Simon's ( Whales ; Saturn ) latest is an informative journey through the universe--a pictorial catalogue that presents illustrated definitions of terms related to space travel and exploration. Explanations of such concepts as the Big Bang theory or extraterrestrial life are simple and concise; the language is comprehensible and not too scientifically sophisticated for its audience. Chewning's ( If Dinosaurs Were Alive Today ) watercolors offer a palette bold enough to stimulate interest yet warm enough to help demystify some of the subject matter. Although billed as a dictionary, more distinct alphabetical divisions and perhaps phonetic pronunciation keys would make this a better beginning reference tool. Ages 7-10. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
Gr 1-2-- A picture dictionary of 75 astronomical and astronautical terms and people, illustrated with simple pen-and-ink drawings painted with bright watercolors. Simon tries to cover far too much here; although many definitions are models of accuracy and clarity, some are startlingly simplistic, such as ``space: Everything beyond Earth's atmosphere'' or just confusing, such as ``zodiac: A circular band in the sky around which the sun, moon, and planets appear to move.'' Obviously, the author had to pick and choose from a vast vocabulary, but his choices are sometimes hard to understand: ``Explorer I'' but not Sputnik; ``dwarf star'' and ``red giant'' but not the rest of the main sequence; ``mission control''; ``Milky Way'' and ``Milky Way galaxy''; ``nova'' and ``supernova.'' Chewning's pictures are visually appealing, but not always trustworthy; the asteroid belt isn't nearly as dense as shown, and a neutron star, described as ``about the size of New York,'' is plainly much larger. Steer primary readers to Cole's Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System (Scholastic, 1990) and Franklyn Branley's many books. --John Peters, New York Public Library
Seymour Simon, whom the New York Times called "the dean of the [children's science] field," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books, more than seventyfive of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects, and his Collins photoessay series is cobranded with the Smithsonian Institution, giving them a special seal of approval from a leading authority on science and education.
Seymour Simon's 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. His website, SeymourSimon.com, is a 2011 Webby Honoree designed to engage children in science, reading and writing. And his interactive, read aloud iBook, WHY DO PUPPIES DO THAT, was one of five finalists in the Children's category of the Publishing Innovation Awards at Digital Book World 2012.
Seymour Simon is a founding partner in StarWalk Kids Media (starwalkkids.com), a streaming content provider and marketing platform for eBooks, apps and other engaging, educational content. The company distributes its product to schools and libraries, teachers, caregivers and parents seeking high quality and affordable children's literature, with a special emphasis on nonfiction. StarWalk Kids has assembled a bestinclass catalogue of awardwinning titles by beloved authors and illustrators, available through a website which enables educators to search for books by Lexile Level, Alphabetic Level, and Common Core Standards.
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 Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.
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Overview
Defines words and terms commonly used in discussing outer space--from Apollo Program to Zodiac.