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Out of Sight
Here, in thirty-six amazing images, you can see the unseeable-the delicate splash from a falling drop of water, a gigantic nebula in distant space, and many other natural wonders. The astonishing photographs and fascinating explanations take readers on a fantastic voyage that is truly out of sight.
- GenresNonfictionPicture Books
48 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2002
20 people want to read
About the author
Seymour Simon
321 books128 followersSeymour 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 5, 2016
Title: Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds
Author: Seymore Simon
Illustrator: Seymore Simon
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Telescopes, Radiography, Vision, Microscopy, Senses and Sensation
Opening Line/sentence:
Introduction:
You can see so many different things around you. You use your eyes to see a tiny insect, or a star billions of miles away, or a rocket thundering off a launch pad.
Brief Book Summary:
The images in this book show a world undetected by just eyesight. By using machines like telescopes, various microscopes including SEM, and radiography, this book contains information about a world commonly not detected. The book ranges from microscopic photos of tapeworms to radioactive subatomic particles giving intriguing facts about each that inform the reader of the science behind and the purpose of these images. This book is very practical for introducing modern technology and different hidden worlds.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
George Ladd (National Science Teachers Association (NSTA))
Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds hardly needs to be read; the pictures alone tell the story of hidden worlds. The publication contains some 36 photographs of objects and events that cannot be seen by the naked eye because of their size, distance, or speed. The images include subatomic particles, white blood cells, and animal and human body parts. The reader is treated to seldom-seen views of Earth, from the splash of a rain drop to the oceans from space. The captions not only explain the photographs but also tell how the image was captured (microphotography, photoimagery, electron microscopy, fiber optic, CAT scan, tomogram, arteriogram, themogram, aerial photograph, or telescope). The photographs in Out of Sight: Hidden Worlds represent several disciplines and the full range of technology. The text is written in a friendly, instructive manner with an occasional introductory question or a bit of gee whiz phrasing. Because of space limitations (or perhaps to maintain the readers sense of wonder) the author did not attempt to go beyond introductory-level science or engineering. The work is best used by students in grades 7-9 as a source of inspiration for further research. It would also be a great supplement to a unit on microscopes, telescopes, or optics. The work is highly recommended, and the images will fascinate students and adults alike.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
KAT (specialist) (Appraisal, Spring 2001 (Vol. 34, No. 2))
At first glance, Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds, appears to be a book about outer space, but on further detail, it is a book about the hidden worlds right here on earth as well as outer space. The photography in this book is phenomenal. I read this book to second graders and the pictures fascinated them to want to know more. It also encouraged them to use their own imaginations to think about how things look. For example, what does a ladybug really look like close-up? The language of the books was a little difficult for them. Though. I feel the language and detailed description of the cameras used and the magnification systems would be difficult for any child under 12. I understand the need to explain how the images were captured, but the text is difficult and does not always flow smoothly. A reference at the end of the book or at the bottom of each picture would have been helpful. The reference could list where you could obtain more information, on for example, thermograms. This book is truly original and fascinating with its pictures of the microscopic world around us. From the thermogram pictures of the eye, to the high speed flash catches of the tennis ball on a racket, to the beautiful Hubble Space Telescope's pictures of star formation, this book urges you on to explore not the world you see, but the vast amazing world you cannot see.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I agree more so to the first review in the sense that this book calls the reader to wonder while gazing at these photos. This book’s language can be a bit too much for the younger reader, bit the images are still quite impressive. The inclusion of real life technology and science at a basic level is appreciated and leaves the reader not feeling overwhelmed or puzzled. The second review has a more negative tone as it points out how some of the vocabulary and machinery is not applicable to a younger reader. However I do agree that a glossary or appendix with more information might be helpful and encourage the reader to further research the images or technology.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is very factual and the language it is written in reflects that. It is filled with information and stays true to science terminology without “dumbing it down” yet it does make the occasional assumption that the reader is familiar with magnification and how some of the machines work. The organization of this book categorizes the images into groups of similar images for example a group of human anatomy images and a group of images from outer space. The images themselves are stunning. The details on the up-close images bring wonder to reader as every microscopic surface is revealed. Also the images of the human body help the reader learn about what is going inside them and how things are working. Because the photos are real, the reader gets the excitement of “This is real?!” instead of an illustration that might not capture the same effect. Each image is colorful highlighting various parts of the image and captivating the reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Science is one of the subjects that is commonly under-appreciated in the classroom simply because of the lack of knowledge about it. This is a great tool to cross literature and science within a lesson. The images in this book could open up a discussion about different kinds of tools scientists use and the different domains of science (astronomy, biology, anatomy, etc.). Also this might also be a great book to begin a lesson on magnification. I might talk about optics and how the eyes work and then talk about how there are things the eyes can’t see so we need tools to help us. This could then lead into a magnifying glass activity and if available, I might introduce pre-focused microscopes for the children to look into to see ordinary objects up close.
