Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics

by Steve Jenkins, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)

Overview

How many species are there across the globe?  
How much do all of the insects in the world collectively weigh? 
How far can animals travel? 
 
     Steve Jenkins answers these questions and many more with numbers, images, innovation, and authoritative science in his latest work of illustrated nonfiction. Jenkins layers his signature cut-paper illustrations alongside computer graphics and a text that is teeming with fresh, unexpected, and accurate zoological information ready for readers to easily devour. The level of scientific research paired with Jenkins’ creativity and accessible infographics is unmatched and sure to wow fans old and new.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544630925
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	11.20(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	940L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Steve Jenkins wrote and illustrated many nonfiction picture books for young readers, including the Caldecott Honor Book What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? His books have been called stunning, eye-popping, inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful, irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, and informative.

Steve Jenkins wrote and illustrated many nonfiction picture books for young readers, including the Caldecott Honor Book What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? His books have been called stunning, eye-popping, inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful, irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, and informative.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon Best Children’s Books of the Year: NonFiction Book Links’ Lasting Connections 2016 Bulletin Blue Ribbon 2016 Raleigh News & Observer * "...An eminently browsable overview with all the clickbait appeal of websites and paperbacks with redeployed content but with some thoughtful implications about animals... Animal-loving kids, sensationalism-loving kids, and facts-loving kids will be surprised to find common ground here." —Bulletin * "Compelling visual presentation makes the information accessible and exciting. Highly recommended for all science collections." —School Library Journal, STARRED review * "The intriguing and engaging format of this title is stimulating on a variety of levels, and the approach should appeal to a wide range of students, especially visual learners, something for which educators will be grateful. A brilliantly executed take on a perennially high-interest topic." —Booklist, STARRED review * "A special treat for all who love animal statistics." —Kirkus, STARRED review "Steve Jenkins’s work... is characterized by exquisite cut- and torn-paper collages, a particular affinity for zoology, a plethora of pithy facts and trivia, and an elegant design aesthetic that allows readers to navigate information-heavy pages without becoming confused or disoriented." —Horn Book —

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2016
Gr 2–6—Jenkins combines cut-and-torn-paper illustrations with infographics to present highly engaging visual comparisons from the animal kingdom. Ranging from one to four pages in length, the graphic sections feature careful layouts that convey well-chosen and fascinating data. Clean lines and abundant white space lead readers to absorb the information without strain or confusion. In one example, a horizontal bar graph examines the speeds of 15 animals, each identified by name and a silhouette figure. In addition, illustrations highlight two particular examples with captions. Varied graph formats demonstrate each topic to maximum effect. Concentric circles show the surprising differences between wing speeds of hummingbirds and gnats. Cut-paper horns are neatly placed within a bar graph of horn lengths. There's even a logic tree outlining the decision-making process of an armadillo. Scales are clearly noted, even when they shift on the following page, as in the impressive four-page look at the deadliest animals that reveals the mosquito's clear dominance. Estimated data is always identified, such as numbers representing the combined biomass of species. In some cases, two graphs are used to offer different perspectives on the topic: a horizontal bar graph details tongue lengths, for example, while on the facing page a vertical depiction compares those lengths to the size of each animal (and the bars are cleverly rounded to resemble tongues). VERDICT Compelling visual presentation makes the information accessible and exciting. Highly recommended for all science collections.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

★ 2016-08-02
A visual compendium of facts and figures about the animal world.The prolific Jenkins knows how to present information in ways that resonate with his child readers. He presents aspects of animal physiology that have particular appeal for their ease of understanding (size, heart rate, life span) and for their eww! factor (venom, poison, human deaths). His examples range widely, and his information reflects what young readers want to know. How many different kinds are there? Which is fastest? Who travels furthest? He even touches on endangered species and mass extinctions. This engaging title will also delight educators, who will find it a splendid source for graph- and chart-reading practice. There are pie graphs and bar charts in varying designs, histograms, proportionally scaled graphics, clusters, a timeline, and even a flow chart. There are numerous symbols and keys. The clean design places both the animal images and the connected infographics on generous white space with clear labels. Aspects such as size and biomass are presented to scale, and these comparisons always include humans. The graphical combination of cut-and-torn–paper collage, words, and numbers begins with the table of contents. In an afterword, Jenkins explains where he got his numbers and how he dealt with conflicting statistics. A special treat for all who love animal statistics. (bibliography, websites) (Informational picture book. 6-12)

Kirkus Review