Seymour Simon's Book of Trains [Paperback]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2004 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Trains can carry

grain and gravel,

milk and machines,

cars and computers,

pipes and people.

Seymour Simon′s exploration of these very different trains and their uses, combined with his characteristically eye-catching full-color photographs, captures the beauty and power of steam trains, diesel trains, electric trains, and more -- all at work!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Seymour Simon's Book of Trains, the author dedicates one spread each to various kinds of trains, with a full-color photograph on one side and, opposite, a couple of paragraphs describing it. He covers everything from old-fashioned diesel trains to subways that run on electricity to France's TGV (with speeds of between 200-300 mph). A series of spreads on the freight train details different kinds of cars.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Grade 4-Trains and individual freight cars are displayed in glorious full color in this oversized book. Simon offers information on different types of these machines from the earliest steam locomotives to France's TGV, which can reach speeds of 300 miles per hour. The section on freight trains delves into each car from boxcars to the now-obsolete caboose. The sharp pictures cover half of each spread. One small complaint is that while the TGV and Japan's bullet trains are mentioned, they are not pictured. But never mind. Even preschoolers will be drawn in by the large, abundant photographs. Another winner from a popular author.
Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064462234
• ISBN-13: 978-0064462235
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 11 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Simon, Seymour
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Trains
  • #24 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Railroads

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

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional train book for youngsters, July 13, 2004

By 

Allison (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seymour Simon's Book of Trains (Hardcover)

My 3 year old, like many others his age, is obsessed with trains. We regularly go to the library to check out books about trains. We found this one on a recent visit, and it stands heads and shoulders above many of the others I've seen because it is a great balance between the picture books that preschoolers and older children love and non-fiction books that can sometimes be too detailed for children.

Every other page has a photograph of a type of train or part of a train, and the facing pages provide a small amount of text about the subject. There is just enough text to provide basic information plus a little more, but the text is short enough that the entire book can be read aloud to a child in about 5-10 minutes. All types of trains (steam, diesel, and electric) are shown as well as different types of cars.

The photographs are bright, clear, and coloful, so much so that the images approache coffee-table book quality. This book would make an excellent gift.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn about trains!, June 1, 2007

By 

RainyDay (Western WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seymour Simon's Book of Trains (Paperback)

We thought our 4 yr old train fanatic had taught us everything we needed to know about all the different train cars, but this book had a lot more knowledge for us. It's one of his favorite books, and has large photographs of trains and train cars. I think this is a must-have for any train loving kid!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for my son and me, May 7, 2007

By 

mfg in FL "mfg in FL" (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seymour Simon's Book of Trains (Paperback)

This is a wonderful story with great artwork. Sure to please the train lover.