Biggest, Strongest, Fastest

1. Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve. 1995. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. New York: Tickor & Fields Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0395697018


2. Plot Summary

This book describes different animals and their most distinguishing characteristics and compares it to everyday things. It even includes a chart that tells the animals record, size, diet, and range.

3. Critical Analysis

This book contains accurate record facts about animals. Jenkins includes a bibliography at the front of the book to show where he found his information.

As for the organization of the book, the information goes from general, “The Galapagos tortoise lives longer that any other animal, “which is in larger print, to more detailed, “ Galapagos tortoises can live to be over 150 years old- about twice as long as the average person can expect to live”, in smaller print. The book ends with a chart that recaps all the animals, their record, and size, and includes other information such as their diet and range.

The book design is inviting due to the large, yet simple illustrations and simple comparisons.
The illustrations of the animals are large with little or no background that helps them to stand out. There is a small shadow of the animal and a shadow of an object being compared to it, to help support the text and help the reader visualize the information.

The style of the book is interesting because of the vivid comparisons. These comparisons make the abstract more concrete. The vocabulary is appropriate for this book, and does not “talk-down” to the reader. This book generates curiosity about the records animal hold.

4. Review Excerpts (s)

Children's Literature

For kids who ask those impossible questions- what animal is the biggest, or smallest, longest or shortest, and so on-Jenkins has created a delightful series of answers using full color cut paper collage illustrations. From the streaking cheetah on the cover to the tiny Etruscan shrew sitting on a teaspoon, readers see the animal and learn salient facts plus a few more delicious tidbits. Cleverly done and sure to appeal to both the littlest and biggest of readers.

5. Connections

* Students could use measuring and actually draw the real size of the animals.
* The teacher could model using a chart at the back of the book, and then have students create their own chart.
*Encourage students to research other animals and their most unique characteristic.