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What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You?
What would you do if something wanted to eat you? Walk on water? Stick out your tongue? Play dead? Animals in the wild use all kinds of methods to protect themselves from their enemies. Using dynamic and intricate cut-paper collages, Steve Jenkins explores the many fascinating and unique defense mechanisms creatures use to escape from danger.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
10 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Steve Jenkins
135 books238 followersSteve was born in 1952 in Hickory, North Carolina. His father, who would become a physics professor and astronomer (and recently his co-author on a book about the Solar System), was in the military and, later, working on science degrees at several different universities. We moved often. Steve lived in North Carolina, Panama, Virginia, Kansas, and Colorado. Wherever he lived, he kept a menagerie of lizards, turtles, spiders, and other animals, collected rocks and fossils, and blew things up in his small chemistry lab.
Because he moved often, Steve didn't have a large group of friends, and he spent a lot of time with books. His parents read to him until he could read himself, and he became an obsessive reader.
His interest in science led me to believe that I'd be a scientist himself. At the last minute, he chose instead to go to art school in North Carolina, where he studied graphic design. After graduation he moved to New York City, where he worked in advertising and design, first in large firms and then with his wife, Robin Page, in their own small graphic design firm. Robin, also an author and illustrator, is his frequent collaborator — they've made sixteen children's books together.
Their daughter Page was born in 1986 and our son, Alec, two years later. They began reading to them when they were just a few months old, and Steve became interested in making children's books himself. My wife and I read to our two older children almost every night until hisdaughter was 12 or 13, long after they were reading on their own. It was, in many ways, the best part of the day.
In 1994 they moved to from New York City to Boulder, Colorado, where they work in a studio attached to their house, which was built in the 1880s and often functions as if it were still the 19th century.
Their youngest son, Jamie, was born in 1998. The questions his children asked over the years have been the inspiration for many of their books.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
Because he moved often, Steve didn't have a large group of friends, and he spent a lot of time with books. His parents read to him until he could read himself, and he became an obsessive reader.
His interest in science led me to believe that I'd be a scientist himself. At the last minute, he chose instead to go to art school in North Carolina, where he studied graphic design. After graduation he moved to New York City, where he worked in advertising and design, first in large firms and then with his wife, Robin Page, in their own small graphic design firm. Robin, also an author and illustrator, is his frequent collaborator — they've made sixteen children's books together.
Their daughter Page was born in 1986 and our son, Alec, two years later. They began reading to them when they were just a few months old, and Steve became interested in making children's books himself. My wife and I read to our two older children almost every night until hisdaughter was 12 or 13, long after they were reading on their own. It was, in many ways, the best part of the day.
In 1994 they moved to from New York City to Boulder, Colorado, where they work in a studio attached to their house, which was built in the 1880s and often functions as if it were still the 19th century.
Their youngest son, Jamie, was born in 1998. The questions his children asked over the years have been the inspiration for many of their books.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 6, 2017
Steve Jenkins details the many interesting and unique defense mechanisms animals use to escape from danger in this nonfiction/informational picture book. The cut out paper collages as the illustrations are interesting and beautifully done. It was one of the first things that caught my eye about the book.
In having a literacy rich classroom it is important for children to see their own work so that they can see themselves as authors as well. In my second grade classroom after reading this book I would pose the question "What would YOU do if something tried to eat you?" Each student would then create a page detailing what they would do if something tried to eat them. We would take each written description through the writing process of revising and editing. Each student would illustrate their writing as well and would have the option to use the same technique used by Jenkins in the books. We would publish the finally copy and store it in our classroom library along with the other books on the shelf. I am hoping to create an environment that is encouraging and supportive of students as they begin to view themselves as readers and as writers.
In having a literacy rich classroom it is important for children to see their own work so that they can see themselves as authors as well. In my second grade classroom after reading this book I would pose the question "What would YOU do if something tried to eat you?" Each student would then create a page detailing what they would do if something tried to eat them. We would take each written description through the writing process of revising and editing. Each student would illustrate their writing as well and would have the option to use the same technique used by Jenkins in the books. We would publish the finally copy and store it in our classroom library along with the other books on the shelf. I am hoping to create an environment that is encouraging and supportive of students as they begin to view themselves as readers and as writers.
