The Universe [Hardcover]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2006 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Exceptional nonfiction for children from two of the most trusted names in science education: Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6ASimon offers what amounts to an introduction to his long running, literally and figuratively stellar series of photo-essays on matters astronomical. Matching full-color, full- and double-page-spread-sized light and radio photographs of nebulas, galaxies, and sundry deep-space phenomena with two or three paragraphs of explanatory text, he covers a wide range of topics, from the Big Bang to quasars, from star formation to extrasolar planets. Care has been taken to keep the pictures and related text close together, and the choice of detail is guaranteed to whet youngster's appetites for a more thorough, narrowly focused treatment. Asking some of the Big QuestionsA"Does life exist on earth-like planets in distant solar systems? Will the universe expand forever or finally stop and then collapse into a gigantic black hole?"ASimon writes that "we are just at the beginning of a golden age of discovery." This book, along with the others that it leads to, will give children the solid background they will need to understandAand perhaps even participate inAthose discoveries.AJohn Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate 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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Collins (May 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060877243
• ISBN-13: 978-0060877248
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #851,095 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Universe, July 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Universe (Hardcover)

If you love space then this is the book for you. The conceps leave you wondering how big the universe is and if it is still expanding. The pictures are absolutly breathtaking. With the pictures and explanations of the galaxy, black holes, and stars, the book is a must for space lovers. It is easy to understand and would make a great gift to any child, or anyone of any age, who loves space.

5.0 out of 5 stars Six-year-old fascinated by "The Universe", June 29, 2009

By 

F. M. Davis (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Universe (Paperback)

My six-year-old grandson has already watched "The Universe" four times. It's not intended for kids but is so well done that a bright child can follow it with no trouble.

5 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars True disappointment, June 27, 2001

By 

T. Grant (Taylorsville, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Universe (Hardcover)

This book is only valid if you believe in the big bang theory of the creation of the universe. It is also light on statistics and gives no detail on the different planets in the universe. You have to buy all the individual books to get that.