Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

Have you ever wondered how big the eye of a giant squid is or what the length is of a great white shark's teeth are? Both these questions and more are answered in the non-fiction picture book, "Actual Size," written by Steve Jenkins.

The goal of this book is to sate a child's curiosity (or an adult) in the realm of things that are not normally accessible.

This book can be used in grades as low as 1st and all the way up through 5th.

For mathematics in 1st grade, you can use this book to teach comparitive subtraction. For instance the giant squid's eye is 1ft long and a bear is 13 ft tall...what is the difference between these two lengths?

For the sciences in 5th grade, you could have students do a research project on one of the animals from the book and then present it to the class using a technological format.

To incorporate language arts, the students could measure different objects around the room and compile them into their own story.

I would also just use this story to introduce a science lesson to my students.