reviews
Nov 28, 2011
Jeannie
rated it: 
Citation: Actual Size, Steve Jenkins, Houghton Mifflin, 2004, 32p, Picture-Junior book/Informational.
Genre: Informational
Summary: This a book of authentic life sizes, packed with information concerning the measurements of its subjects and more.
Critique: a. The illustrations in this book give a real live meaning to the facts and figures in this book.
b. The strength of the book comes from the ability of the reader to become one with the information pres More...
Genre: Informational
Summary: This a book of authentic life sizes, packed with information concerning the measurements of its subjects and more.
Critique: a. The illustrations in this book give a real live meaning to the facts and figures in this book.
b. The strength of the book comes from the ability of the reader to become one with the information pres More...
Dec 08, 2011
Angelina
rated it: 
1. Informational
2. This shows the actual size of whole animals (ex. pygmy mouse lemur) to parts of animals (ex. a gorilla’s hand).
3. A. Illustrations/ Content
B. Steve Jenkins uses collages of cut and torn paper to illustrate this informational book. The use of/ lack of white space alongside the composition of illustrations allow the reader to focus on the animal(s) being featured.
With every illustration is text that gives facts about the animal.
C. In the fir More...
2. This shows the actual size of whole animals (ex. pygmy mouse lemur) to parts of animals (ex. a gorilla’s hand).
3. A. Illustrations/ Content
B. Steve Jenkins uses collages of cut and torn paper to illustrate this informational book. The use of/ lack of white space alongside the composition of illustrations allow the reader to focus on the animal(s) being featured.
With every illustration is text that gives facts about the animal.
C. In the fir More...
Apr 30, 2010
(NS) Amie
rated it:
Named one of the Orbis Pictus honor books for 2005, Actual Size by Steve Jenkins is made up of torn and cut paper collages of life-size animals or animal parts. School Library Journal calls the book “an enticing way to introduce children to diversity in the natural world.” Not only is it enticing to its audience – preschool through grade five – but this book is amazing for anyone, regardless of age, who picks it up. The book’s cover immediately grabs you by comparing a gorilla’s hand to the s
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5 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 01, 2010
Lisa
rated it: 
I am fascinated by the illustrations in this book.
Animals shown in their actual size, the giant squid for example is shown only by one eye that takes up most of the full two page spread. The giant alligator's jaws and teeth are shown on a fold out page, that is wonderful but makes the book slightly less appropriate for library use because there is an easier chance of the page getting torn or bent etc.
The other thing I love about these illustrations is the fairly uniqu More...
Animals shown in their actual size, the giant squid for example is shown only by one eye that takes up most of the full two page spread. The giant alligator's jaws and teeth are shown on a fold out page, that is wonderful but makes the book slightly less appropriate for library use because there is an easier chance of the page getting torn or bent etc.
The other thing I love about these illustrations is the fairly uniqu More...
Oct 09, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This is yet another picture book about nature from Jenkins, and another winner.
I’ll try to remember this book next time I say I have a large spider in my apartment. I never knew there were spiders so large, and I’m glad I’ve never seen one off the pages of a book.
This is a rather large picture book and a couple of times pages fold out so there is more space to see the actual size of an animal or part of an animal. Biggest, heaviest, occasionally smallest animals of their More...
I’ll try to remember this book next time I say I have a large spider in my apartment. I never knew there were spiders so large, and I’m glad I’ve never seen one off the pages of a book.
This is a rather large picture book and a couple of times pages fold out so there is more space to see the actual size of an animal or part of an animal. Biggest, heaviest, occasionally smallest animals of their More...
6 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Mar 04, 2010
Baylee
rated it:
The illustrations in this picture book are created by cut and torn paper that has been arranged into collages. The use of this artistic media gives the illustrations an appearance that is much different from those done by painting or drawing. Rather than looking like the illustration is flat and smooth on the page, the collage technique gives the pictures a three-dimensional feeling. The illustrations appear to have texture and depth. They seem to leap off the page and encourage the reader to to
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Jun 30, 2011
Mary Lou
rated it:
Steve Jenkins has created an awesomely beautiful and educational informational picture book with Actual Size. An oversized book for some oversized animals, Jenkins uses colorful and dynamic collage art to depict the actual size of an atlas moth, the eye of a giant squid, the two-foot long tongue of a giant anteater, the hand of a huge gorilla and an enormous pull-out page for the goliath frog which is 36 inches in length with legs fully extended. Each drawing is accompanied by the actual lengt
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Jun 29, 2011
In Actual Size, Jenkins introduces us to a variety of animals, from the small dwarf goby fish to the enormous Siberian tiger. Jenkins demonstrates his mastery in paper collage by creating images of parts of these animals in “actual size.” Included on each page are the animal’s measurements to give the reader a better idea of its size. Young readers will love learning about new animals, as well as seeing familiar animals from a different perspective. Don’t be surprised if your read aloud is accom
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Dec 09, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
1. Informational Junior Book
2. This book, by Steve Jenkins, provides an interesting look into small and large real-world animals. The create of illustrations that are the actual size of each animal creates a long-lasting impression on every reader. There are also informational facts of each animal at the end of the book.
