Title: Bones: Skeletons and
How They Work
Author: Steve Jenkins
Publisher: New York: Scholastic Reference, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-04652-7
Summary: A pictorial guide to bones—human and
animal—their scale, and how they work together.
Critical Analysis: In this survey of bones, preeminent
artist and science enthusiast Steve Jenkins uses his signature cut paper
collage to illustrate bone size and function. Organized by position in the body
beginning with the hands and feet, we are shown the similarities and
differences between us and animals from the shrew to the T-Rex. One page shows
cat, human, and elephant femurs on a quarter scale.
Bones is a visually driven informational book. The paper chosen
for the bones and skeletons is white with mottling of tan and grey, mimicking the
appearance of real-life bones. These are set against dark solid colors,
allowing the eye to examine the detailed illustrations. Skeletons are posed to
reflect movement, and the poses combined with the size scales in the corners of
the pages make the book intriguing enough for all ages to peruse repeatedly.
Consisting of a
few simple sentences here and there, it is not Jenkins best text. Aiming for
the third grade reading level, he succeeds in making the tone conversational,
but the mix between advanced vocabulary and easy-read words is uneven, making
the text feel awkward. However, the information is good and appropriate to the illustration. The section “More About Bones” on the last few pages of
the book contains boxes of illustrated facts, stories, history, and science
that will appeal to older readers. The text in this section doesn’t try so hard to be
simple and therefore feels more natural.
Because the
book is made for browsing by young children, there are no reference aids—not even page
numbers. Dependent only upon the good reputation of Steve Jenkins, Bones could use more source information.
The only nod to research is a tiny note of thanks to a consultant from the Department
of Mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History. Without more
authentication, Bones feels, excuse
the pun, like the “bare bones” of a book.
Awards:
Caldecott
Honor Winning Artist
ALA
Notable Children’s Book 2011
Reviews:
School Library
Journal: “…bones are given an entertaining and
fresh treatment.”
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books: “The text, a brief paragraph or so on every spread, is compact yet
illuminating, but it's really all about the visuals here… Jenkins cleverly
"poses" his subjects for maximum amusement (in one spread, a skeletal
rhino chases a fleeing set of human bones) and information (the lineup of arms
drives home the similarity of structure); each spread helpfully notes the scale
of its images.”
Kirkus Book Reviews: “Jenkins’s signature
collages are ideal for illustrating this introduction to the way bones work in
humans and other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and most fish.”
More by
Steve Jenkins:
Actual
Size. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2004. ISBN 978-0618375943
What Do You
Do With a Tail Like This? Robin Page and Steve Jenkins. HMH Books for
Young Readers, 2003. ISBN 978-0439703840.
Big &
Little. HMH Books for Young Readers, 1996. ISBN 978-0395726648
In the
Author’s Words:
“It's critically
important, for all of us, that children grow up with an understanding of what
science is and how it works…They will be asked to make science-based decisions
about biotechnology, energy, artificial intelligence — along with things we
have not yet thought of — that will have life-changing consequences for the
entire world. The scientific process teaches us to not accept things at their
face value, to ask questions, and to demand evidence. An ability to think this
way will be invaluable as our children confront an increasingly complex world.”
Steve Jenkins’ website: http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/science.html
Websites:
An interactive scale (there may be an ad, but
you can skip it):
Created for Texas Woman’s University course LS
5603.21
