Actual Size

Actual Size
By Steve Jenkins
Publisher/Date:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2004
# of Pages: 32
Reading Level: K-4
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary:

This book is a giant picture book full of information. Each page has a picture of an animal, or part of an animal that is actual size. For example, on the cover it shows the actual size of a gorilla's hand. One of the pages shows the actual size of a crocodile's head with a triple fold out. It also contains animals such as a dwarf goby, a worm, a goliath bird eater tarantula, a giant squid, and a tiger. The pictures are fun to look at and compare to the size of yourself.

Who benefits from reading this book?

I think anyone can enjoy learning from this book. However, it's especially designed to benefit young readers with an interest in the size of animals. I read it to my four year-old nephew, and he enjoyed it just as much as I do.

What problems/conflicts could this book potentially cause?

I can't see there being any reason for a conflict to arise from reading this book. It's simply educational.

My Reaction:

I think this is a very fun book to read. It's one that is especially good for reading out loud to a child to stimulate conversation and learning. I read it to my nephew who is 4. It was fun to see him compare himself to the pictures. On the one with the gorilla hand, we both put our hands inside, and he awed at how big it was. On the picture with the giant squid's eye, he put his eye up to it and asked, "is mine that big?". On the picture with the huge crocodile head, he exclaimed, "grandma's arm could fit in it's mouth!". It was cute to see him do this with every picture. I think this is a really cool book that kids will find fun as well as informational.