March 26, 2022
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2903
Steve Jenkins just has a way of making nonfiction more interesting than other authors, and this book is no different than his others. This book takes different animals and shows the different ways they protect themselves: from squirting ink to camouflage. The illustrations are done in Steve Jenkins’s paper-cut style and are done as well as his other books. The text, though simple, is full of information and definitely makes the reader want to learn more.
This book can definitely be used in reading and science class. It is a good introduction to animal defenses and animal adaptations. It can lead to inquiry and research of each of these animals. It would be a great first research project for students to choose one of the animals and learn more about them. It is also a good introduction to cause and effect. What causes _____ to need to defend themselves? What is the effect of ____ being attacked?
Steve Jenkins just has a way of making nonfiction more interesting than other authors, and this book is no different than his others. This book takes different animals and shows the different ways they protect themselves: from squirting ink to camouflage. The illustrations are done in Steve Jenkins’s paper-cut style and are done as well as his other books. The text, though simple, is full of information and definitely makes the reader want to learn more.
This book can definitely be used in reading and science class. It is a good introduction to animal defenses and animal adaptations. It can lead to inquiry and research of each of these animals. It would be a great first research project for students to choose one of the animals and learn more about them. It is also a good introduction to cause and effect. What causes _____ to need to defend themselves? What is the effect of ____ being attacked?
April 22, 2019
This book is an informational text leveled for grades 3rd-5th. I would use it most likely in a 4th grade class, as it fits the 4th grade science standards about ecosystems.
I would tie this book into science standards. This would be a great cross-content reading book for students. For one assignment, I would have students select another animal that exemplifies defense mechanisms. Students would be put into groups to do research about those animals and how they protect themselves from predators. Another assignment I would hold, is have students create their own food chain. This would help them understand predators and prey and ties into the science standards. Students can use examples and animals that are written in the book.
I selected this as my wow book because I thought it was a great cross-content knowledge book for reading and science. I also love the illustrations and the use of more obscure animals that students often do not hear about.
I would tie this book into science standards. This would be a great cross-content reading book for students. For one assignment, I would have students select another animal that exemplifies defense mechanisms. Students would be put into groups to do research about those animals and how they protect themselves from predators. Another assignment I would hold, is have students create their own food chain. This would help them understand predators and prey and ties into the science standards. Students can use examples and animals that are written in the book.
I selected this as my wow book because I thought it was a great cross-content knowledge book for reading and science. I also love the illustrations and the use of more obscure animals that students often do not hear about.
January 11, 2021
This book that was written for children is a wonderful expiration of traits that mini animals have developed to avoid predation. It is a fun exploration of zoology.
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November 25, 2019Summary:
This is a nonfiction story that talks all about the defense mechanisms that animals use in order to avoid being eaten while out in the wild. The author discusses numerous animals and their methods of escaping predators or enemies. The illustrations provide a picture of the animal, its predator or enemy, and their defense mechanisms. For example, an octupus will let out a black substance called ink in order to get away from its enemy.
Evaluation:
I liked "What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You?" because it is fascinating and interesting to hear all the different ways and methods that animals have in order to protect themselves. I would recommend this book to all teachers and students at the elementary level because this book provides information that could be used to fit any grade level.
Teaching idea:
For a teaching idea, students could read the book and then pick one of the animals in the book to focus in on. After students have chosen their focus animal, they will do more research on this animal, whether this be via nonfiction books or online research. After researching and recording facts and information into a web, students will be asked to write an informational story regarding their focus animal. Students will share their writing with the class when finished.
This is a nonfiction story that talks all about the defense mechanisms that animals use in order to avoid being eaten while out in the wild. The author discusses numerous animals and their methods of escaping predators or enemies. The illustrations provide a picture of the animal, its predator or enemy, and their defense mechanisms. For example, an octupus will let out a black substance called ink in order to get away from its enemy.
