Hottest Coldest Highest Deepest by Steve Jenkins

A. Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve. Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1998. ISBN # 0-395-89999-0.

B. Plot Summary

Explores the world's hottest, coldest, highest, and deepest wonders on planet Earth.

C. Critical Analysis

The accuracy of this book is remarkable. Jenkins sites from credible sources at the beginning of the book. However, Kirkus reviews 1998 states that there is some contestable information such as, "Jenkins cites a spot on Mount Washington, in New Hampshire, as the windiest place, with winds of 231 mph, while the Guam typhoon of 1997 had winds of 236 mph." This could make for some good research for students to question and challenge the author and teach critical reading skills.

I really liked the organization of this book. The information is laid out in a logical format and easy to read for even a young reader. Jenkins includes on each page a world map and regional map indicating the location of the natural feature. Additionally, he includes some visual measures to compare the size of the feature to things such as man or the Empire State Building so the reader can comprehend the uniqueness.

Jenkins does an awesome job with the illustrations using colorful paper collage. This technique adds texture and depth to each natural wonder. The illustrations add a hint of each habitat and fun element to each feature or fact that are represented by each map and scale graphic.

The style of the book could be considered somewhat dry since it does state a lot of simple facts. However, they are very interesting facts that could create curiosity in students. This is enhanced with the pictures of scale, maps, and background illustrations. Jenkins is able to communicate with any age of reader with his writing style in this book. I found myself saying, "WOW" several times throughout the book as I was reading because of the interesting facts and how they are presented to the reader.

This book would be great for any age. I highly recommend for teachers when they are teaching science or world geography. This is a great supplement for any curriculum.

D. Awards/Review Excerpt

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 1999. Honor book

Children's Literature Choice List 2000.

Kirkus (Kirkus Review 1998) "provides jaw-dropping facts and extremely elegant paper collages to illustrate the amazing natural world."

M. Henebry (Parent Council Vol. 7) "Children will find this interesting and thought provoking."

E. Connections

*other books by Steve Jenkins

Down, Down, Down: a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest

I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World

*Lesson Suggestion

Students could read both Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest and I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World and write 2 sentences about 8 to 10 places mentioned in Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. The first sentence would be about the habitat and the second sentence would give an example of an animal that lives there and why.