Biggest, Strongest, Fastest

Jenkins, Steve. 1995. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395697018

*Summary

In his beautiful picture book, Steve Jenkins highlights fourteen animals that hold records in the animal kingdom, ranging from the ant (the strongest for its size) to the anaconda (the biggest snake). Each animal’s feature includes a color collage illustration and a caption providing further information regarding the animal’s record. This book works not only to inform but also to inspire curiosity in readers.

*Critical Analysis

Jenkins’s BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST does what non-fiction books set out to do, inform and entertain simultaneously. Readers learn interesting facts about animals which have been well-referenced in a bibliography at the beginning of the book. The bibliography includes five books; a great addition to this bibliography might be a list of appropriate websites as additional resources for further research about featured animals or to add more animals to the list of “record holders.” The entertainment value of the book banks on the subject matter being of interest to children and these amazing animals are truly exciting.

Each animal is the focus of a one to three page spread depending on the size and record held by the animal. Because this is varied, Jenkins emphasizes the attributes of chosen animals. For example, the illustration of the sun jellyfish, which is the world’s longest animal, begins on the second page in a two page spread and goes on to take up the next two pages. Because readers must turn the page to see the rest of the animal, a sense of anticipation is created. The book is quite short and straightforward. Perhaps for this reason, no table of contents or index is included. However, readers can easily read the book in one sitting or browse to look for a particular animal. Another helpful and informative feature is the chart at the end of the book, which lists each animal and provides information, some which is included previously and some in addition to the information on the pages.

Jenkins’s design surely adds to the overall appeal of BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. The colorful, collage illustrations set on various color paper backgrounds are eye catching and create interest in the animals. Additionally, the smaller, simple illustrations that accompany the captions make the book even more effective. Jenkins’s use of compelling details in these captions helps children understand more abstract concepts. “Even the biggest dinosaur was smaller than the blue whale” is an example of a comparison that creates understanding of just how large this animal is. Likewise, Jenkins explains that if a woman could jump as well as a flea, “the world’s best jumper,” she could “leap to the top of a 65-story building.” Comparisons such as these challenge readers to think and provide the means for them to do so.

Another key aspect of the design is the large, simple font used for naming the animal and its record along with the small, bold font used to give extra information in the captions. To add to the explanation, a small black illustration accompanies each caption. This is another important component of the book which helps readers gain a more complete understanding. For example, an ant is shown holding five ants, and a man is shown holding one man. This helps readers see the difference between the strength of a man and that of an ant. These captions and additional illustrations in no way compete with the large color illustrations. Finally, Jenkins’s style of writing consists of great comparisons and a clear voice. He presents the subject matter in an interesting manner which is thought-provoking and encourages questioning. Using simple statements in large print combined with more information in the captions is effective in informing readers as well as inspiring a great deal of enthusiasm about the animal kingdom.

*Personal/Student Response

Although I am not usually drawn to nonfiction or books about animals, this is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The first thing I love about the book is the incredible pictures. The collage is well-done and adds to the appeal of the book. Next, I was amazed by the information conveyed in the text. The facts shared in this book are the kinds that make me want to share what I’ve learned with someone else. After reading BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST, I am quickly becoming a Steve Jenkins fan.

The children were equally enthusiastic about the book. In fact, after sharing with the first class of second graders in the library, I had to warn the others to “remain calm” while I read and promise them an opportunity to share after I finished. The captions were so helpful in explaining the magnitude of some of the records these animals hold. In the library, I read this book to first, second, and fourth graders and was met with enthusiasm from all age groups.

*Review Excerpts

“The facts are amazing. Their juxtaposition makes you gasp, not just about size and speed but about comparative wonder.”
BookList

“An all-around superlative effort.”
School Library Journal

“Jenkins makes a graphic comparison that children can understand and includes a smaller illustration that helps make abstract concepts concrete.”
Horn Book *Starred Review*

*Connections

-Read more Steve Jenkins books and do an author study.
-Choose one of the animals featured as the subject for further research.
-Use the book as a starting point for creative writing. (For example, write a story from the animal’s point of view.)
-Use the structure of the book to inspire other comparisons of size (buildings, cars, other objects).