3. Creations/illustrations. Jenkins does an excellent job in this real-sized book.The novel way Jenkins illustrates these animals makes them appear real-like and lif More...
2. This book, by Steve Jenkins, provides an interesting look into small and large real-world animals. The create of illustrations that are the actual size of each animal creates a long-lasting impression on every reader. There are also informational facts of each animal at the end of the book.
3. Creations/illustrations. Jenkins does an excellent job in this real-sized book.The novel way Jenkins illustrates these animals makes them appear real-like and lif More...
Mar 08, 2011
L11_Margaret
rated it:
Actual Size, by Steve Jenkins, is an original and visually captivating book that shows the actual scale or size of various animals and insects. From a dwarf goby (the smallest fish of all) to an African Elephant, Jenkins gives the reader an excellent visual perspective which shows the creature's actual size. The artwork is beautiful and will be sure to grab the interest of any young reader. At the end of the story the author gives additional facts and pertinent information about the animals fe
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3 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 15, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
What fun! A book about animals that presents them "actual size" Well, not that the book is big enough to fit a gorilla or a giant squid, but you can see the actual size of the giant squid's eye (about the size of a basketball!) and put up your hand to see how BIG the gorilla's hand is by comparison. There are some really cute little animals that are shown in their entirety, like the teensy pygmy lemur. And if you're into creepy-crawlies, there's the full-size giant Gippsland earth
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10 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Nov 30, 2009
Ericka
rated it:
Pre-k
Jenkins book is a masterpiece in illustrations. The pages show actual sizes of different objects that look like they were put together with many objects. They appear to be made out of paper, paint, fur, and pen. The pages appear to have texture, when in fact, they are smooth. The reading is easy for small children because it only says a few words every few pages. The words are in bold of what the object is along side a fun fact about the size. Children can relate to this story b More...
Jenkins book is a masterpiece in illustrations. The pages show actual sizes of different objects that look like they were put together with many objects. They appear to be made out of paper, paint, fur, and pen. The pages appear to have texture, when in fact, they are smooth. The reading is easy for small children because it only says a few words every few pages. The words are in bold of what the object is along side a fun fact about the size. Children can relate to this story b More...
Apr 16, 2009
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
Kids love to put their hands up alongside that of the gorilla. It still amazes me that all his illustrations are done with cut and torn paper. Such talent!
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 11, 2011
Jess
rated it:
Jenkins uses collage illustrations to present a collection of animals (or parts of animals) drawn (collaged?) to scale.
Pretty great. Everything is to scale and Jenkins created interesting pairings. The kids absolutely loved it. What's nice is that there are a couple facts on each page to tell them while they react to the illustrations. (I didn't share all because weight and length can get repetitive, but they're useful tidbits to toss in).
Read it and just try to res More...
Pretty great. Everything is to scale and Jenkins created interesting pairings. The kids absolutely loved it. What's nice is that there are a couple facts on each page to tell them while they react to the illustrations. (I didn't share all because weight and length can get repetitive, but they're useful tidbits to toss in).
Read it and just try to res More...
Nov 15, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
This is a great picture book that gives the reader a real insight in the actual size of items such as how big a gorilla hand is, the size of alligator snot, ostrich heads, etc.
My students enjoyed the pictures of this book not only because they can take their own limbs and compare themselves to it, but because the pictures looked drawn were textured with what looked to me as some sort of paper. The amount of knowledge that is gained through looking at these pictures and then drawing More...
My students enjoyed the pictures of this book not only because they can take their own limbs and compare themselves to it, but because the pictures looked drawn were textured with what looked to me as some sort of paper. The amount of knowledge that is gained through looking at these pictures and then drawing More...
Nov 15, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
My students are captivated by Steve Jenkin's books! Actual Size provides the reader with a real-world perspective of animal sizes. This informational text not only provides its reader with actual size visuals, but also explains and presents factual information during the story, and each animal is further detailed at the end of the book.
Steve Jenkins also writes a Prehistoric Actual Size, as well as many great informational books for children. This book has actually inspired me to go More...
Steve Jenkins also writes a Prehistoric Actual Size, as well as many great informational books for children. This book has actually inspired me to go More...
Mar 08, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
My class loved when we read this book together. This picture book is good for students in Kindergarten and up. The book presents many animals or parts of animals with a short text and a picture that is the size of that animal or animal part. For example, the eye of the giant squid takes up an entire page. The information is presented with a bit of humor and end notes that give more facts about each animal. The pictures are bright and stand out on the white background. It would be fun to have stu
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2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Nov 20, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins is an incredibly creative informational book. Jenkins purpose is to provide readers with facts about different animals and visuals of the actual size. For example, a giant anteater's tongue is two feet long, so Jenkins provides a visual of this animals head with a tongue the actual size of two feet. The visual is accompanied with additional facts like the length of the body and tail as well as the weight. In addition to the two page spread of these animals, in th
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0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 21, 2008
Barbara
rated it:
CIP: In this visually stunning book, seeing is believing as Steve Jenkins illustrates animals both large and small at ACTUAL SIZE.
