Dogs [Paperback]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Dogs are the most popular pet in the world and Seymour Simon provides useful tips and guidelines for any kid looking for a new pet. Lavishly illustrated with full-color, appealing photographs, Seymour Simon captures dogs as they work, and play.

Ages: 5 - 8

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Reviewed with Seymour Simon's Cats.

Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. There are other books about these popular pets, but most are for older children. Here, Simon writes crisply for a young audience, who will eagerly turn the pages to see the next endearing color photograph. In Dogs, he begins with overall characteristics framed in ways kids can understand: "Dogs are able to swallow much larger hunks of food than humans are able to swallow." Simon also describes dogs' senses, their intelligence, and means of communication. Descriptions of birth and growth are enhanced by a full-page picture of puppies feeding and a smaller photo of a tiny puppy held in a hand. Simon also describes different breeds, including terriers, shepherds, and toys. Cats covers most of the same topics with the same sort of photos--for example, kittens feeding. Both books use a page or two to discuss pet care and end with pictures of various breeds. Simon's always lucid prose is matched by sharp photos, most of which fill up the pages. An attractive way to introduce children to nonfiction. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Seymour Simon has been called “the dean of the [children’s science book] field” by the New York Times. He has written more than 250 books for young readers and has received the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children’s science literature, the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library, the Washington Post-Children’s Book Guild Award, the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award, and the Mom’s Choice Award-Gold. He and his wife, Liz, live in upstate New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Collins; Updated edition (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064462552
• ISBN-13: 978-0064462556
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Simon, Seymour
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs > Nonfiction

More About the Author

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). His free, educational children's app, SCIENCE FUN TO GO, debuted in the Top 10 of all free children's apps in the Amazon App store, and features in app purchase of original Seymour Simon eBooks, as well as a multitude of free content.

Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.

He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."

Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.

In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York. You can follow his daily nature walks and see his photographs from the field on Twitter (@seymoursimon) or on his Facebook group page. He also regularly hosts Q&As and sponsors book giveaways on GoodReads.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars appealing and informative, November 23, 2011

By 

Experienced Editor (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dogs (Paperback)

Considering a dog as a pet? Check out this picture book in the Smithsonian Institution's science education series. In only 32 pages, the text provides a clear and intriguing introduction to the dogs, from history to fascinating facts (a dog can hear noises that are four times father away than the noises a person can hear). Included in the conversational text is information on various types of dogs as well as their behavior, senses, life cycle, communication, and distinctive talents. Although the book is not meant as a guide for keeping a family pet, it does mention considerations for deciding whether to add a puppy to a household.

Top-quality color photographs are a strong point of the book. No captions are included; for a few photos it would have been helpful to identify the breeds shown, but this is a minor matter in such an informative and attractive book.

3.0 out of 5 stars A fine second book, January 13, 2005

By 

M. E. Wood "Content Writer and Reviewer" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogs (Hardcover)

Where did dogs come from? How high can a dog jump? How sensitive is a dog's scent? How do dogs communicate? These are just a few of the questions Seymour Simon answers in Dogs.

Dogs is loaded with small and large photos of many different breeds. It would have been nice if they were labeled. The front cover however does break down a few breeds under the five main breed: Hounds, Terriers, Sporting Dogs, Working Dogs, and Herding Dogs.

I was disappointed in the size/price comparison of this book. A rather small book for the hefty price of $23.99 CAN. But surprised how much data was contained there in. The content is easy to read, to the point and entertaining enough for any adult that may be following along. The hardcover and heavy pages are sure to be durable for the recommended 4-8 age group.

A fine second book if you can find it in your bargain section.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars full of neat info, October 24, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dogs (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful introduction for children to the world of the dogs. This will teach young children lots of facts about dogs. This book shows us all about the cats overall characteristics, descriptions of birth and growth and lots more neat facts. At the end of the book are some helpful questions to ask your family before deciding if a cat is the right pet for your family.

We liked looking at the various breeds of dogs. The full color photos were very good and educational.

This is a great book that appeals to children and dog lovers alike.