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82nd out of 272 books
—
180 voters
Actual Size
How big is a crocodile? What about a tiger, or the world’s largest spider? Can you imagine a tongue that is two feet long or an eye that’s bigger than your head? Sometimes facts and figures don’t tell the whole story. Sometimes you need to see things for yourself—at their actual size.
Hardcover, 34 pages
Published
May 25th 2004
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published 2004)
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My children loved reading and looking at the book Actual Size by Steve Jenkins. This book shows the actual size of either animals or parts of animals by using collages of cut and torn paper. Being able to look a tiger in the eyes is rather scary, but this book makes it fun because you see what it would really look like, but not have to worry about being eaten. Besides the artwork, each page also gives a small amount of information about that particular animal and also information about it's size...more
This is a book that explores the idea of size by giving readers illustrations of the different sizes of body parts of different animals. To accomplish this, the body parts on animals are illustrated as life-size. Following the illustrations are a comment about the animals’ length, width, and/or height measurements. For example, one of the pages lets readers compare their hand size to one of a gorilla. At the end of the book there are short summaries about each animal illustrated throughout the b...more
Main Characters: Animals
Setting: N/A
POV: Narrator
Grade Level: K-2
Reading Level: Fountas-Pinnell - L
Genre: Information
Steve Jenkins is an amazing author of children’s books that present facts to the student while keeping things very interesting. This book falls in line with the other Jenkins books. On the pages of this book, you get to see the actual size of many different things in the animal kingdom. For example, they have an eye for an octopus that actually takes up two pages that you have to...more
Setting: N/A
POV: Narrator
Grade Level: K-2
Reading Level: Fountas-Pinnell - L
Genre: Information
Steve Jenkins is an amazing author of children’s books that present facts to the student while keeping things very interesting. This book falls in line with the other Jenkins books. On the pages of this book, you get to see the actual size of many different things in the animal kingdom. For example, they have an eye for an octopus that actually takes up two pages that you have to...more
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins is a non-fiction picture book for the Nursery(N) and Early Primary(P) reading group. A 2005 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book.
A book of 18 different animals pictured in actual size/parts of their bodies in actual size. Realistic images allow children to imagine a two foot tongue, an eyeball bigger than a human head, an so on. Interesting facts are presented with each animal. My favorite page is the hand of a gorilla in actual size! Children will love comparing their hand...more
A book of 18 different animals pictured in actual size/parts of their bodies in actual size. Realistic images allow children to imagine a two foot tongue, an eyeball bigger than a human head, an so on. Interesting facts are presented with each animal. My favorite page is the hand of a gorilla in actual size! Children will love comparing their hand...more
Grade Level/Interest Level: K-3rd
Reading Level: Level 2.5, 2nd Grade
Main Characters: N/A
POV: Narrator
Setting:N/A
Actual size is about talking to students about size. Tis book puts several animals’ sizes into perspective for students. The book does not stray away from extremely large animals; it talks about some of the world largest animals including an elephant and crocodile. The pictures of the specific parts of the animals are the actual size, and then there is a brief description of the animal...more
Reading Level: Level 2.5, 2nd Grade
Main Characters: N/A
POV: Narrator
Setting:N/A
Actual size is about talking to students about size. Tis book puts several animals’ sizes into perspective for students. The book does not stray away from extremely large animals; it talks about some of the world largest animals including an elephant and crocodile. The pictures of the specific parts of the animals are the actual size, and then there is a brief description of the animal...more
Actual Size is a picture book and a nonfiction book written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. This book won multiple awards Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book, Orbis Pictus Honor Book, International Reading Association “Childrens Choices 2005” non-fiction, and CHILD Magazine Best book of the Year. The intended age group for this book is nursery – primary age’s birth – eight years old. This book displays actual sizes of animals so the reader can compare their sizes. Jenkins thought of making this b...more
In the picture book, Actual Size by Steve Jenkins, images of all the animals shown are at actual size, both large and small. Page by page the author shows a number of animals, displayed in their actual size, with their dimensions included beneath the image. For the larger images it’s almost startling to see just how grand the actual size is in proportion to the page of the book. For example, one turns the page to see it is entirely filled with the eyeball of the giant squid, measuring in at twel...more
1 like · like · see review
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 presented through nontraditional measurement.
c. T...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 presented through nontraditional measurement.
c. T...more
Jenkins presents various animals and insects, or parts of them in actual size using cut and torn paper collages. Some of the authentically colored collages represent the entire animal at actual size. Others show a specific body part at actual size according to what fits on a page or on a two page spread. The actual physical dimensions and some interesting facts (what is eaten) are presented for the illustrations. Two fold-outs present a Goliath frog and the teeth/mouth of a saltwater crocodile....more
1 like · like · see review
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 first spread, the reader’s eyes are draw...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 first spread, the reader’s eyes are draw...more
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 size...more
1 like · like · see review
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 unique technique used of layere...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 unique technique used of layere...more
Oct 09, 2010
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
kids fascinated by nature & animals & size differences
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 type are the most featur...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 type are the most featur...more
7 likes · like · see review
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...more
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 length...more
Jun 29, 2011
Tracey Melcher
added it
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...more
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 life-size, but...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 life-size, but...more
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins is one of my favorite picture books. This book explores the idea of size. This book puts the idea of the size of different animals into perspective for it’s reader. The bigger animals are not forgotten about either. The elephant and crocodile are some amazingly big animals that are explored for their size. In this book parts of animals are focused on in real life size, then there is a description of the animals with measurements. One of my favorite pages is the goril...more
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 feat...more
1 like · like · see review
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 earthworm, all 36 in...more
6 likes · like · see review
Actual Size is a book that shows the true size of different parts of animals. The reader gets to see the size of a squid's eye, the length of an anteater's tongue, the hand of a gorilla, and more. The illustrations of this book are very life-like and help grab the reader's attention. Steve Jenkins does a wonderful job showing students the actual size of these animals and providing dimensions of the animal. This book would be a wonderful introduction to a math projects about measuring certain par...more
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 because they...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 because they...more
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!
(Mommy's review from 5/12)
I forget what Jenkins book set Julia and I on our kick but this month we grabbed just about all the books written or illustrated by Jenkins that we thought we'd like. We have a few more to go but we've done the top contenders.
This is one of the best. We both prefer the books he's written over solely illustrating and for such simple subjects Jenkins really manages to turn them around and make them fresh.
Who doesn't know a bear is big? But looking at the page with a bear...more
I forget what Jenkins book set Julia and I on our kick but this month we grabbed just about all the books written or illustrated by Jenkins that we thought we'd like. We have a few more to go but we've done the top contenders.
This is one of the best. We both prefer the books he's written over solely illustrating and for such simple subjects Jenkins really manages to turn them around and make them fresh.
Who doesn't know a bear is big? But looking at the page with a bear...more
Apr 10, 2011
Jess
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teachers, kids, etc.
Recommended to Jess by:
Mom
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 resist pairing your hand with the...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 resist pairing your hand with the...more
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 the connecti...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 the connecti...more
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 check out mo...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 check out mo...more
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...more
2 likes · like · see review
Steve Jenkins created a interesting perspective on animals and their sizes. Many times it is difficult for children to imagine how large or small a particular animal is unless it is standing right in front of them. Actual Size has detailed pictures that have small interesting facts about every animal beneath the pictures. Jenkins's illustrations really catch the eyes of my kindergarten students and keep them interested throughout the book. The only downside to this book might be the facts are at...more
I really enjoyed this book and I think students will too. Since animals are typically just shown on a fit-to-page scale, I think a lot of students have misconceptions about how truely big or small animals are. While I LOVE the way illustrations were done, I think it would have been better to show more life-like illutrations or photographs in order to realistically portray the animals, as is the author's intent. I would use this book during an animal unit or as a reference when reading other text...more
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I also missed the smaller animals! I’ll have to go back and check them out.
I enjoyed your review and like all the suggestions you offer on how...more
updated Mar 06, 2012 07:14pm