Evaluation:
I liked "What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You?" because it is fascinating and interesting to hear all the different ways and methods that animals have in order to protect themselves. I would recommend this book to all teachers and students at the elementary level because this book provides information that could be used to fit any grade level.
Teaching idea:
For a teaching idea, students could read the book and then pick one of the animals in the book to focus in on. After students have chosen their focus animal, they will do more research on this animal, whether this be via nonfiction books or online research. After researching and recording facts and information into a web, students will be asked to write an informational story regarding their focus animal. Students will share their writing with the class when finished.
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November 12, 20171. Not applicable
2. Pre K-2nd
3. It shows and tells what certain animals and insects do when they are in danger. Since animals and insects are always avoiding getting eaten by each others, they all have certain capabilities in order to startle or avoid getting eaten by their predators.
4.What makes this book really great is that it contains lots of visuals and the writing is easy to follow. It is easy for children to understand and it holds lots of information for students to absorb. It is an ideal book, especially when teaching science.
5. -Can be used as an introduction to a science unit. The unit could involve the animal food chain, definitions about predetors vs preys, extend more on what other animals do to survive, talk about carnivores, herbivores, etc.
-Students could do further research by finding another animal/insect who can do certain things (ex. chameleons). Children could then present their animal/insect and share what they learned to the whole class.
2. Pre K-2nd
3. It shows and tells what certain animals and insects do when they are in danger. Since animals and insects are always avoiding getting eaten by each others, they all have certain capabilities in order to startle or avoid getting eaten by their predators.
4.What makes this book really great is that it contains lots of visuals and the writing is easy to follow. It is easy for children to understand and it holds lots of information for students to absorb. It is an ideal book, especially when teaching science.
5. -Can be used as an introduction to a science unit. The unit could involve the animal food chain, definitions about predetors vs preys, extend more on what other animals do to survive, talk about carnivores, herbivores, etc.
-Students could do further research by finding another animal/insect who can do certain things (ex. chameleons). Children could then present their animal/insect and share what they learned to the whole class.
April 14, 2022
I thought this book was fun and a little weird. This story is all about protecting ourselves. Jenkins goes over a variety of animals and their defense mechanisms. Jenkins does a stellar job depicting the different animal behaviors and through his illustrations and word choice, it is as if you are seeing the animal in life action. From shapeshifting, to playing dead, escaping, and mimicking appearances, animals in our world can do it all. All of Jenkins pieces of work should be in every library. Readers get to dive into learning not only how to read, but all about animals and our natural world too! That is pretty exciting if you ask me.
June 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book, both for it's informational text and for the neat pictures. The pictures used are not photographs, but other mediums that don't distract from the lesson we are to learn.
Animals are oftentimes in danger of being eaten. This book tells short facts about what many animals and insects do to resist their attackers. For example, the basilisk lizard is from South America and runs across the surface of ponds or streams at great speed to escape its attacker.
Animals are oftentimes in danger of being eaten. This book tells short facts about what many animals and insects do to resist their attackers. For example, the basilisk lizard is from South America and runs across the surface of ponds or streams at great speed to escape its attacker.
April 13, 2022
An examination of how different animals get out of danger
Jenkins takes readers around the world, showing how different animals have come up with different ways to get out of danger. From camouflage to playing dead, Jenkins uses his collage are to show each. A good book any young reader looking to learn more about animals, and can also be used as a companion piece for both Living Color and Look Again, the Secrets of Animal Camouflage.
Jenkins takes readers around the world, showing how different animals have come up with different ways to get out of danger. From camouflage to playing dead, Jenkins uses his collage are to show each. A good book any young reader looking to learn more about animals, and can also be used as a companion piece for both Living Color and Look Again, the Secrets of Animal Camouflage.
November 21, 2025
Copyright date: 1997
Star rating: 4
Award:
Genre: picture book
Summary w/ themes: This book talks about how different prey react when they are being hunted and the defenses they use against predators.
Use for future classroom: good book for making predictions.
Thoughts of book: I thought this was a pretty decent book.