Author: Seymore Simon
Illustrator: Seymore Simon
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Telescopes, Radiography, Vision, Microscopy, Senses and Sensation
Opening Line/sentence:
Introduction:
You can see so many different things around you. You use your eyes to see a tiny insect, or a star billions of miles away, or a rocket thundering off a launch pad.
Brief Book Summary:
The images in this book show a world undetected by just eyesight. By using machines like telescopes, various microscopes including SEM, and radiography, this book contains information about a world commonly not detected. The book ranges from microscopic photos of tapeworms to radioactive subatomic particles giving intriguing facts about each that inform the reader of the science behind and the purpose of these images. This book is very practical for introducing modern technology and different hidden worlds.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
George Ladd (National Science Teachers Association (NSTA))
Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds hardly needs to be read; the pictures alone tell the story of hidden worlds. The publication contains some 36 photographs of objects and events that cannot be seen by the naked eye because of their size, distance, or speed. The images include subatomic particles, white blood cells, and animal and human body parts. The reader is treated to seldom-seen views of Earth, from the splash of a rain drop to the oceans from space. The captions not only explain the photographs but also tell how the image was captured (microphotography, photoimagery, electron microscopy, fiber optic, CAT scan, tomogram, arteriogram, themogram, aerial photograph, or telescope). The photographs in Out of Sight: Hidden Worlds represent several disciplines and the full range of technology. The text is written in a friendly, instructive manner with an occasional introductory question or a bit of gee whiz phrasing. Because of space limitations (or perhaps to maintain the readers sense of wonder) the author did not attempt to go beyond introductory-level science or engineering. The work is best used by students in grades 7-9 as a source of inspiration for further research. It would also be a great supplement to a unit on microscopes, telescopes, or optics. The work is highly recommended, and the images will fascinate students and adults alike.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
KAT (specialist) (Appraisal, Spring 2001 (Vol. 34, No. 2))
At first glance, Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds, appears to be a book about outer space, but on further detail, it is a book about the hidden worlds right here on earth as well as outer space. The photography in this book is phenomenal. I read this book to second graders and the pictures fascinated them to want to know more. It also encouraged them to use their own imaginations to think about how things look. For example, what does a ladybug really look like close-up? The language of the books was a little difficult for them. Though. I feel the language and detailed description of the cameras used and the magnification systems would be difficult for any child under 12. I understand the need to explain how the images were captured, but the text is difficult and does not always flow smoothly. A reference at the end of the book or at the bottom of each picture would have been helpful. The reference could list where you could obtain more information, on for example, thermograms. This book is truly original and fascinating with its pictures of the microscopic world around us. From the thermogram pictures of the eye, to the high speed flash catches of the tennis ball on a racket, to the beautiful Hubble Space Telescope's pictures of star formation, this book urges you on to explore not the world you see, but the vast amazing world you cannot see.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I agree more so to the first review in the sense that this book calls the reader to wonder while gazing at these photos. This book’s language can be a bit too much for the younger reader, bit the images are still quite impressive. The inclusion of real life technology and science at a basic level is appreciated and leaves the reader not feeling overwhelmed or puzzled. The second review has a more negative tone as it points out how some of the vocabulary and machinery is not applicable to a younger reader. However I do agree that a glossary or appendix with more information might be helpful and encourage the reader to further research the images or technology.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is very factual and the language it is written in reflects that. It is filled with information and stays true to science terminology without “dumbing it down” yet it does make the occasional assumption that the reader is familiar with magnification and how some of the machines work. The organization of this book categorizes the images into groups of similar images for example a group of human anatomy images and a group of images from outer space. The images themselves are stunning. The details on the up-close images bring wonder to reader as every microscopic surface is revealed. Also the images of the human body help the reader learn about what is going inside them and how things are working. Because the photos are real, the reader gets the excitement of “This is real?!” instead of an illustration that might not capture the same effect. Each image is colorful highlighting various parts of the image and captivating the reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Science is one of the subjects that is commonly under-appreciated in the classroom simply because of the lack of knowledge about it. This is a great tool to cross literature and science within a lesson. The images in this book could open up a discussion about different kinds of tools scientists use and the different domains of science (astronomy, biology, anatomy, etc.). Also this might also be a great book to begin a lesson on magnification. I might talk about optics and how the eyes work and then talk about how there are things the eyes can’t see so we need tools to help us. This could then lead into a magnifying glass activity and if available, I might introduce pre-focused microscopes for the children to look into to see ordinary objects up close.
June 16, 2021
Strong 7 out of 10
Really informative and interesting book.
It was a tad scary seeing how monstrous these little creatures look up close. To think that tons of these microscopic creatures live on you is a hard thought. By far my favorite Seymour Simon book.
Really informative and interesting book.
It was a tad scary seeing how monstrous these little creatures look up close. To think that tons of these microscopic creatures live on you is a hard thought. By far my favorite Seymour Simon book.
March 31, 2023
Fascinating! I’d love to see an updated version.
December 13, 2023
Amazing photographs -- I loved this one, and my kids loved it too.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews