Lightning (Paperback)

by Seymour Simon (Author) "Every second of every day more than a hundred lightning bolts strike the earth..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-5?A purple-hued cover photo attracts readers to this fascinating topic. The stunning, vibrantly colored photographs help to explain the text, illustrating points such as the differences between the three kinds of lightning. Short, simple sentences make this topic accessible to younger readers but do not talk down to older report writers. Simon emphasizes precautions about lightning (for example, "If you are in water, get out as soon as possible"). He also lists safe places to be if you are caught out in the open during a lightning storm. Libraries that own Stephen Kramer's Lightning (Carolrhoda, 1992) or Jonathan Kahl's Thunderbolt (Lerner, 1993) may not need an additional title covering similar material, but the outstanding photos make Simon's book a striking selection.?Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Gr. 3^-6. Simon's simple yet dramatic description of lightning as a "river of electricity rushing through an ocean of air" sets the tone for this excellent photo-essay. The subject is exciting, the information is amazing, and the full-color photographs are riveting, each spectacular picture more exciting than the last. Simon's explanations are concise but thorough. He includes plenty of information for student researchers--incredible statistics about lightning strikes and storms, explanations of different types of lightning (including some recently discovered ones), and information on how lightning occurs and is studied by scientists. There are also some intriguing anecdotes to add texture to the facts. The book will be a valuable addition to science classrooms and library collections serving a variety of age levels. Even students older than the target audience will enjoy browsing the wonderful pictures, some of which were taken by storm chaser Warren Faidley, whose career is explored in Kramer's Eye of the Storm, reviewed elsewhere in this issue. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (May 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688167063
• ISBN-13: 978-0688167066
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #286,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #34 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Simon, Seymour
  #93 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Weather > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful text and gorgeous illustrations!, March 9, 2004

By	christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

By far the best illustrations of any book I've seen about lightning. It also contains two photos from Boston's Museum of Science's electricity show, which are interesting, and a special treat for those of us who have seen that wonderful show.

The content of the book is great and gives more detail about lightning than I've found in other children's books on this subject. An example is giving a list of all the different types of lightning and even revealing three new kinds of lightning discovered in 1995. Who knew? Three other books I read about lightning and storms failed to give the level of detail that Simon chose to include.

Simon tells us what to do if we are caught in a lightning storm but it is done in a careful way with statistics given such as the number of people hit by lightning who lived through is almost double the number who are hit and die as a result of it.

As usual Simon writes in a non-patronizing tone, which I appreciate. We really enjoyed this book. A must-read for learning about the weather!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING!, June 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lightning (Hardcover)

The full-color photos in this book are absolutely stunning. Lightning towering over a cityscape, hitting a tree, bursting from clouds, even right beside a twisting tornado! The text is large and easy to read. This book provides a wonderful overview of the phenomenon that is lightning, and is appropriate for readers of all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent author, wonderful pictures!, September 9, 2006

By	Sheila Brothers "sheila_brothers" (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lightning (Hardcover)

Seymour Simon has captivated my four year-old son with so many of his books. This one had to be checked out of the library twice! Not only is my son absorbing what mother nature does, but I have learned a lot as well.