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Simon, S. (1989). Whales. New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers.
Ages: 5 to 8
Summary: The focus of this book in on whales, as the title of the book lets the reader know. It describes the length and weight of the different types of whale by making comparisons that the reader has knowledge about. One such comparison is the heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car. The weight of each whale is compared to how many elephants it would take to equal that amount. The author describes how each whale swims and catches its food. Also, he tells the reader the ocean of where each whale can be found. In the conclusion of this book, Simon discussed the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC was established to set rules about whaling. Despite the IWC rules, countries still allow whaling. This has continued to decrease the population of whales making some of them endangered of extinction.
National Standards: The characteristics of organisms, Life cycles of organisms, Organisms and environments: Investigate the diversity of living things and Explore the basic patterns of living systems.
Credibility of Author: Seymour Simon is the author of over 200 science books (over half of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). He has been honored by many awards for his work including the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library; the Eva L. Gordon Award, presented by the American Nature Society, for his contribution to children's science literature; and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction for the body of his work.
Description of Illustrations: This book was selected by the New York Times Book Review as one of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1989. The photographs in this book were taken by Ocean Images, Inc., Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Nicklin & Associates. Each photograph captures what the text is describing on the page to the right of it.
Access Features: Page with famous quote by Moby Dick, or The White Whale
How to use in classroom: I would use this book in science if I was discussing mammals. Students could use this book as an independent reader and make comparisons to humans.
Related text: Seymour Simon has written many books that could be used as a study on animals including books titled: Sharks, Snakes, Crocodiles and Alligators, and Big Cats.
My Response: This was an easy reading and informative book. It is one that I would want to use in my classroom. Even though my students are just beginning to learn to read, I feel that it is one that they would not struggle with. I feel that they would enjoy it as well.
Simon, S. (1989). Whales. New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers.
Ages: 5 to 8
Summary: The focus of this book in on whales, as the title of the book lets the reader know. It describes the length and weight of the different types of whale by making comparisons that the reader has knowledge about. One such comparison is the heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car. The weight of each whale is compared to how many elephants it would take to equal that amount. The author describes how each whale swims and catches its food. Also, he tells the reader the ocean of where each whale can be found. In the conclusion of this book, Simon discussed the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC was established to set rules about whaling. Despite the IWC rules, countries still allow whaling. This has continued to decrease the population of whales making some of them endangered of extinction.
National Standards: The characteristics of organisms, Life cycles of organisms, Organisms and environments: Investigate the diversity of living things and Explore the basic patterns of living systems.
Credibility of Author: Seymour Simon is the author of over 200 science books (over half of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). He has been honored by many awards for his work including the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library; the Eva L. Gordon Award, presented by the American Nature Society, for his contribution to children's science literature; and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction for the body of his work.
Description of Illustrations: This book was selected by the New York Times Book Review as one of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1989. The photographs in this book were taken by Ocean Images, Inc., Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Nicklin & Associates. Each photograph captures what the text is describing on the page to the right of it.
Access Features: Page with famous quote by Moby Dick, or The White Whale
How to use in classroom: I would use this book in science if I was discussing mammals. Students could use this book as an independent reader and make comparisons to humans.
Related text: Seymour Simon has written many books that could be used as a study on animals including books titled: Sharks, Snakes, Crocodiles and Alligators, and Big Cats.
My Response: This was an easy reading and informative book. It is one that I would want to use in my classroom. Even though my students are just beginning to learn to read, I feel that it is one that they would not struggle with. I feel that they would enjoy it as well.
2 comments:
The writing in Whales is a good model for descriptive writing. Simon compares the whale and parts of the whale in ways that children can really understand.
The photographs could definitely generate many questions that students could pursue in personal inquiries. Whales are such interesting creatures--they almost rival dinosaurs in their curiosity-invoking properties!
I read the Seymour Simon book titled Horses. I loved all of the background knowledge. My students loved this book because the pictures are large and colorful, and it is an easy book to simply read for enjoyment. I am a definite fan of the author now, and I plan to get this book to add to my ocean unit.
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