Penguins

by Seymour Simon

Did you know Now you can explore a penguin's world by finding out how they can swim so fast, what they eat, and why people need to protect their habitats. Acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to take you on a journey to the Antarctic region for a close-up look at one of nature's most beloved and sociable animals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Picture Books, Science, Biology, Childrens

31 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

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).

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, where he lives with his wife Liz Nealon.

You can follow Seymour on Facebook and on Twitter, as well as on his website, which offers free, downloadable Teacher Guides to his books for educators, parents and homeschoolers, as well as the popular Seymour Science Daily Blo

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truth be told, I have most definitely found the tone of narrational voice in Seymour Simon’s 2009 (and first published in 2007) science picture book Penguins to at times feel more than a trifle frustratingly patronising. And as such, although I do think that with regard to its factual contents Penguins certainly does provide a basic yet sufficiently thorough introduction to all things penguins for children from about the age of six to nine/ten years of age (replete with interesting details and accompanying photographs that are both visually appealing and educationally interesting) I also very much, very strongly and unfortunately do tend to consider that the author, that Seymour Simon is textually often kind of annoyingly talking down to his readers. For indeed, is it actually necessary for Seymour Simon to rather prominently and arrogantly (in my opinion) point out that penguins are not fish but birds and that birds lay eggs, as really and in my opinion, most children reading Penguins or having it read to them will most likely already be well aware of this and having this all spoon fed to them as though they were really totally lacking in basically all knowledge, well if this were I and if I were a child of about six/seven or and even more so if a bit older, sorry, but the tone of Seymour Simon’s textual voice with regard to Penguins and that he kind of majorly assumes a lot of ignorance from his intended audience, I for one do feel this is all majorly denigrating and even insulting.

And most certainly, not even the fact that Seymour Simon does provide very much information on penguins and that he also has included a short but decent bibliography featuring both websites and books can make me consider more than two stars for Penguins (as the paternalistic author arrogance encountered in Penguins sure is personally annoying and frustrating and that I also am finding it majorly lacking and frustrating that Seymour Simon has once again not included in Penguins any details on how penguins have evolved, how they likely developed and changed from their dinosaur ancestors to the seabirds we know today).

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prolific Seymour Simon offers young readers a look at a variety of species of penguins in this visually-full title. Physical characteristics, life cycles, mating habits, feeding, and danger from predators, weather changes, and pollution are all discussed in well-organized, simple text. Each spread features large, eye-catching, crisp, color photographs. Young readers will appreciate Simon’s straightforward style, and a glossary, index, and bibliography for further reading make this title a useful, if limited, resource for upper elementary student research.

[Reva Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This book has adequate information about penguins. This book includes any information from how penguins reproduce, what they eat, how they interact with other penguins, and even what eats penguins. The book also introduces the different types of species of penguins. The book shows pictures and talks about six different species. It also explains throughout the book that penguins are birds, because they have feathers.
Evaluation: I rated this book at a 3. Although this book has a lot of information about penguins, the author fails to credit the sources that he pulled this information from. The book does have a lot of very interesting graphics and very easy-to-read sentences for children. Also, the large text instantly attracts children to it.
Teaching Idea: I think this book would be a very fun and interesting book for students to learn about classifying animals. There are many different concepts in classifying this animal because it challenges students to think about whether a penguin is a mammal, while also thinking about the fact that a penguin is also considered a bird and a fish, because they spend time on both land and water.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book about penguins has a lot of useful info and some neat pictures but I kind of felt like it wasn't very well organized. The information could have been broken up more (with sections, subheadings, captions) that would have made the text more manageable to kids. I felt like it was a lot of words and then a picture with little explanation. If this is geared towards adults then I think it's a fine book but I worry that kids (who are more likely to read this) might struggle with the vocabulary.

