Crocodiles & Alligators

by Seymour Simon

Join award-winning science writer Seymour Simon in this picture book introduction to some of the world’s fiercest reptiles: crocodiles and alligators! This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Crocodiles and alligators may seem ferocious and scary, but renowned science author Seymour Simon confirms that they're also endlessly fascinating. Around since the time of dinosaurs, crocodiles and alligators eat without chewing, have three eyelids, and provide good living conditions for other animals.

Simon explores the wonders of these stealthy giants in an exciting up-close and personal way.

With clear, simple text and stunning full-color photographs, readers will learn all about these unique animals in this informative picture book.

Perfect for young scientists’ school reports, this book supports the Common Core State Standards.

Check out these other Seymour Simon books about animals:


Big Cats
Butterflies
Cats
Dogs
Dolphins
Frogs
Gorillas
Horses
Insects
Penguins
Sea Creatures
Sharks
Snakes
Spiders
Whales
Wild Babies
Wolves

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 1999

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

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing creatures who are greatly misunderstood.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information is an easy to read format with lots of pictures!

[Last Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How Doth the Little Crocodile---"

Written for younger children, this interesting little book should be just the ticket for the budding Naturalist in your family. From the first page to the last the young reader is treated to picture after picture of alligators and crocodiles in a variety of settings, that will introduce them to these strange and unusual animals. Where did these scaly reptiles get there names anyway? How do you tell the difference between crocodiles and alligators? Where in the world are they found? The clear, entertaining, text explains all this and more in a way that should thrill both young and old alike. The pictures of crocodile family life should catch young eyes; like a new hatchling and the parent carrying it to safety in her mouth. The book's odd size (9.5x11.5) could be a problem for the younger reader so a little help from mom or pop may be in order. I think books like this, with lots of pictures and engaging text, are just the thing to get children started on a life long interest in nature and animals of all kinds. If the natural world has any chance of surviving our, out of control, population growth it's with the younger generation and fostering, in them, a love for all animals and the world they live in is more important now than ever before.

Last Ranger

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appealing photos and great information for upper elementary students seem at odds with the large size, which some students may see as babyish.

[Zak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was cool because the facts were so amazing!

[Douglas Adams]

The book teaches about alligators and crocrodiles.

[Eric Shea]

This book informs readers about the facts of alligators and crocodiles

[Andrew Weil]

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