Star rating: 4
Award:
Genre: picture book
Summary w/ themes: This book talks about how different prey react when they are being hunted and the defenses they use against predators.
Use for future classroom: good book for making predictions.
Thoughts of book: I thought this was a pretty decent book.
May 7, 2017
Love the predator prey interactions without too much details. It's great for early learners to see these scientific principles. I love the artwork!
October 6, 2017
Interesting tour of animals and insects avoiding being prey. My daughter read it to me, and her favorite creature was the puffer fish. Her second favorite was the octopus.
January 28, 2018
The food chain has never been so much fun! Jenkins shares the various ways that prey eludes predators. Nonfiction picture books at its best.
March 8, 2018
I learned about some new animals
November 10, 2019
The catchy title and characteristic Steve Jenkins illustrations draw readers in to learn about animal adaptations that help them escape predators. Tie-in with animal studies about ecosystems and food chains. Part of the fun is learning about less-known animals. Could be used devotionally also.
June 17, 2015
In What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You, Steve Jenkins reveals the hidden defense mechanisms of some of nature’s most intriguing and resourceful creatures. As Jenkins asserts, “Most animals face the constant danger of being eaten by other animals. This book shows a few of the ways that they try to avoid this fate.” Each page shows an animal being tracked by a predator. Animals are identified in sentences that end in ellipses, leaving the reader hanging until the page is turned. After flipping the page, readers will see the animals’ built-in defense systems in action. An octopus is shown squirting a cloud of ink to make its escape, a basilisk lizard can walk over water to avoid ending up in the stomach of its enemy, and a glass snake can detach its tail and slither away when it is trod upon by a foe.
The animals discussed in the book range from the familiar (puffer fish and octopus) to the exotic (blue-tongued skink and pangolin). Kirkus Reviews notes that “whether curling up into an armor-plated ball, squirting clouds of ink, or imitating a leaf, the tricksters are described in a couple of sentences that invite further investigation of these survival techniques” (Amazon.com 2004). Children will enjoy learning about these remarkable animals and the ingenuity of nature’s design. A few of the spreads include additional facts about the animals, such as the basilisk lizard’s alias, the “Jesus Christ Lizard”, called so because of its ability to walk on water. Sentences of explanation as to how the survival mechanisms work are also included. For example, Jenkins informs the reader that the reason a hog-nosed snake’s ploy of playing dead will keep other animals from eating him is that “many predators prefer to kill their own food.” Overall, the text is short and to-the-point, making this a simple but engaging choice that is appropriate for readers of all ages. Jenkins ends the book with a question for reflection, asking children what they would do in such a situation.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this book is Jenkins’s cut paper collage illustrations. Made of papers of varying colors and textures, the collages are intricately detailed and masterfully constructed. Each scale of the pangolin’s body is cut out individually, providing a sense of three-dimensional texture, while the bloated puffer fish’s individually cut spines look appropriately prickly and threatening. Kids will get a sense of what types of animals might wish to eat the animals in question simply by looking at the hunters depicted in the illustrations, without any mention having been made in the text. While some of the illustrations depict animals in their natural habitats, others are simply shown on sheets of colorful handmade paper, dotted with natural fibers and patterns that seem appropriate to the book’s nature theme.
This is an informative, exciting, and accurate book that will reveal the wonders of the animal world to children in a memorable way.
