Bones

Photo from Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7552387-bones

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2010. Bones. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545046510 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Steve Jenkins explores what is holding us all up on the inside. Starting from a small bone in a human hand he adds bones until there is an arm. He then compares the structure of a human arm to various other species. Then he continues with feet, legs, and the support groups of hips, ribs and spine, until he has covered the entire skeletal system. He introduces comparative vertebrate biology to young curious minds in an accessible and fun way.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Acclaimed children’s science author Steve Jenkins has once again used his cut paper collage to produce a book that is informative and entertaining. It is simple, clean, and straightforward in its presentation, with bones in a cream color against a dark background. He accurately portrays the skeletal systems of various vertebrates, many shown at full size. Readers can trace the location of each bone type and compare the relative sizes between different types of animals, thirty-six in all. Fold out pages add to the excitement. His writing is concise and easy to understand, explaining how these living structures help us to move and stand up. He uses the scientific names for the different bones such as humerus, pelvis, and femur, as he explains the function of each set of bones and how they all go together. He presents the concepts of symmetry, adaptation, and protection.  Humor is evident and compelling, such as when the rhinoceros is chasing the human and in the use of subtitles, such as “Head Case”, making this book a delightful read. Although geared for readers 8 to 12, children from ages 3 and up will be fascinated with this look at bones, making them think about what is holding them up inside. There are four pages in the back dedicated to trivia and more scientific facts about bones. Jenkins credits the Collection Manager of the American Museum of Natural History for consulting on the book.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Fall 2010 Junior Library Guild Selection 

Starred review from School Library Journal: “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…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… 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…With applications that range from anatomy to evolution and mathematics, this book will find a place in every collection.” 

Review 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…Jenkins provides concise chunks of text alongside his always impressive cut-paper collages…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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Bring a skeleton into the class to allow children to see up close what bones look like. Or use a full size floor puzzle to demonstrate how the body is supported.

*Have children cut out and put together a skeleton with the printable craft from the Enchanted Learning website: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/halloween/bones/  

*Other bone books:

Ballard, Carol. Bones. ISBN 1432934295

Balestrino, Philip. The Skeleton Inside You. ISBN 0064450872

Llewellyn,Claire. The Big Book of Bones. ISBN 0872265463

Macnair, Patricia Ann. Movers & Shapers.  ISBN 0753457911

Parker, Steve. DK Eyewitness Bones. ISBN 0756607272

Simon, Seymour. Bones. ISBN 0688177212

Stewart, Melissa. Moving and Grooving: The Secrets of Muscle and Bones. ISBN 0761441662