Gorillas [Paperback]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

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

Classic movies show giant gorillas scaling tall buildings and swatting planes from the sky, but actual gorillas are gentle social animals that live together in family groups like humans. In fact, gorillas are one of the closest genetic matches to people. And just like humans, gorillas can

• shriek
• chuckle
• hiccup
• even burp!

Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to bring you an updated edition of his classic full-color photographic introduction to these fascinating animals.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-A clear, concise picture of these endangered creatures and their lifestyle. Simon includes information on the three gorilla species and their physical differences, their habitats, diet, daily habits, various behaviors, and decreasing populations. The extremely handsome, oversized color photos enhance the readable text and complement it perfectly. Sadly missing is a map so that children can see how restricted the gorilla's range has become. However, this attractive, informative book certainly deserves a place in all collections, even those already holding Paul Burgel's well-written Gorillas (Carolrhoda, 1993).
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Reviewed with James P. Delgado's Native American Shipwrecks.

Gr. 5-7. Despite the dramatic titles, these two books in the Watts Library--Shipwrecks series are not about Titanic -like disasters but about underwater archaeology: how scientists find and excavate wrecks and what the lost ships and boats tell us about the people who traveled in them long ago. The history is exciting and so is the archaeology. The cover painting on the Native American book is like a generic picture postcard, but Delgado writes with authentic detail about particular ancient cultures. He focuses on the voyages they made and the boats they used, some of which are still being made today. Smith's book is as much about exploration and settlement through history as it is about today's exploration of evidence from ships that were lost at sea. She talks about particular voyages, including those of Columbus and of Amundsen, and recent archaeological projects. The books are profusely illustrated with color photos and prints on every spread, and the design is spacious, with short chapters and lots of colored screens. A glossary, a bibliography, and personal source notes show the writers' extensive experience. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060506709
• ISBN-13: 978-0060506704
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Photography
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Apes & Monkeys > Nonfiction
  • #59 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Simon, Seymour

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The majesty of the gorilla, January 18, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gorillas (Hardcover)

In "Gorillas," a rich assortment of full-color photographs is complemented by the interesting, straightforward text of Seymour Simon. The result is fine book for young readers who are interested in gorillas.

Simon describes the different subspecies of gorilla: the western lowland, eastern lowland, and mountain gorilla. He also discusses gorilla anatomy and social life. Particularly interesting is the material about gorilla babies and their development. Simon makes it clear that gorillas are, in general, peaceful beings who have sometimes been inaccurately portrayed by the entertainment industry. Towards the end of the book, Simon discusses some threats to wild gorillas and pays tribute to the work of pioneering gorilla researchers George Schaller and Dian Fossey.

Of course, very young readers will be happy to simply look at the stunning photographs in the book. The cameras capture the varied range of gorilla facial expression and body language. Especially moving are the pictures of young gorillas and gorilla family groups. Looking into the faces of these beings, you can really see the genetic kinship they share with humans (Simon notes that our two species share 98% of our DNA)."Gorillas" is another fine achievement for Seymour Simon.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL INTRODUCTION BOOK., November 24, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gorillas (Paperback)

The photographs in this book alone are worth the price of the book. This is a great starter book for children. The text is quite simply written yet is loaded with facts and leaves plenty of room open for discussion. The book is quite well researched. This is a good one to read one on one with your child or it is good to read to the entire class. The kids all seem to like it quite well, which, in the end, is really what matters. Highly recommend this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lots of good info, May 20, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gorillas (Hardcover)

Science author Seymour Simon gives us a great education on Gorillas in his book titled Gorillas. We learn neat facts about these creatures. They can weight only weight about 5 pounds we they are born up grow to weight more than 400 pounds! The book includes lots of full color photos of Gorillas. It also tells us there are 3 group of gorillas. We learn about all three groups in the book and get to see pictures of them as well.

The content of the book is written in a simplistic manner, but is loaded with facts and statistics about gorillas.

Children who would like learn more about gorillas will enjoy this book. We recommed it to animal loves ages 4-9.