[Noor Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will teach the reader EVERYTHING they need to know about penguins. instead of illustrations, the book has photographs of each type of penguin and it also explains how penguins live their life and what animals could be a threat to them. It teaches students about what a penguin is exactly explaining that it isn't a fish nor is it a mammal but it is in fact a bird that just cannot fly and instead swims and also each species of a penguin. Being an older person and reading this book this taught me a lot more about penguins than I have ever known so it's extremely informative not only about what penguins do but threats from their environment and also climate change is

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good overview of the lives of penguins, focusing on the Antarctic penguins, but also briefly touching on penguins who live outside Antarctica. The writing style is very straightforward, if somewhat uninspired, but with enough information for a student who has to do a report. Simon covers penguin anatomy, their lives on land and sea, and mating and raising of chicks, as well as predators of penguins and environmental hazards. Emperor, king, and gentoo penguins each get their own page. Macaroni / rockhopper and adelie / chinstrap penguins share a page. More penguin species are briefly mentioned on another page. The book ends with a glossary, index, and short bibliography.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative with beautiful photos. Used for first grade teaching, but would easily be able to stretch for more use in higher elementary grades.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice supplemental resource for children interested in specific animals.

Q2021 book.

[Matt Kowalchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic book about penguins. Straight to the point, but definitely nothing that is anything a more older audience (above 10) don’t already know about their favourite birds 🐧

[Kristin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This book, by Seymour Simon, is about the lives of Penguins. Throughout this book, readers are able to find out what penguins eat, how fast they swim, why their habitats need protecting and more.

Evaluation: Even though I gave this book a three, it is very informational for its readers. It also contains real life images of penguins and their habitat.

Teaching Idea: This book could be read when talking about ecosystems and their involvement with global warming, pollution, habitats, tourisms, etc.
This book would be great to introduce penguins' habitats, way of life, food they eat, etc. Students could be given a graphic organizer that they fill out.

[Gabrielle Pulito]

Title: Penguins
Author: Seymour Simon
Illustrator:
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Way of Life, Survival , Variety
Opening line/sentence: Penguins are champion swimmers and divers.
Brief Book Summary: This nonfiction book describes the life of a penguin. From where they live, what they eat, how they reproduce, and the dangers they encounter. This book is a photographic essay that discussed every quick fact you would need to know about penguins and their way of life.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Kirkus Reviews
Striking color photographs, often filling a page or more, distinguish this addition to the extensive literature about penguins. Six different species are shown close up and in their natural habitat. The well-organized text describes where these appealing birds live; how they walk, feed and swim; their mating and chick-rearing; and predators, before going on to distinguish among the species and summarize modern threats. Direct references to the pictures on the facing page make this content easy for the youngest reader or listener to follow, although they may be confused by the statement that Gentoo penguins' orange bill "sets them apart from other penguins" when the species illustrated before and after that page are also shown with orange bills. The author of more than 200 books for young readers, Simon packs a great deal of information into his relatively simple, smooth writing. There is no map but the end matter includes a glossary, index and suggestions for further reading, including websites about penguins and the Smithsonian, as well as other titles by the author. (Nonfiction. 4-7)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Publishers Weekly
With brief, accessible text, engaging topics and a perforated page of collectible cards Seymour Simon's See More Reader series will rope in even the most reluctant readers. According to Danger! Earthquake, "most of the world's earthquakes happen in a zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire." A map of the world highlights the hot spots. Bulldozers, dump trucks and offshore oil rigs get their due in Giant Machines. Additional offerings include Wild Bears; Killer Whales; and Planets Around the Sun. (Apr.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The first review discusses the striking color photographs and how the book discussed extensive literature about penguins. They also state that the direct reference of words to the picture makes the book easy to read and to follow. The second review states that there is brief and accessible text which ropes in even reluctant readers. This reviewer also suggests the other books by Simon, such as Wild Bears and Killer Whales.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This photographic essay displays an extensive amount of real pictures showing a variety of penguins and their way of life. The pictures match up with the texts therefore the readers understands what the picture is of and the facts that it portrays. The pictures take up a full page and even sometimes carry over to the other side to create emphasis and perspective of quality or danger. The book also devotes pages to different kinds of penguins and then show a matching picture to the description.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Students can use this book to discuss environments and animal habitats around the world. This can be connected to a science lesson. After reading this book, student can be asked to reach another aquatic animal and do an individual or group presentation on their animals and the different kinds (if there are any) and how they eat, reproduce, fight off danger etc.

[Olivia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot Summary: The Smithsonian presents highly qualified and factual filled books paired with real images that invite children to keep explore the animal world. ‘Penguins’ written by Seymour Simon highlights the main characteristics, habitats, behaviors, and fun facts about penguins. It introduces multiple species of penguins such as the king penguin, gentoo penguin, and macaroni penguin and addresses their different behaviors like their mating styles. It also includes a subject index and kid-friendly glossary in the back for the kids to reference. The real life photos capture the reader's attention and allow most children to see a different environment from which they live. By reading this story, we can start to understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and the animals that live in it.

Literary Merit: I believe this book lends itself to the merit of accuracy because of the accredited institution who published it, the Smithsonian, and the author itself. The author displays factual information throughout the book that has sources to reference the information. It gives the reader an in-depth look at Penguins and provides accurate information such as the kinds of penguins, their behaviors, and characteristics. The text and factual information is also up-to date, having references just within the last couple of years.

Classroom Connection: What kid doesn’t love penguins, especially children who have seen the popular kid movie ‘Happy Feet.’ (I still watch it as an adult) I would choose to pair this book with a fiction story and a short clip of the movie to entice the children into learning more about penguins. Since penguins are in many movies, zoos, and are a common ‘favorite animal’, all children should have some background knowledge. After reading a fiction book such as ‘Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups’ or 'Tacky the Penguin' by Helen Lester, I would move on to the nonfiction Penguin book. Since the nonfiction book includes different penguins and their differing characteristics, we could then draw our own penguins and classify them on a classroom chart. While the kids are classifying the characteristics of different penguins, I would encourage them to use the Data Chart graphic organizer to make it easier for them. The kids would need to pay special attention while I’m reading, but I would also invite them to explore the book after I’m done reading. Afterwards, it invites the discussion into the difference between a nonfiction and fiction book as well. I could also have prepared other nonfiction books on penguins and links to National Geographic Kids for the students to explore further.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seymour Simon is a very notable informational book author and Penguins accurately displays his talent. This book is very authentic and accurate. The text is accompanied with full page photographs that increase the readers' interest in the topic. Readers can learn a great range of information about Penguins from this text while enjoying real photographs. I have used this text during our study of penguins when I taught second grade and I found this book to be a great resource that is factual and that created enthusiasm with my young readers.

[Jessie Jang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book had a lot of information on penguins. Also I like the way the book had bold print words. Then the book gives the definition on the bold printed words. Also I like the question the book asks. I also like the real life picture that they have of each of the animals.
Learning Experience
I would give each child to be a penguin and I have them jump from one block to another like the penguins do in cold so they could know what feels like to be a penguin. Also have them waddle and walk like penguin and what it feels like.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

32 pgs. Excellent book! All Seymour Simon's books are full of wonderful facts and information. The photographs are large and stunning. A great glossary with additional information is helpful at the end of the book. There is also a list of websites and books on the last page for further reading. Loved it! Highly recommended for Gr. K-5, but probably is a Gr. 4-5 reading level. Well-organized and layouts are very pretty.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I thought I knew a lot about penguins...but did you know that emperor penguins can grow to be four feet tall and weigh 100 pounds? Let me put that another way: an emperor penguin is the size of a FOURTH GRADER...and they weigh as much as a seventh grader. That is terrifying! And so cool!

I will be looking for more Smithsonian series books in the future.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things I learned:
There are 17 species of penguins.
They have solid bones to help them stay underwater.
Adult penguins have no natural enemies on land.
An emperor is bigger than a king.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2370

[Noah B]

i like penguin so i like this book.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent resource for my classroom study of Antarctica and Penguins - Seymour Simon is a prolific author of non-fiction for children.

[Jenny]

This is a great informational text to include in a classroom library. I think all of Seymour Simons books would be good to have in a class. This one talked about many different penguins that I had never heard about.