ALMOST GONE: THE WORLD'S RAREST ANIMALS by Steve Jenkins

Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 2006. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060535988.

Plot Summary

Ever seen a Bactrian camel? What about Abington Island tortoise? A coelacanth? These are but a few of the rarest yet surviving animals you’ll find in Almost Gone.In this visually appealing nonfiction picture book, profiles of 28 different endangered animal species from around the world, drawn from almost every type of habitat, including mammals, insects, reptiles, birds and amphibians, are described and grouped in categories. Each animal entry is a paragraph long, giving basic facts and background on the animal, how human activity has contributed to their numbers, how many remain, and ways in which conservationists attempt to protect them.
A world map at the back of the book identifies the geographical locations where each animal was found and provides additional facts about them.


Critical Analysis

Almost Gone is part of the popular Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. These books are hard to miss, and for good reason. They are widely regarded as excellent choices for curious readers seeking information about science. An important note in the beginning of the book states that the text and illustrations are checked for accuracy by an expert in the relevant field. Almost Gone features an excellent introduction that clearly explains what effect the loss of even one small creature can have on the Earth’s ecosystem.

The book is cleverly organized and simplified into three categories: "almost gone," "gone forever," and "coming back." Starting with the Amur Leopard from the book cover, the informative text and corresponding illustrations take us through observing diverse array of declining and threatened animals. Although some of the species in this book are unheard of by most children, Jenkins keeps the reader interested with his simple, yet detailed descriptions. This book looks at the many animals that have become endangered through hunting, poaching, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change and provokes poignant thoughts about our environmental responsibilities. However, the author chooses to finish the book with positive examples, listing three animals whose numbers are stepping back from the brink of extinction.

Jenkins designs the book with his intended audience in mind. The brief text is attractive and invites the reader to turn the pages, but it’s the illustrations that are truly impressing. True to his own style, he uses colorful and various textured handmade papers to create each animal. The cut-paper artwork on completely white background makes each rare animal stand out majestic and beautiful. All collage images are scrupulously detailed. The papers’ color and optical appearance as well as the physical texture are carefully selected to create almost realistic look.

Almost Gone is an engaging choice that will provide readers with a thoughtful overview to the subject of endangered species. Using his signature approach, Jenkins presents another esthetic and stylish informational book for children.


Review Excerpts

Booklist:“Caldecott Honor Book illustrator Jenkins applies his considerable talents to the cause of conservation in this book in the long-running Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Using his signature cut-and torn-paper collages, he shows 21 endangered species, accompanying each image with a few sentences about the animal's habitat, a particular characteristic, and, sometimes, the reason for its endangered status.”
School Library Journal:“This engaging title is informative as well as visually stunning. Jenkins captures the essence of his subjects with appropriately colored, cut-paper collage illustrations on stark white backgrounds.”
Horn Book:“Jenkins first discusses the interdependence of living things, then portrays twenty-eight endangered and extinct animals. Each profile includes a striking cut-paper rendering of an animal along with a paragraph about the animal's habits and habitat and why its population has dwindled.”



Connections

-Present other nonfiction books about endangered animals such as:
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans. ISBN 9780802795632.
Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species by Alexandra Wright. ISBN 9780881064889.
Endangered Animals by Rhonda Lucas Donald. ISBN 9780516259994.


-Offer other books by Steve Jenkins such as:
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Illustrated by Robin Page. ISBN 9780618256280.
Actual Size. ISBN 9780618375943.
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. ISBN 9780395861363.