Planets Around the Sun - Level 1 (See More Readers) [Paperback]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2002 | Grade Level: P and up

Explore our solar system, from Mercury-where temperatures range from 300 degrees below zero to 800 degrees-to Pluto, the coldest and smallest planet.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With brief, accessible text, engaging topics and a perforated page of collectible cards Seymour Simon's See More Reader series will rope in even the most reluctant readers. According to Danger! Earthquake, "most of the world's earthquakes happen in a zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire." A map of the world highlights the hot spots. Bulldozers, dump trucks and offshore oil rigs get their due in Giant Machines. Additional offerings include Wild Bears; Killer Whales; and Planets Around the Sun. (Apr.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Vivid pictures and interesting facts define this easy-reader survey. Each spread gives a brief physical description of a planet (the moon and asteroids are covered as well) and provides an interesting piece of trivia pertaining to it. A black background nicely contrasts with the large-type white text. Clearly written, it has an occasional word that may prove challenging to younger audiences. In his discussion of the sun Simon says, "If Earth were the size of a basketball, the sun would be as big as a basketball court." It's unfortunate that there aren't more comparisons of size and scale like this one. The colorful close-up photographs of the planets are superb; some of them seem to have been borrowed from the author's previous works. A number-heavy planet-comparison chart is also included.
Louie Lahana, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587171465
• ISBN-13: 978-1587171468
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #490,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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:

4.0 out of 5 stars An astronomy book that covers the basic facts, October 16, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: See More Readers: Planets Around the Sun -Level 1 (Hardcover)

"Planets Around the Sun," by Seymour Simon, combines many astronomical photographs with an easy-to-read text. The book is a basic overview of the planets of the solar system. A sample of the writing style: "We live on a planet called Earth. [new page] Earth is one of the nine planets that travel around the sun."

The book includes a comparative chart that lists each planet along with basic facts: distance from the sun, orbital period, number of moons (if any), etc. The book sticks to only the most basic facts; for example, the moons of Mars and other planets are not mentioned by name.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great additional resource of basic facts, November 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Planets Around the Sun - Level 1 (See More Readers) (Paperback)

My 3rd grade son reads below grade level and is a very visual learner. This book is full of great, real, photos and straight-forward facts. He loved reading it and looking at the photos. It really helped reinforce what he was being taught in school about the solar system!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just The Facts, Mamm., April 10, 2003

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Planets Around the Sun - Level 1 (See More Readers) (Paperback)

PLANETS AROUND THE SUN works rather well as an introductory book to the planets of the solar system in the Milky Way. The book briefly discusses the nine planets of the Milky Way, the Earth's Moon, and the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The last page in the book displays a chart that illustrates, among other things, the distance of each planet from the sun; each planet's orbital period; amount of moons; and the amount of rings. There are several basic space facts scattered throughout the thirty pages, e.g. the winds on Neptune blow at over 700 mph. The thing that separates this book from others of it's kind that I have read are it's bright and vivid pictures. The pictures are full of color and contrast and bring to life the uniqueness of our solar system. Overall this is a wonderful book to introduce children to the wonder and miracle of space.