Uranus [Hardcover]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1987 | Age Level: 4 and up

Almost two billion miles from the sun is Uranus, a giant planet that "lies on its side" in space. Using new photographs taken by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which swept past Uranus in 1986, noted science writer Seymour Simon offers an up-to-date look at this distant world. He describes Uranus's hot, watery atmosphere and pale blue-green clouds, its strange magnetic "tail" and coal-black rings, as well as its fifteen exotic moons. One of these, Miranda, has the strangest mixture of surfaces ever found in the Solar System.

Illustrated with almost twenty stunning, full-color photographs, Uranus introduces readers to the wonder and mystery of the seventh planet.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There is no life on Mars. And there are no "canals" on its surface. Scientists have ascertained this information from the Viking spacecraft landing in 1975. Astonishing pictures of the red planet are some of the highlights of this book that illuminate the way we think about Mars and about space. Simon has combined these vivid resources, with his characteristic spare, smooth prose in this title, a companion to The Sun, Stars, Jupiter, Saturn and (most recently) Uranus. Readers learn that Mars (named for the Roman god of war) is closer to Earth than Venus, and that the Martian year is 687 days long. Simon brings information home with analogy and anecdotes, helping young astronomers to visualize and ponder the mystery of the heavens. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A first purchase recommendation." -- --Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688065821
• ISBN-13: 978-0688065829
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,594,273 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

3.0 out of 5 stars Uranus ...Disappointed again with Seymor Simon, November 4, 2009

By 

Thomas Erickson (Lutz Fl and Felt Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Uranus (Paperback)

Been buying Seymor Simon books Uranus,Galaxies, Destination Jupiter, Destination Mars. All to me are not so good. Im an amateur astronomer on a budget so I gambled getting these used Seymor Simon books hoping they would have some reference information I can use.I cant afford to pay $50 per book on these subjects.

Uranus dissapointed me again. Its a kids book. Large type so not much is said. 100% info of Uranus I already knew. Did learn a little more about some of Uranus moons. That was good. Uranus moon pics are good.Already knew I will never see a detailed view of Uranus. Its always a blue disk so I cant fault Simon on that.

Gave Uranus only 3 stars as the Uranus moon pics were good and some info, but the rest of the book offered me very little. Will hold on to this book till I can afford a more detailed book on Uranus and then give Uranus to my nephew so his mom can show the pictures and read to him.

If you want a kids book to show and read to your child buy Uranus. Its an OK book for a beginner to get interested on the suject. However if you want more meat and potatoes for reference this is not the book. If you want a more detailed reference book with good pictures save your money and get a better book.