Book Description
for Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
The signature style of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page shines in this well-designed book of animal and insect facts disguised as a counting book. Realistic collage illustrations pop against white pages, while clear facts in crisp font accentuate numerical creature features. For example, for the first collection, “Spine, barb, sac, casque, and ear,” an anglerfish, cone snail, hooded seal, cassowary, and praying mantis exemplify the number one with a singular, unique body part. “The praying mantis has only one ear. Located in the middle of its body, the ear detects sounds of approaching bats, giving it an early warning of danger.” Following numbers one through ten, two additional page turns highlight bigger numbers, like the nautilus’ ninety retractable tentacles. A visual index at the conclusion of this numerical beast feast offers additional information about size, geographic range, and diet for each subject.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.

