# 34- Bones: Skeletons and How They Work (2010)

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work (2010)

Steve Jenkins

The bone-colored, textured cutouts in this picturebook stand out among expository texts. I marveled at the diagrams on these glossy pages, which feature animal, dinosaur and human bones, along with an appendix of even more meticulously constructed cut and torn paper diagrams that are labeled. An example is a cross section of a bone. More detailed information is also available in this section.

What is most useful about this book in my opinion is how the author/ illustrator explains why each bone helps the animal survive. Jenkins asks the reader questions like “Where do you think this bone belongs” that get children thinking like scientists. It illustrates perfectly why a frog’s bones are shaped for jumping and other examples. The concept of symmetry is also explained within the context of skeletal structure.

There is a marvelous 4-page spread showing a snake’s skeleton, with all 400 pairs of ribs. Another foldout section features each of the 206 human bones on the outside with all of them put together when the reader opens up the pages. The pages with skulls feature the actual sizes.

This book is artfully written and illustrated to capitalize on childrens’ natural curiosity, creating an engaging scientific experience.