Bibliography Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780547255552 Plot Summary This interactive guessing book encourages readers to explore the amazing things animals can do with their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet. Readers of all ages will enjoy guessing the animals and how they use their specialized extremities to stay cool, protect themselves, find food, etc. Critical Analysis In this eye-catching nonfiction book about animals and their specialized body parts, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page create an interactive learning experience for young readers. Both Jenkins and Page, who frequently collaborate (and are also husband and wife!), are well-known for providing accurate, entertaining informational books for younger readers. This particular title was a Caldecott Honor Book in 2004 and remains on numerous list of exemplary nonfiction titles for children. This informational text is organized in a way that encourages the reader to guess what animal each body part belongs to and how they use it. The authors include normal adaptations that are easily recognizable, as well as more jaw-dropping adaptations like a cricket with ears on its knees and a horned lizard that squirts blood out of its eyes. These interesting facts will engage young readers and provide that “wow” factor that is likely to encourage further nonfiction reading. The book follows a clear sequence, showing a snapshot of the body parts with a question like, “What do you do with a nose like this?” Readers will excite in guessing each animal and how they use their nose, ears, tail, eyes, mouth, and feet. The illustrations add to the book by providing accurate pictures that are still accessible for younger readers. Even though they are cut-paper collage and not actual photographs, the authors have taken care to ensure that each animal is accurately represented as it looks in nature. One of the most important features of What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? is the brief explanation of each animal at the end of the book. The authors dedicate the last four pages to a picture dictionary explaining more about each of the animals presented and the specialized way they use their body parts. Overall, this book is entertaining and fun while remaining clear, concise, and scientific. It is truly a gem of nonfiction that young readers will enjoy interacting with and learning from time and time again. Response I have always loved Steve Jenkins and his wonderful works of nonfiction. I found this title to be particularly enjoyable, especially when shared with my young readers. The students I shared the story with (ages 5-8) greatly enjoyed guessing what each animal was and how it used that particular body part. They also enjoyed reading more about each animal at the end of the book, and had many more questions to ask that we are now researching. This title is a great work of nonfiction that encourages young readers to enjoy and, hopefully, continue reading nonfiction in the future. Honors 2004 Caldecott Honor American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2004 Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year 2003 National Council for Teachers of English Notable Children's Book 2004 Reviews “Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book. Children will learn that lizards can completely break off their tail as a defense and that it will grow back. And, they'll find out that crickets' ears are on their knees. Most fish have two eyes, but some have four, the better to see above and below the water at the same time. These are just a few of the fascinating facts of nature dangled out front to draw readers into this beautifully illustrated book. On each spread, five different animals' tails, ears, eyes, or other body parts, done in vibrant cut-paper collage, appear with a simple question ("What do you do with a- like this?"). The next spread shows the five creatures in their entirety and offers a brief explanation. For example, "If you're an elephant, you use your nose to give yourself a bath." The back pages offer more information for older or more curious readers. This is a great book for sharing one-on-one or with a group.” –School Library Journal “Here's another exceptional cut-paper science book from Jenkins, this time put together with a partner, and like previous books, it's a stunner. An opening page, clearly explaining how to use the book, is followed by a double-page spread picturing the mouths of several different animals, accompanied by the question, "What do you do with a mouth like this?" The next spread shows each animal in full, explaining in a few simple words how the part functions. Tail, ears, nose, and eyes are covered in the same manner. A picture glossary at the back shows each animal again, postage-stamp size, with an informative note elaborating on the creature's special adaptation. The notes also neatly answer questions that might arise during a reading (Why do horned lizards squirt blood out their eyes?) and add to the interactive aspect of the book. A variety of animals is represented--some (elephant, hippo, chimp) will be comfortably familiar; others (four-eyed fish, blue-footed booby) are of interest because of their strangeness. Jenkins' handsome paper-cut collages are both lovely and anatomically informative, and their white background helps emphasize the particular feature, be it the bush baby's lustrous, liquid-brown eyes or the skunk's fuzzy tail. This is a striking, thoughtfully created book with intriguing facts made more memorable through dynamic art.” – Booklist, starred review Connections
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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