The animals discussed in the book range from the familiar (puffer fish and octopus) to the exotic (blue-tongued skink and pangolin). Kirkus Reviews notes that “whether curling up into an armor-plated ball, squirting clouds of ink, or imitating a leaf, the tricksters are described in a couple of sentences that invite further investigation of these survival techniques” (Amazon.com 2004). Children will enjoy learning about these remarkable animals and the ingenuity of nature’s design. A few of the spreads include additional facts about the animals, such as the basilisk lizard’s alias, the “Jesus Christ Lizard”, called so because of its ability to walk on water. Sentences of explanation as to how the survival mechanisms work are also included. For example, Jenkins informs the reader that the reason a hog-nosed snake’s ploy of playing dead will keep other animals from eating him is that “many predators prefer to kill their own food.” Overall, the text is short and to-the-point, making this a simple but engaging choice that is appropriate for readers of all ages. Jenkins ends the book with a question for reflection, asking children what they would do in such a situation.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this book is Jenkins’s cut paper collage illustrations. Made of papers of varying colors and textures, the collages are intricately detailed and masterfully constructed. Each scale of the pangolin’s body is cut out individually, providing a sense of three-dimensional texture, while the bloated puffer fish’s individually cut spines look appropriately prickly and threatening. Kids will get a sense of what types of animals might wish to eat the animals in question simply by looking at the hunters depicted in the illustrations, without any mention having been made in the text. While some of the illustrations depict animals in their natural habitats, others are simply shown on sheets of colorful handmade paper, dotted with natural fibers and patterns that seem appropriate to the book’s nature theme.
This is an informative, exciting, and accurate book that will reveal the wonders of the animal world to children in a memorable way.
May 25, 2016
Well, THIS is a BIG question, especially for someone like me who’s little and likes bears. Because you know if I ran into a bear and he was hungry, I might be history!
But this one isn’t about girls. It’s about animals. And what these guys all do when something wants to EAT them. And a lot of times, what these guys do is they make themselves look like something else, or they fly away or they run real fast.
But there’s one snake who’s really a lizard that breaks himself up into little pieces! Now THAT’S weird. Except wouldn’t the animal that wanted to eat him just eat the pieces? But I guess it’s better to be a SNACK than a whole meal!
At the end they ask what I’d do if something wanted to eat me, and I don’t know. I guess I could try saying “Look, I’m hungry too. Maybe we can SHARE something. Like LIZARD PIECES! HAHAHA!”
Or you know what? Maybe I can take food with me and then I can give that animal MY food instead of being HIS food. Then I wouldn’t have MY food but you know what? I’d rather be HUNGRY than be SUPPER!
So this one had good facts and real artistic pictures and it made me think.
So that makes it a really good one!
But this one isn’t about girls. It’s about animals. And what these guys all do when something wants to EAT them. And a lot of times, what these guys do is they make themselves look like something else, or they fly away or they run real fast.
But there’s one snake who’s really a lizard that breaks himself up into little pieces! Now THAT’S weird. Except wouldn’t the animal that wanted to eat him just eat the pieces? But I guess it’s better to be a SNACK than a whole meal!
At the end they ask what I’d do if something wanted to eat me, and I don’t know. I guess I could try saying “Look, I’m hungry too. Maybe we can SHARE something. Like LIZARD PIECES! HAHAHA!”
Or you know what? Maybe I can take food with me and then I can give that animal MY food instead of being HIS food. Then I wouldn’t have MY food but you know what? I’d rather be HUNGRY than be SUPPER!
So this one had good facts and real artistic pictures and it made me think.
So that makes it a really good one!
January 28, 2011
In Robb's book, Teaching Nonfiction Writing, there is a quote from David Quammen about good nonfiction finding the intersection between what's interesting and what's important. This book is a good example of that. It tells what animals do to protect themselves, but it finds the most interesting protective responses found in nature. Then the author explains them in two ways that I think are effective: first he sets up the beginning of the sentence with the animal and the potential threat. . . but you have to turn the page to find the way the animal responds. What I also like is that there is the potential for the sentences to all be the same both in structure and in word choice--but he makes each one different through a variety of sentence structures and synonyms. Nice model.
December 2, 2012
This was a great picture book that tells about different wild animals and what different defense techniques they use to defend from the predators that try to eat them. The book shows through pictures predators that creep up on their prey and then the text describes what the prey does to defend themselves. Jenkins does a wonderful job showing and explaining the various wild animals.
This picture book is a great book for students to learn more about the various wild animals and their predator. The book provides factual information about the wild animals and what their specific defense technique is. This picture book is a very interesting and entertaining book!
This picture book is a great book for students to learn more about the various wild animals and their predator. The book provides factual information about the wild animals and what their specific defense technique is. This picture book is a very interesting and entertaining book!
