Cozy Storytime: Actual Size Written & Illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Today’s cozy read‑aloud is Actual Size — a bold, fascinating nonfiction picture book that shows animals (and their most surprising features) at their true scale. Steve Jenkins’ cut‑paper collage illustrations are striking and deeply engaging. Children love comparing their own hands, feet, and faces to the animals on the page, and the book naturally invites questions, conversation, and curiosity. As always, I began with a small index‑card art project inspired by the book’s collage style. This simple ritual helps me slow down, notice textures and shapes, and connect with the story before reading it aloud. This book is wonderful for: • Animal science — size, adaptation, comparison • STEM learning — measurement, scale, observation • Visual literacy — collage, nonfiction illustration • Inquiry‑based learning — asking questions, noticing details • Classroom and library read‑alouds — especially for science units 🎥 Watch the full cozy read‑aloud and explore with me today.