REVIEW: Jenkin's amazing cut paper art paired with the concept of showing actual sizes of animals no matter how much of them fits on the page is a hit! This over-sized book is great for storytimes and read alouds, as children will ooh and aah over the one foot eye of a squid vs. a 1 foot tarantula. The paired pages show a great eye for choosing contrastin More...
REVIEW: Jenkin's amazing cut paper art paired with the concept of showing actual sizes of animals no matter how much of them fits on the page is a hit! This over-sized book is great for storytimes and read alouds, as children will ooh and aah over the one foot eye of a squid vs. a 1 foot tarantula. The paired pages show a great eye for choosing contrastin More...
May 19, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Ever wanted to know the actual size of a giant squid's eye? How about a gorilla's hand? An elephant's foot? Actual Size is a large book with fold-out pages that does just that with great paper-cut-out illustrations. This is a fantastic book to "read" to children of all ages, and they will erupt with cries of "Awesome!" and "Ewww!" and "Whooaaa!"
All ages.
All ages.
Dec 06, 2010
KidsNonFiction
rated it:
Teton County Library Call No: J 591.41 Jenkins
Kurt's Rating: 4 Stars
Steve Jenkins, the author and illustrator of this book, uses paper collages to create images of unusually small and large animals, or portions of them, to give the reader an idea of the varying sizes of animals found in nature. Sometimes, such as on the cover of the book, the images are transposed to give a sense of proportion between different species. Each entry includes information on the height and weight More...
Kurt's Rating: 4 Stars
Steve Jenkins, the author and illustrator of this book, uses paper collages to create images of unusually small and large animals, or portions of them, to give the reader an idea of the varying sizes of animals found in nature. Sometimes, such as on the cover of the book, the images are transposed to give a sense of proportion between different species. Each entry includes information on the height and weight More...
Apr 07, 2009
Krysten
rated it:
Summary: An informational book that features pictures of some of the largest animals (or parts of animals) on earth at actual size
Evaluation: I thought this book was very creative and that kids would like to be able to see the actual size of animals since they usually don’t see these animals in the wild and it is hard to conceptualize how big they really are. Cool texturing with the collage style.
Evaluation: I thought this book was very creative and that kids would like to be able to see the actual size of animals since they usually don’t see these animals in the wild and it is hard to conceptualize how big they really are. Cool texturing with the collage style.
Mar 25, 2009
Angie
rated it:
LOVE his stuff ... he and his wife write non-fiction for kids (mostly about animals). But the really amazing part is his collage art. I could look at it all day. It's amazing.
I showed the first graders several of his books last week. They were duly impressed.
Plus this particular title is just cool. The foldout pages really make a statement.
I showed the first graders several of his books last week. They were duly impressed.
Plus this particular title is just cool. The foldout pages really make a statement.
Apr 15, 2010
Marcia
rated it:
Steve Jenkins creates compelling books-cool paper illustrations and loaded with interesting animal facts. Actual Size was a big hit with the first grade, from the huge gorilla hand to the tiny goby fish. A great way to start talking about nonfiction. Top question from the class,"Do the man eating crocodiles eat girls?" I love first grade.
Aug 31, 2009
Jenny
rated it:
Steve Jankins books are just amazing. This one really gets my 5-year-old interacting with its fold-out pages. The science is great, the illustrations intricate, and it's on a kid's level without talking down. I'll admit I read these books even after the kids are put to bed--there's a more detailed description of each animal in the back.
Jun 30, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
This is probably one of my favorite books read this summer, for my Early Childhood Materials class! Not only are Jenkins' cut-paper illustrations beautiful and enormous (I enjoyed comparing my hand to that of the gorilla inside), but the facts are interesting. The book gives the actual size for different animals/fish/insects and little facts about them. For example, a giant squid's eye is 12 in across!
Aug 16, 2009
Jamie
rated it:
This one is very popular in my elementary media centers! Kids love how the illustrations show the "actual size" of the animals in this book! It may just be an eyeball (the giant squid) or hand (gorilla) that is shown, but my students are captivated! Again- awesome paper layered masterpieces!
Dec 13, 2010
Marisa
rated it:
Full of life size illustrations and bizarre facts about all sorts of critters, big and small, this book is guaranteed to both please and completely gross you out. My least favorite page – the Goliath birdeater tarantula, big enough to catch and eat birds and small mammals. Blech!
Nov 25, 2008
David
rated it:
This was a super great book! I love the idea of comparing your body with the sizes of animal bodies. My kids were scared of some of the pictures, thank goodness they were not photos, but drawings. There weren't many words, but the concepts made up for it.
May 01, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
Awesome book that shows the actual size of different body parts of different animals and insects. It also gives interesting facts about the many animals which include the Alaskan brown bear, a giant squid, a ostrich and many others. Beautiful illustrations.
