From School Library Journal
StarredReview. Grade 1–4—A visually stunning book illustrated with cutpaper and torn collages. Jenkins's introductory warnings are gentlyalliterative: "NEVER pet a platypus"; "NEVER touch a tang." Thegentleness stops there, however. "NEVER jostle a jellyfish. A boxjellyfish, that is. Most jellyfish can sting people, but….If youare unlucky enough to become really entangled with a box jellyfish,you can die very quickly." Readers may enjoy staring deadly dangerin the face, knowing that it is distant and rare. They'll also betreated to fascinating facts about creatures like the cassowary,electric caterpillar, cane toad, and puffer fish. Further readingis provided in the back matter, including an explanation ofanimals' need for powerful protection from their predators in thewild. This exceptionally well-written portion of the book isgenerously illustrated. The most eloquent of these cut paper andtorn collages are on the front and back covers, which feature arhesus monkey looking solemnly out, and then opening its largemouth filled with scarily sharp teeth. This superlative illustratorhas given children yet another work that educates andamazes.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten SchoolDistrict, Spencer, NY END
Steve Jenkins is the acclaimed author and illustrator ofnumerous nonfiction books for young readers including The Top ofthe World: Climbing Mount Everest, winner of the 1999 BostonGlobe - Horn Book Award for nonfiction. He lives in Boulder,Colorado, with his wife and frequent collaborator, Robin Page, andtheir three children. To learn more about Steve and his books,visit www.stevejenkinsbooks.com.^Steve Jenkins has written andillustrated nearly twenty picture books for young readers,including the Caldecott Honor-winning What Do You Do with a TailLike This? His books have been called stunning, eyepopping,inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful,irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, andinformative. He lives in Colorado with his wife and frequentcollaborator, Robin Page, and their children. To learn more aboutSteve and his books, visit www.stevejenkinsbooks.com.
