"Some Like It Hot
You won't meet a marine scale worm
in your home or backyard. It lives deep in
the ocean, near jets of scalding hot water
that flow from volcanic vents on the sea
floor. This worm preys on other animals
that live near the vents."
I was prepared to shudder while reading this husband-and-wife team's newest book of nonfiction. I am not keen to know too much, and certainly have no abiding need to know what creatures live on me, or in me. Around, perhaps! Kids will definitely want to know about the many tiny monsters described and shown here. This team has mastered the art of in-depth research, and their artistic acumen is shown in every book they write and illustrate.
They offer a warning about what readers will learn in their amazing new book:
" ... after meeting some of these tiny monsters,
you may never look at your cereal, your pillow,
or your eyelashes in quite the same way."
In brilliant collage artwork, based on images captured by using an electron microscope, readers are introduced to the tiny creatures promised in the title. Alongside each expanded image, a quick note about said creature adds pertinent information. Perspective is an important part of many books from Steve Jenkins, and actual size is clearly shown on each spread. This allows access to new learning at every turn of the page.
Many of the creatures shown are almost too small to be seen. Some will be familiar: ticks, lice, fleas. Many others are not. The white backgrounds help to provide a unique and up-close look at each tiny monster. A 'note about color' in back matter explains that the images are based on black-and-white electron microscopic images; "the colors in the book were chosen to highlight the forms and details of the animals, and they aren't always realistic." Also included there are thumbnail sketches of each creature in order of presentation, and further information about them.
Impressive, as always! They are all here on Earth with us; we might as well learn what we can about them.
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