Animals by the Numbers: a book of infographics
Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Publisher’s Summary:
An amazing look at numbers, facts, infographics, and the animals that inhabit them from the Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins.

Primary Source Pairing:
Creator Steve Jenkins brings us a multi-modal visual literacy masterpiece in Animals by the Numbers: a book of infographics. There are so many details to see and absorb in this book. Each page contains fascinating facts, intriguing numbers, and a graph to put it all into context. Use this book in collaboration with a math lesson for a cross-curricular experience. The book itself can be a visual literacy learning experience and serve as the primary source. Each page can be studied and analyzed for full comprehension of the information presented. As an additional primary source tool, show a video posted by Steve Jenkins about his creation process as he makes paper collages for the illustrations in his books. The crocodile in the video will look familiar to students who have read this book. As the learning environment allows, use a document camera or display the ebook for maximum viewing and analyzing for readers.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see.
• What do you notice first?
• What type of graph is used to present the information?
• Study the graph and what information is included.
• Analyze the differences between the information – biggest, smallest; fastest, slowest; most numerous, least numerous.
• Are any graphs hard for you to understand or read? Why?
• What is your favorite graph or information presented in the book? Why?
• Study the paper collage animals included in the illustrations of this book. What do you notice about the detail, color, and texture?
• What questions do you still have about what you read in this book?
• Where you do you think you can find answers to your questions? 

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
Steve Jenkins creation process video: http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/making_books_video.html