Planets Around the Sun

by Seymour Simon

A simple introduction to the nine planets of our solar system.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Space, Picture Books, Childrens, Astronomy

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

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

[Megan Hosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Grade Level: 1-3
This is a really good book about the planets in our solar system. I like how this book goes through each planet in the order of closest to the sun to farthest, and it gives a lot of interesting facts about each planet. I also liked how this book included information about Earth's moon, and even showed the different phases that the moon goes through. I think it was great how the book ended saying that there is still a lot about space that we don't know, and I think this could inspire kids to want to learn more and maybe even explore space themselves one day. Great book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some good, basic information about the planet in our solar system, that is easy to read and easy to understand.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seymour Simon has excellent non-fiction space books. A simple read that will undoubtedly lead to more questions! This book is ideal for 6 to 7 year olds.

[Hiba]

This book talks about the eight planets and it has some important facts about them. So there are 8 planets in our solar system, they are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The o 6 planets with the exception of Neptune and Uranus can hardly be seen and all 8 are visible with a small telescope or binoculars.The order of the planets from closest to the Sun to the farthest is; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and finally Neptune. The largest planet in the solar system is Jupiter, followed by Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Earth, Venus, Mars with the smallest is Mercury.

I also learned what are planets and what it's made of. A planet is a celestial body that is in orbit around the Sun. The smallest planet is Mercury and the largest is Jupiter. The coldest planet is Neptune and the hottest is Venus. I also learned that the inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars and the outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

I also learned some important facts more about the earth which I thought were interesting. Earth is the third planet from the Sun and it's the largest of the planets. The Earth is the only planet in our solar system not to be named after a Greek or Roman a god. The Earth was formed y 4.54 billion years ago and is the only planet who has life in it. I recommend this book to everyone because it's easy to read and it has some interesting facts.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to follow text and eye catching visuals. Target early elem to everyone

[Kaulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the books by Seymour Simon. Because they give you a lot of information about space, dinosaurs and much more. I like him very much!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

One star off for the dubious page about Pluto: "Some scientists think it is too small to be called a planet. But most people still call Pluto the ninth planet of our solar system."

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my son (who is 2) and he memorized pretty much the order of the planets. :)

[Karen Probus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. Planets and solar system

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this used last night. Unfortunately Pluto s still a planet. The text and photography are great however. I'm keeping it regardless.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great format, and my almost-three-year old loved it. Only drawback is that Pluto is still described as a planet.

Very accessible, hoping for an updated edition.