Steve Jenkins' Birthday

Author and illustrator Steve Jenkins was born in Hickory, NC on March 31, 1952. Jenkins attributes his love of books to the lifestyle he lived as a young child. With a father in the military, Jenkins traveled around a lot and didn't have many friends. On his website, he states that his ideas for children's books stemmed mostly from the questions his own children asked him when they were little. I've decided to share with you today, three of Jenkins' works.

Jenkins, Steve.
Actual Size.
2004.
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Guided Reading Level: L

Immediately, Jenkins introduces readers to the concept of this book - allowing readers to see what the actual size of animals looks like in comparison to ourselves. The illustrations are simple, torn paper pieced together to form the animals or insects mentioned throughout. Coupled with the illustrations, Jenkins provides very basic details about the animals, typically how big they are and how much they weigh. At the end of the book, more details are provided for the avid animal/insect lovers! This book will be a hit for any child who shows an interest in animals and bugs!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Create Life-Sized Visualizations to Compare Size and Measurement
• Measuring Actual Size
• 2006 Nominee: The Monarch Award

Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page.
Sisters & Brothers.
2008.
Houghton Mifflin Company.

In yet another non-fiction picture book, Jenkins shares with youngsters more information about animals and insects. How many are born in each litter? How do they work together? How do they stay together? Why are some only children while others are identical quadruplets? The book answers all these questions... and a whole lot more, including basics about each animal: where they live, how big they are, how much they weigh, etc.

This book would be wonderful to have for any child who is an animal love, curious and inquisitive by nature or even for a classroom to introduce students to an animal research project!

Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page.
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
2003.
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Guided Reading Level: J

Another wonderful book by Steve Jenkins! This might even have been my favorite of the three! Children will learn quickly that different animals have different uses for their body parts. Not only will they learn that different body parts have different uses, they'll be able to tell you what each animal uses that body part for! This would be perfect in perhaps a K-2 classroom when students are learning about how animals can adapt to their environments to live.

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• The Monarch Award Lesson Plans
• What Would You Do With a Tail Like This? Activities
• Why Do You Classify This?
• What's Your Function?

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.