A perfect gift for both animal enthusiasts and little ones just starting to learn about creatures and critters, Actual Size, by Steve Jenkins, is such a unique children’s book because it does just what the title implies: it depicts each animal at its actual size.

Because each image is the actual size, many creatures do not fit on the page. Viewing an elephant’s foot taking up a whole spread, or seeing a moth that’s the size of a bird, can really change a child’s perspective and help him or her understand just how big—or, how small, in the case of the tiny dwarf goby fish, which measures less than an inch—an animal really is!

Some of the art—all of which is created through bright, colorful paper collages—can be scary for young readers, such as the entire open mouth of a great white shark sporting pointy, sharp teeth! Use your own discretion to determine whether or not your little one would be comfortable with this book. Some of the creatures are cuties that any child would enjoy, such as the tiny pygmy mouse lemur.

Actual Size is great for many projects with your child. Whether he or she wants to see just how big a saltwater crocodile really is while doing a report on the reptile, or you need a medium of inspiration for a new nature painting, this book will come in handy. Plus, as some pages fold out, it’s also great for some interaction with your child. Just be sure to catch the look on his or her face when she pulls out the page and sees what’s hiding beneath it!