Wolves [Hardcover]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

In clear, economical prose, acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon describes wolves' habits and habitats, and explains the complex social hierarchy that rules a pack. Illustrated with 18 striking, full-color photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as loyalty, cooperation, and adaptability. A broad range of information is touched upon lightly, including physical characteristics, habitat, hunting and diet, breeding and raising pups, and some unique facts about pack hierarchy and howling. An introduction uses imagery to conjure up the spirit of the wolf; the conclusion touches on the animal's past and questionable future. An attractive and simple introduction, but Candace Savage's Wolves (Sierra, 1989) has more to offer.
Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any way detracting from the fierce beauty of the wolves' wild nature. Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; 1st edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060225319
• ISBN-13: 978-0060225315
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,744,950 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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?, June 27, 2000

By 

Kali "bengaligirl" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wolves (Sierra Club Wildlife Library) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book written by the renowned naturalist R.D.Lawrence that aims to introduce school children to the world of the wolf. Lawrence is one of the foremost experts on wildlife, and has written many books for adults, but this book is aimed at a much younger audience. Children from nine years and onwards will thoroughly enjoy this colorful book that is filled with amazing photos and an interesting narrative that takes the young reader deep into the lair of the wolf. Lawrence presents his experience of wolves in the wild as well as other interesting facts such as the historical distribution of the wolves over the centuries and how wolves differ from other canine species. This is a well written book that will draw the child into the strange and wonderful world of the wolf. However this book is more suitable for the older reader; younger readers would probably enjoy looking at the many photos and drawings but the narrative is aimed at a child with better than average reading skills. Several younger children that I know of who have been introduced to this book as a learning aid were keener on the colorful drawings/sketches than the photos (though they did like them) and they wanted a more interactive book. They especially liked it when Lawrence "asked" them questions such as "Is it a wolf or coyote?" and then described the difference briefly whilst showing a sketch of a wolf and a coyote. It would be great if another book about wolves could be published to meet the needs of younger readers (age group 4 to 8 years) because there obviously is a niche that could be filled. All the same this is an excellent learning aid for the older child, as well as being a beautiful book that charts the rise, fall and rise again of the supposed big "bad" wolf.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Education, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wolves (Library Binding)

I recently taught a unit to a second grade class on Wolves. This book was very resourceful to me and enjoyable to the children. The pictures are breathtaking and it is filled with a variety of wolf information. Although, I feel that the reading level is slighlty above ages 4-8. I would suggest, for independant reading, ages 8-10 perhaps.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent book by Seymour Simon, October 28, 2011

By 

sunny swimmer "sunny swimmer" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wolves (Paperback)

My 4-year old son is nuts about the Smithsonian series of books that this book was published by, and so are we (his parents). Seymour Simon is materful at educating and intriguing children with his text, and the photos are superb as well. Admittedly my son is young for these books, but he gets a great deal from them anyway and I am certain that he will continue to get more from them as he grows older. Wolves is a wonderful book that is packed with fascinating information about these beautiful creatures, along with grogeous photos of wolves in their natural habitat. Another winner from Seymour Simon!