"Almost Gone" by Steve Jenkins

Citation:
Jenkins, Steve.  Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals.  New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2006.
ISBN: 9780060535988

Summary:
Steve Jenkins takes the reader across the globe and features 28 different animals that are either "almost gone", "gone forever", or "coming back".  Each animal description features an illustration of the animal, where it is found, and how many are left (estimated).  The animal descriptions not only feature the animals specifications but also how or why the animal is endangered.

Critical Analysis:
The set up of this book is great for a young reader.  The blurbs about the animals are easily digested.  The descriptions of the animals help the reader to understand the look of the animal and it's characteristics.  Most importantly, the descriptions of the animals explain why the animals are on the verge of extinction.  While it is interesting to have an idea of how many of the animal are left-- it's impossible to truly know.  Some of the estimates are bold, such as the Giant Stick Insect which is listed as having "fewer than 10 left".  Jenkins makes a disclaimer at the opening of the book that "the numbers given for each animal in this book are best guesses of the scientists who study them".  Unfortunately, there are no citations for these estimates.

Review Excerpts:
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. Each endangered animal is introduced in a single paragraph that typically contains a fact or two about its range, behavior, diet, and those conditions that threaten its welfare."
BookList: "As usual, Jenkins' artwork is fascinating. His papers, apparently handpainted, are carefully matched to catch subtle variations of an animal's skin or a sense of the shagginess of its coat. The last spreads consider four extinct animals and three species brought back from the brink by breeding or protection programs."

Connections:
*Other titles about extinction:
V is for Vanishing by Patricia Mullins
ISBN: 9780064434713
Will We Miss Them? by Alexandra Wright
ISBN: 9780881064889