Animal Fact/Animal Fable

by Seymour Simon

Humorous illustrations reveal the truth about common beliefs about animals, such as a cat having nine lives, a bull getting angry when he sees red, or a raccoon washing.

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

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

[BrookeC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny illustrations with facts about different animals

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this even though it was originally published in 1979.

The presentation emphasizes the scientific method in several ways. For example, in the introduction, it says "scientists think." And in revealing that it's a fable that cats have nine lives, it almost says 'duh, *observe* for yourself that when a cat is dead it's really dead.' Of course Simon is much more tactful, but he does make the point that unbiased observation is a key part of good science.

The format, as it has the reader predict 'fact or fable' before turning the page, engages the reader and will encourage her to remember the information. And the illustrations are also delightfully amusing and memorable.

If only it had notes or something, and wasn't quite so old, I'd give it the full five stars. But I do hope you all get a chance to read it. Even if you don't have families... even I learned things I didn't know!

[Alexis Caudill · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Animal Fact/Animal Fable is an interesting book. It states common sayings about different animals and it discusses whether it is a fact of a fable. It is a great book with great illustrations.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a great book for students in the 3rd through 5th grade. It is very easy to read and very interesting. I loved it.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would use this book during the reading part of the class.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students interested in random facts would absolutely love this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I do not think I would use this book in small groups.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I think it would be fun to read this book aloud to the class and have them guess which statements are facts and which are fables.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Look Out for Turtles! (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Melvin Berger
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are no multimedia connections to this book.

[Kathryn Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction about pets. I love how the students can guess as you read a loud and then see if they are correct. This is a great book that helps the readers to understand fact verse fiction. It contains lots of factual information and is a great classroom keeper. Could appear confusing because in general fish can't climb trees, but a mudskipper can! Also, I love the realistic images.

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful pictures and good facts and exposed fables. I even learned something about crickets and owls.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome! There were a couple of thing in here that I didn't know about. I think it's kind of cool for kids to be able to see the facts versus the fable. The format is also kind of fun because the reader can try to guess if the fable is true or false before seeing the answer.