picture.
Aug 12, 2010
Sarah rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is a cute book! Not only are the pictures adorable, but the information provided is interesting.

The information is presented in an almost comic book format, which is different for a nonfiction book. We learn about animal symbiosis--how certain wild animals/insects/fish/etc. work together to eat, get clean, hunt, and more.

Only 32 pages, it is a quick read!
Jan 10, 2011
Snorkle rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The illustrations for this book were fantastic. I loved how they made collages with different materials that still looked like actual photos of the animals. There was a lot of neat relationships in this book and I thought it did a good job of being educational without being boring. In fact, I wasn't bored at all, and I learned several things that I didn't know after reading this book. I'd definitely recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010/12... More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 08, 2010
Lynn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I loved the text on this book - fascinating stuff. I'd have given this five stars but the layout put me off a bit. Each picture is just a bit small so I had to pull the book close to examine it and the overall effect is rather busy. I'm going to give this to my grandsons tomorrow and see what they think. It is definitely a single-reader book.
May 04, 2010
Jane rated it: 4 of 5 stars
More spectacular collage illustrations by Jenkins and loaded with fascinating, accessible information about the symbiotic relationships between many animals. The pages are a bit chaotic in that there are multiple images and panels on each page. This lends itself to a sit and explore type of reading than a good read aloud book.
Jun 05, 2010
W.H. rated it: 4 of 5 stars
What does a water buffalo see in an egret? Why would a badger want a coyote for company? What makes a horse mackerel think he can hang around with a Portugese man-of-war---and live to tell about it? Find out about these unlikely partnerships and more in this book.
Dec 21, 2011
Laura rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Steve Jenkins, as usual, does a beautiful job explaining the wonders of the natural world. I especially like this book because the varied example are very clear and the graphic novel feel is innovative and fresh. Highly recommended for grades 2 - 4.
Jun 22, 2010
Christiane rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A close-up view of symbiosis, nature’s most fascinating and ingenious partnerships. I learned a lot from this book about how different animals have learned to work together to mutual benefit. Plus---Steve Jenkins gorgeous cut-paper illustrations!
Jul 05, 2010
Abby rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The cut-paper collage illustrations are laid out in comic-like panels, a layout that I found very appealing. And it's amazing how much information the authors were able to cram into a slim book (without it being overwhelming). Sections at the back of the book give additional information about symbiotic relationships and about the animals pictured (such as where they live, what they eat, etc.).

Blogged - http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/07/...
Oct 14, 2010
Kate Hastings rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Grades K-5. I can never get enough of Steve Jenkins! This is another great book about animals and how many different species have found a way to pair up to enhance survival.

Use in a unit about animal adaptations.
Mar 14, 2011
Marcia rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A picture book on symbiosis. I like Steve Jenkins' nonfiction picture books and his layered paper illustrations.Packed with interesting examples, this one was very well received by the second grade.
Jan 17, 2011
Maureen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
An excellent non- fiction title about symbiotic relationships in the natural world, with an emphasis on those visible to the eye and deftly illustrated with Jenkins' trademark papercuts.
Jan 16, 2011
stillme rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A fun way to learn about symbiosis!
I also liked how the vocab words were bolded, and then listed in the back under miniature versions of each page.
ALA ALSC Notable 2011
Jan 31, 2011
Shawn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jenkins and Page have done it again! This is top quality picture book nonfiction. Grades K-3 for perusing, but there is lots of info in here for the older set too.
Apr 22, 2010
Karen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Steve Jenkins is so talented! I think this book would be best for 2nd grade and up. I love the smaller illustrations and the almost graphic novel-esque style.
Jul 07, 2011
MagnoliaMom rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I adore this book! It has great pictures, which help illustrate the theme of the book, symbiosis (how animals help other animals).
Sep 14, 2011
Skedatt rated it: 5 of 5 stars
It is a great way to introduce animal symbiotic relationships to young children. I highly suggest it.
Nov 23, 2010
June rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A picture book format of symbiotic animal relationships. I enjoyed that humans and dogs were included.
Aug 03, 2010
stegersaurus rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I think Steve Jenkins is my favorite kids' science writer. Also, good lord, those collages are amazing.
Apr 24, 2011
Nicole rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked the information presented and the cool comic book style illustrations. It was a little too much info for one sitting for my 5 year old, so definitely skew a bit older or break it up.