Plot Summary
The bones in this book represent both human and different kinds of animal species in a comparison and contrast mode that readers will find engrossing. On one full-bleed page layout the reader will see a human arm/hand in a line-up with similar appendages from various animals. Along side the amazing illustrations are easy-to-understand explanations of the functions of each set of bones.
Personal Reaction
The perfect addition to the school reference section of any school library. I appreciate that Steve Jenkins presents what is often considered a macabre subject in a light-hearted manner.
Memorable Literary Element
If the full-bleed representations of bones, some shown in actual size, doesn't make the readers' eyes pop out, then the three large gatefold spreads certainly will! I can't imagine anyone not being impressed by the eye-popping illustrations.
Illustrations
The cut-paper collages in creams, tans, and off whites are striking against the solid color backgrounds that are different on each page. The expansiveness of each illustration is magnified on the three gatefold spreads, one showing a large snake skeleton that opens to a frightening size, even for a skeleton.
The bones in this book represent both human and different kinds of animal species in a comparison and contrast mode that readers will find engrossing. On one full-bleed page layout the reader will see a human arm/hand in a line-up with similar appendages from various animals. Along side the amazing illustrations are easy-to-understand explanations of the functions of each set of bones.
Personal Reaction
The perfect addition to the school reference section of any school library. I appreciate that Steve Jenkins presents what is often considered a macabre subject in a light-hearted manner.
Memorable Literary Element
If the full-bleed representations of bones, some shown in actual size, doesn't make the readers' eyes pop out, then the three large gatefold spreads certainly will! I can't imagine anyone not being impressed by the eye-popping illustrations.
Illustrations
The cut-paper collages in creams, tans, and off whites are striking against the solid color backgrounds that are different on each page. The expansiveness of each illustration is magnified on the three gatefold spreads, one showing a large snake skeleton that opens to a frightening size, even for a skeleton.
Reviews/Awards
A Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2010
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
2011 SB&F Prize Finalists Children's Science Picture Book
2010 Cybils Nonfiction Picture Book Finalists
ALA Notable Books for Children 2011
From School Library Journal. Starred Review. Grade 3-6 From the life-sized human skull grinning out from the brick-red cover to a complete skeleton waving goodbye from a gatefold late in the book, bones are given an entertaining and fresh treatment. Beginning with the opening spread of life-sized animal bones, human bones are quantified and qualified. Hands, feet, femurs, ribs, spine, and skull are shown and compared to other species. Symmetry and joints as well as adaptations for survival are introduced. Humor abounds in the illustrations as well as in subheadings such as, That's a Handful, Big Foot, and Head Case. Readers will be lured in by interactive touches like What bone is this? and the Some Assembly Required spread with all 206 adult human bones unlabeled and grouped by body area. Displayed against a navy-blue background, the spread opens to the burnt sienna gatefold mentioned above. Two additional gatefolds include a small python (200 ribs) and a collection of skulls. Jenkins's characteristic cut-paper collages in mottled creams and grays are perfectly suited to the topic and contrasted against solid jewel-tone, full-bleed backgrounds. The precise and scaled representations (many life size) are clearly labeled. Text, other than an opening page, is limited and supports the highly visual and sophisticated treatment. A More About Bones spread completes the book with a hodgepodge of fascinating facts. With applications that range from anatomy to evolution and mathematics, this book will find a place in every collection. Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist. One of the foremost illuminators of the animal kingdom here takes a peek beneath the skin. He begins with a single human finger bone, then shows where it fits in the hand, then attaches the arm bones and sets it aside the forelimbs of a mole, spider monkey, gray whale, turtle, and fruit bat to illustrate how they all share the same basic structure. Similar comparisons take a look at feet, legs, rib cages, necks, and heads, almost always using a consistent scale to display the relative size of elephant and stork legs or a giraffe and human neck. Jenkins provides concise chunks of text alongside his always impressive cut-paper collages, which are a little more understated than in some of his other dynamic books (the color scheme ranges from ashy white to dusty gray, with a few touches of calcified yellow). But the clean design of the intricate skeletons set against solid background colors is striking and provides a wonderful visual introduction to what keeps us all upright. Thoughtful back matter probes deeper into bone-related science concepts. Grades 2-5. --Ian Chipman
A Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2010
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
2011 SB&F Prize Finalists Children's Science Picture Book
2010 Cybils Nonfiction Picture Book Finalists
ALA Notable Books for Children 2011
From School Library Journal. Starred Review. Grade 3-6 From the life-sized human skull grinning out from the brick-red cover to a complete skeleton waving goodbye from a gatefold late in the book, bones are given an entertaining and fresh treatment. Beginning with the opening spread of life-sized animal bones, human bones are quantified and qualified. Hands, feet, femurs, ribs, spine, and skull are shown and compared to other species. Symmetry and joints as well as adaptations for survival are introduced. Humor abounds in the illustrations as well as in subheadings such as, That's a Handful, Big Foot, and Head Case. Readers will be lured in by interactive touches like What bone is this? and the Some Assembly Required spread with all 206 adult human bones unlabeled and grouped by body area. Displayed against a navy-blue background, the spread opens to the burnt sienna gatefold mentioned above. Two additional gatefolds include a small python (200 ribs) and a collection of skulls. Jenkins's characteristic cut-paper collages in mottled creams and grays are perfectly suited to the topic and contrasted against solid jewel-tone, full-bleed backgrounds. The precise and scaled representations (many life size) are clearly labeled. Text, other than an opening page, is limited and supports the highly visual and sophisticated treatment. A More About Bones spread completes the book with a hodgepodge of fascinating facts. With applications that range from anatomy to evolution and mathematics, this book will find a place in every collection. Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist. One of the foremost illuminators of the animal kingdom here takes a peek beneath the skin. He begins with a single human finger bone, then shows where it fits in the hand, then attaches the arm bones and sets it aside the forelimbs of a mole, spider monkey, gray whale, turtle, and fruit bat to illustrate how they all share the same basic structure. Similar comparisons take a look at feet, legs, rib cages, necks, and heads, almost always using a consistent scale to display the relative size of elephant and stork legs or a giraffe and human neck. Jenkins provides concise chunks of text alongside his always impressive cut-paper collages, which are a little more understated than in some of his other dynamic books (the color scheme ranges from ashy white to dusty gray, with a few touches of calcified yellow). But the clean design of the intricate skeletons set against solid background colors is striking and provides a wonderful visual introduction to what keeps us all upright. Thoughtful back matter probes deeper into bone-related science concepts. Grades 2-5. --Ian Chipman
Promotion Idea
An appropriate time of year for this book study is Halloween. You can print off a human skeleton template (located below) for students to cut out and put together with brads to see how all our bones fit. Hang up the skeletons with your Halloween decorations are not only scary, they are scientific!
Another option: Before hanging the skeletons, have students label the bones, telling the characteristics and functions of each. Have students write how particular bones work to help the animal hunt, hide, and move in its everyday life. In addition, students could research measurements of common bones and compare bone sizes of animals to that of human bones. The human femur is _______ times as big (or inches longer than) the femur of the _________. Any kind of math could be practiced: ratios, length comparisons, fractions, etc.
Videos:
Them Not So Dry Bone (Skeleton & Cartilage) School House Rock - Click here.
National Geographic: Bare Bones - Click here.
Bill Nye the Science Guy on Bones - Click here.
An appropriate time of year for this book study is Halloween. You can print off a human skeleton template (located below) for students to cut out and put together with brads to see how all our bones fit. Hang up the skeletons with your Halloween decorations are not only scary, they are scientific!
Another option: Before hanging the skeletons, have students label the bones, telling the characteristics and functions of each. Have students write how particular bones work to help the animal hunt, hide, and move in its everyday life. In addition, students could research measurements of common bones and compare bone sizes of animals to that of human bones. The human femur is _______ times as big (or inches longer than) the femur of the _________. Any kind of math could be practiced: ratios, length comparisons, fractions, etc.
Videos:
Them Not So Dry Bone (Skeleton & Cartilage) School House Rock - Click here.
National Geographic: Bare Bones - Click here.
Bill Nye the Science Guy on Bones - Click here.
SKELETON TEMPLATES
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