LSSL 5360 Module 4, Book Review #4 EYE TO EYE: HOW ANIMALS SEE THE WORLD by Steve Jenkins

Module 4- Non fiction- Book Review #4 EYE TO EYE: HOW ANIMALS SEE THE WORLD by Steve Jenkins

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, S. (2014). Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Eye to Eye is an informative text about different animals and their eyesight. Jenkins takes us through pages and pages of animals, with more than 100 eye balls total, of all shapes and sizes, some that can look in different directions, some that can only detect light, and many more.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In EYE TO EYE, Jenkins allows his readers to literally peer into the world of animal eyes and link us to their domain, showing us how they “communicate, find food avoid predators, or locate a mate” using their eyesight. Another non-fiction, educational read by Jenkins, it’s similar to Creature Features, with similar illustrations- big, bold, up close, and brings the eyes of each animal to the forefront of focus. He shows his readers how different capabilities make each animal unique in their own way.

I think you could incorporate this book best in a middle school classroom, perhaps for a research project or nonfiction unit where you can further explore these animals in depth. For me personally, the book left too much to be desired: I was left with interesting tidbits about each species, sure, but truly wanting more information and more detail at the end of the book.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“It’s difficult not to be drawn to this wonderful piece of informative text because the cover is covered in colorful eyes and it’s hard to resist wanting to know more.” –starred Goodreads review

*Caldecott Honor Winner
*Nerdy finalist for Non Fiction Picture Books (2014)

5. CONNECTIONS

This is a great book to teach with a  cross-curricular agenda. English and science elementary teachers would do great to team up and teach corresponding units centered around books like this one.

Readers may also enjoy Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey by Loree Griffin Burns, and Creature Features, also written by Jenkins.