Book Review on What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? by Steve Jenkins

Please note that this blog has been created as an assignment for a TWU course.

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2001.  WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU? Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 0618152431

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, Steve Jenkins writes about how different animals defend themselves from predators.  A wide variety of animals and their defense qualities are discussed in an interesting and easy to follow way.  This book inspires the reader to engage in critical thinking because as the sequence of events continues, it leads up to the last scenario, “What would YOU do if something wanted to eat YOU?”  The reader can then reflect on her/his defense qualities and compose a plan on how to defend themselves in different situations.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book consists of 14 situations in which it is explained how different animals protect themselves from predators.  Each situation is discussed on two pages.  The first page introduces the animal and the predatory scenario: “When an octopus is threatened…” The scenario is beautifully illustrated and shows a predator coming toward the octopus.  The second page explains how the animal defends itself: “…it squirts a thick cloud of black ink into the water, confusing its attacker.”  The illustrations show the octopus squirting the black ink at its attacker.  The last page of the book asks, “What would YOU do if something wanted to eat YOU?”  In addition to learning about the unique defense mechanisms of many different animals, this sets the stage for thoughtful and meaningful discussion regarding ideas on how humans can protect themselves from predators.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

HORN BOOK review: “Jenkins has produced another marvel…. Young children will delight in first guessing, then seeing, how each of fourteen unusual animals avoids becoming someone else’s dinner.”

BOOKLIST review: “Thrilling, beautiful…dramatic.”

THE BULLETING review: “The youngest animal enthusiasts will find this an intriguing introduction to adaptation.”

A NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children

Booklist Editors’ Choice

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Lead a class discussion about other unique animals and their defense mechanism against predators.  Relate those findings to how humans defend themselves from predators.

*Have students research an animal of their choice to find out how it defends itself from predators.  In addition to writing a brief paragraph about their findings, encourage students to illustrate the scenario.  Have students share their work with their peers.  Then, display their work in the hallway for everyone to see.

*Other related books:

Jenkins, Steve. 2011. ACTUAL SIZE. ISBN 0547512910

Jenkins, Steve. 1997. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. ISBN 0395861465

Jenkins, Steve. 2004. HOTTEST, COLDEST, HIGHEST, DEEPEST. ISBN 061849488X

Jenkins, Steve. 2003. LOOKING DOWN. ISBN 0618310983

Jenkins, Steve. 2005. PREHISTORIC SIZE. ISBN 0618535780