July 8, 2014
Every week I try to find a favorite children's author, and grab whatever picture books are available. Just to keep my hand in, and to see what new work the author has done since I stopped reading picture books aloud. This week it was Jenkins, whose art is so compelling.
***
I really love Jenkin's art, which is only funny because I don't care for Carle at all. Anyway, fun book of factoids of defensive methods of the animal world. Good choice for a kid who likes nonfiction.
Library copy.
***
I really love Jenkin's art, which is only funny because I don't care for Carle at all. Anyway, fun book of factoids of defensive methods of the animal world. Good choice for a kid who likes nonfiction.
Library copy.
January 9, 2009
Amazing! Love it! With each animal example, you are introduced to the animal on one page and then must turn the page to see what that animal does in defense or offense. It was fun to read with the kids because I could ask them if they knew what that particular animal did. Sometimes they knew and sometimes not. As always, some really amazing facts from Steve Jenkins, represented by his excellent art work!
August 11, 2016
I love Steve Jenkins' artwork, and the subject matter is always interesting and educational as well. This one wasn't as good as some of his others -- I missed the descriptions of the animals he usually includes in the last pages, and I thought the glass snake losing his tail was actually a bit disturbing. But there were also some fascinating tidbits: the pangolin can roll itself into an armor-plated ball to protect itself, and the flying fish can glide as far as a thousand feet!
February 16, 2014
This book from Steve Jenkins is alive with examples of animal response to danger, some camouflage, but many actions too. The illustrations are created in Jenkins’ usual collages, and the information is both informative and inviting. When reading, I immediately wanted to know more! One example: A hover fly protects itself from predator by mimicking a wasp which birds don’t like to eat. It’s a good beginner’s book is animal survival, adaptation.
August 25, 2016
The title pretty much says it with this book. One page shows the animals giving it's name and a few words more and the next how it escapes. Most of the animals have unusual ways of escaping predators which makes this one especially fun. image the ooh and cool exclamations from the audience. The illustrations are the typical wonderful color filled paper collages Steve Jenkins ahs made famous.
preschool and up
preschool and up
March 23, 2015
This book is a wonderful way to introduce animals to kids, especially since it's non-fiction. It's the perfect length for small kids, with just the right amount of surprise for each animal. I also love that it uses some non-traditional animals like the pangolin, and even names the specific types of snake, fly, etc. The illustrations were lively and engaging, and the kids absolutely loved the book. (They also loved acting out the animals afterwards, of course!)
November 6, 2014
A great non-fiction book by Steve Jenkins. Rates right up there with What Do You Do With a Tail Like That, this book shares great facts about what animals do when they are in danger. I did miss the wonderful facts about the animals mentioned that the author usually puts in the back of the book, though.
April 18, 2013
Steven Jenkins hasn't failed us yet. A non-fiction book has definitely done it's job when the reader wants to explore the topic more, which is exactly what happened here- when he finished, Hugh wanted to find out more about the bombardier beetle and the "Jesus Christ" lizard. Love it when a book sparks a kid's curiosity.
June 30, 2013
Each page of this vivid book shows a predator species and a prey species; each page highlights a defense mechanism in the prey and teaches readers how animals adapt to survive. Jenkins uses an illustration technique that looks like cut paper scrap collage; I think it’s really effective. The colors are bold and the contrast is very strong.
March 2, 2011
Linc liked this one, but it was a little over his head. I think it could have been better if they'd chosed to use photographs instead of illistrations, and also showed a before and after picture. Still good and informative though. But I do think Linc will like it better in a few years.
April 19, 2012
I think this is a cute book.
This book shows paper collage illustrations so it's appealing to the eyes.
I would use this book to have a lesson on survival/extinction.
This could also be used to branch out onto food webs/food chains.
Grades 1-3.
This book shows paper collage illustrations so it's appealing to the eyes.
I would use this book to have a lesson on survival/extinction.
This could also be used to branch out onto food webs/food chains.
Grades 1-3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews