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Sydney & Simon
Sydney & Simon: To the Moon!
Eager to win a chance to meet a real-life astronaut, twin mice Sydney and Simon use STEAM thinking to create the best science project about the Moon
The chance to meet astronaut Kris Kornfield is a dream come true for twins Sydney and Simon. But first they have to come up with the most creative project about the Earth’s moon. While Sydney’s work is all about the art, and Simon’s is all about the data, neither seems creative enough to win the prize. But when they put their heads together, they incorporate S.T.E.A.M. thinking (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and come up with a winning idea.
The third installment in the Sydney & Simon series, this kid-friendly story makes science concepts accessible and exciting.
The chance to meet astronaut Kris Kornfield is a dream come true for twins Sydney and Simon. But first they have to come up with the most creative project about the Earth’s moon. While Sydney’s work is all about the art, and Simon’s is all about the data, neither seems creative enough to win the prize. But when they put their heads together, they incorporate S.T.E.A.M. thinking (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and come up with a winning idea.
The third installment in the Sydney & Simon series, this kid-friendly story makes science concepts accessible and exciting.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 24, 2019
Sydney and Simon each create separate lunar-related science projects, but then discover that Sydney needs some of Simon's research and Simon needs some of Sydney's creativity. So the mouse twins collaborate on a new project that best utilizes both their talents. But they don't get their teacher's permission to work together, and it's not clear if the elementary school's contest rules allow for team projects. The story incorporates facts about the moon and there is a glossary in the back of the book.
August 8, 2017
S.T.E.A.M. concepts are becoming a major part of many school's curriculum. And with good reason. Teaching children to combine subjects in thinking about problems helps them develop brain connections as well as integrating creativity. In this third book in the Sydeny & Simon series, the Reynolds twins use their own S.T.E.A.M. skills to share the power in working together using science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to create something great. This is clearly a book intended to teach but that doesn't make it less enjoyable, which is rare for a teaching book. The darling illustrations compliment the fun word play and information in the text to create a story that's both fun and educational. This would be a great book to use to introduce the S.T.E.A.M. ways of thinking and working to younger children, plus there are some great ideas for projects as well.
September 21, 2017
Twins Sydney & Simon are working on their own to create a big project about the moon. The winner of the classroom STEAM project will get to meet a famous astronaut. Sydney has the creative part down, while Simon is good at research. After working alone, they realize their project will have much more impact if they combine what they’re both good to complete the assignment.
Sydney & Simon: To the Moon! adds to the popular series by Paul A. Reynolds for readers aged 6 to 9 with a story about creating art, scientific research, and the benefits of working together to meld the two. Many schools focus on STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, as a way to help kids learn about important topics. Sydney and Simon show how that can actually work. Sydney’s art project doesn’t help anyone learn about the moon. Simon’s facts about the phases of the moon are dry and uninteresting. But once they collaborate, they find a way to effectively communicate.
As the story unfolds, young readers also learn about the moon, and they may become inspired to make observations of their own. With the help of a parent, they can track moon phases throughout a month just like Simon does. There’s also a list of items kids can use to make their own telescope at home. Although it would have been helpful to provide instructions to go with the list, parents who want to do this activity with their children can find them online. (Here are some from National Geographic Kids.)
Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds are colorful and cute, depicting family and classroom life in a way that will resonate with young readers. A glossary of terms at the end is helpful, and a note from the author and illustrator (twin brothers) about the benefits of STEAM learning is inspiring.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sydney & Simon: To the Moon! adds to the popular series by Paul A. Reynolds for readers aged 6 to 9 with a story about creating art, scientific research, and the benefits of working together to meld the two. Many schools focus on STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, as a way to help kids learn about important topics. Sydney and Simon show how that can actually work. Sydney’s art project doesn’t help anyone learn about the moon. Simon’s facts about the phases of the moon are dry and uninteresting. But once they collaborate, they find a way to effectively communicate.
As the story unfolds, young readers also learn about the moon, and they may become inspired to make observations of their own. With the help of a parent, they can track moon phases throughout a month just like Simon does. There’s also a list of items kids can use to make their own telescope at home. Although it would have been helpful to provide instructions to go with the list, parents who want to do this activity with their children can find them online. (Here are some from National Geographic Kids.)
Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds are colorful and cute, depicting family and classroom life in a way that will resonate with young readers. A glossary of terms at the end is helpful, and a note from the author and illustrator (twin brothers) about the benefits of STEAM learning is inspiring.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2020
Twin sister and brother, Sydney and Simon, are entering a STEAM competition about the moon. The winner will get to meet a famous astronaut. Sydney is so consumed with the desire to win, she determines to do her own thing and won't tell Simon. Simon reluctantly figures out his own project too. But Sydney's project seems to lack background research and Simon's needs a boost of creativity. Can they figure out a way to make their projects better and more likely to win?
It seems fitting that twin author and illustrator brothers collabed on this series featuring twins. I like how educational this book is about the phases of the moon without ever seeming educational. There's also a good lesson about teamwork and knowing your strengths and weaknesses. I thought at first that this would be an easy reader since it is the typical size of a leveled reader, but there's quite a bit of text in this slim book and several chapters. It is fully illustrated in color, though, too. So it feels like a good balance of text and illustrations for a lower grade reader comfortable in chapter books. Recommended for STEAM classes, curious kids, and readers who like sibling stories.
It seems fitting that twin author and illustrator brothers collabed on this series featuring twins. I like how educational this book is about the phases of the moon without ever seeming educational. There's also a good lesson about teamwork and knowing your strengths and weaknesses. I thought at first that this would be an easy reader since it is the typical size of a leveled reader, but there's quite a bit of text in this slim book and several chapters. It is fully illustrated in color, though, too. So it feels like a good balance of text and illustrations for a lower grade reader comfortable in chapter books. Recommended for STEAM classes, curious kids, and readers who like sibling stories.
December 10, 2017
Summary/Classroom Integration: Twins Sydney & Simon are in a schoolwide contest to develop a creative project about the Earth's moon. Each decides to create something on his/her own--Simon with facts and observations, and Sydney with her creativity. The book shares the importance of collaborating, listening to another's ideas and combining inspirations. I would consider including this book in a text set about S.T.E.A.M and outer space, for kids who like math and/or science, or as a fun read aloud. The amount of pictures also makes it a simpler chapter book for those who need to transition into bigger chapter books.
May 23, 2019
5/22/19 Read with Julia
August 10, 2021
My Favourite Part -
When Sydney made the 3D moon model.
When Sydney made the 3D moon model.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2020
Twins Sydney and Simon are both working on a moon project to enter into a STEAM project. While learning about Galileo, they both realize their projects are shortsighted, so they decide to team up. This way even if they don't WIN, at least they can tWIN.
Felt a little unexciting to me, but I really liked the art.
Felt a little unexciting to me, but I really liked the art.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews