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Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

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Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

By Heather Sanders.

Back in October, I wrote about how Emelie and Kenny decided to line draw and watercolor human organs. Reading through the comments on that particular post, I ended up clicking through to a blog named waddlee-ah-chaa to check out a book recommendation by Jeannine. Though I missed her giveaway opportunity by a week, I ended up purchasing Bones: Skeletons and How They Work by Steve Jenkins anyway. And oh how glad I am that I did.

Also? How cool is it to surf all the creative homeschool blogs represented by the readers here at Pioneer Woman? I need to write a post with the single purpose of collecting and compiling an amazing list of homeschool blogs to add to my Google Reader; you guys are a constant inspiration.

BONES Title Page

Back to the book.

Caldecot Honor Winner, Steve Jenkins has written and illustrated thirty children’s picture books. Jenkins’ collage art in “Bones” is both engaging and playful. From start to finish, not a page is left untouched in this book.

Bones, Bones, Bones

Though not all book illustrators also consider themselves writers, Jenkins does.

In an interview with ChildrensLit.com, he stated, “I prefer doing both the writing and the illustrating…it’s more satisfying to have control over what the book says as well as the way it looks. It’s something I’m particularly interested in or I wouldn’t be doing the books.”

Where do you think this bone belongs?

In “Bones”, Jenkins kicks off with the question, “Where do you think this bone belongs?”

Bones Shown Actual Size

Below the question, in significantly smaller print, it says “(BONE SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE)”, which of course begs the question even more.

That

The next page spread mentions that the bone is actually “one of the bones inside a human finger.” It continues, “There are a total of 27 bones in a human hand.”

Bones Shown Actual Size, 2

My favorite part of his book is checking the bottom of each page to discover the bone scale. For instance, it is almost impossible NOT to place my hand over Jenkins’ cut-paper illustration of the bone structure of the human hand.

Why?

Because at the bottom of the page it says “BONES SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE”, that’s why.

Just try to read this book and not lay your hand on this page.

Femur

Human and animal bones of all kinds are compared and contrasted by size, appearance, weight and purpose.

Shown One-Fourth Actual Size

In case you were curious.

Animal Femur Comparisons

Jenkins’ bone-colored, cut-paper illustrations stand out boldly against his choice of simple, solid-colored pages.

Position of an Elephant

His approach is inventive, but concise, with fact-filled, clearly labeled pages of skeleton after skeleton.

The Centerfold Rocks

The centerfold expands to reveal a vibrant display of a small python skeleton.

Skulls

Two other gatefolds are included in the book. This one shows the skulls of a variety of animals including a human, armadillo, baboon and a babirusa (wild pig).

Head Case

With the page folded back, the actual size of the Mouse Lemur’s skull is so tiny juxtaposed with the human skull.

Some Assembly Required

A great book to introduce the human skeleton, the page “Some Assembly Required” has each of the 206 bones of an adult human’s body laid-out neatly for viewing.

More About Bones

But wait, there’s more! “More About Bones”, to be exact. Here, readers learn what bones are made of, broken bones, bones in comparison to architecture, bone trivia, etc…

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work is extraordinary. Finding a science book that can capture the attention of Toddlers to Adults is a feat, but Jenkins’ book masters this completely.

The designated grade level is 3-6 (age level 7+), but anyone who opens this book will find themselves flipping page after page, enjoying the illustrations and reading each and every corresponding description.

For Your Information

» For more information about Steve Jenkins, check out stevejenkinsbooks.com.

» This book is available anywhere. I purchased mine at Amazon.

» View a complete list of the books Steve Jenkins has published with Houghton Mifflin.

——————-

I am not in any way related to or affiliated with Steve Jenkins or Houghton Mifflin. Like many of you, I seek out good books (especially Children’s books) and truly enjoy sharing them with you.

 

OMSH/Heather L. Sanders is “Momma” to three kids, Emelie, Meredith and Kenny. When not homeschooling, or writing about homeschooling, Heather is busy designing websites or going on dates with her husband Jeff, the love of her life.

Thinking of Home Schooling? Read mine and 24 other homeschooling families’ stories shared in the new book, You Can Do It Too!


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