BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 2003. SPIDERS. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0439810795
PLOT SUMMARY
According to Seymour Simon there are about 35,000 different kinds of spiders, with more possibly waiting to be discovered. In this book, Simon looks at some of the common characteristics of spiders including coloration, web spinning styles, hunting techniques, and habitats. Simon also takes the time to include some fascinating details about several different kinds of spiders, such as the water spider living underwater in an air bubble or a jumping spider that can jump about 40 times the length of its own body.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
After describing the general characteristics of spiders, the text is generally organized around web building spiders and hunting spiders. Every page of text is accompanied by a full page photograph on the facing page that illustrates the corresponding content. The text page that discusses a spider’s eight eyes, for example, has an immensely magnified picture of a very hairy spider whose eight eyes are the size of pencil erasers. Inset photographs on text pages also complement the text and provide additional graphic details.
Simon’s style results in a book that, while informative, will capture the interest of its intended audience, school-age children. The tone is almost conversational and the vocabulary is generally age appropriate with any scientific words, such as pedipalps or chitin, explained within the text. Simon also includes examples to help put some concepts into a more easily understood context. For example, the statement that a jumping spider can jump 40 times its body length is explained by Simon as, “That would be like you jumping the length of two basketball courts and making a slam dunk.”
Although this book is intended for upper elementary or middle school students, younger children who are fascinated by spiders will enjoy having the book read to them.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
KIRKUS: “The creepy-crawly close-up photo of a hairy spider on the cover will have kids (and adults) saying "Yuck!" while they grab the book to look for more inside. As with other Simon photographic nonfiction, this presents information on spiders in easy, understandable prose.”
HORN BOOK: “This book's numerous color photos, often close-ups of spider species, are stunning and beautifully reproduced. Simon takes full advantage of these images, with excellent interactivity between text and photographs maximizing the informational format. The text is written in Simon's signature approach--straightforward, with conceptually rich explanations pitched to a child's level of understanding, and never simplistic.”
BOOKLIST: “The stunning cover may repulse squeamish arachnophobes, but fearless types will be fascinated by Simon's foray into the world of spiders. In his now familiar picture-book format that pairs incredible photographs with graceful, clear prose, Simon provides a wealth of information about different types of spiders, their characteristics, habits, and life cycles.”
CONNECTIONS
This book would be a good addition to a science unit on spiders.
Other books by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. SHARKS. ISBN 006087721X.
Simon, Seymour. HURRICANES. ISBN 0061170720.
Simon, Seymour. PENGUINS. ISBN 0060283963.
Other books about spiders:
Bishop, Nic. NIC BISHOP SPIDERS. ISBN 0439877563.
Hughes, Monica. SPIDERS. ISBN 1410906221.
Hall, Margaret. SPIDERS. ISBN 0736825616.
Simon, Seymour. 2003. SPIDERS. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0439810795
PLOT SUMMARY
According to Seymour Simon there are about 35,000 different kinds of spiders, with more possibly waiting to be discovered. In this book, Simon looks at some of the common characteristics of spiders including coloration, web spinning styles, hunting techniques, and habitats. Simon also takes the time to include some fascinating details about several different kinds of spiders, such as the water spider living underwater in an air bubble or a jumping spider that can jump about 40 times the length of its own body.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
After describing the general characteristics of spiders, the text is generally organized around web building spiders and hunting spiders. Every page of text is accompanied by a full page photograph on the facing page that illustrates the corresponding content. The text page that discusses a spider’s eight eyes, for example, has an immensely magnified picture of a very hairy spider whose eight eyes are the size of pencil erasers. Inset photographs on text pages also complement the text and provide additional graphic details.
Simon’s style results in a book that, while informative, will capture the interest of its intended audience, school-age children. The tone is almost conversational and the vocabulary is generally age appropriate with any scientific words, such as pedipalps or chitin, explained within the text. Simon also includes examples to help put some concepts into a more easily understood context. For example, the statement that a jumping spider can jump 40 times its body length is explained by Simon as, “That would be like you jumping the length of two basketball courts and making a slam dunk.”
Although this book is intended for upper elementary or middle school students, younger children who are fascinated by spiders will enjoy having the book read to them.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
KIRKUS: “The creepy-crawly close-up photo of a hairy spider on the cover will have kids (and adults) saying "Yuck!" while they grab the book to look for more inside. As with other Simon photographic nonfiction, this presents information on spiders in easy, understandable prose.”
HORN BOOK: “This book's numerous color photos, often close-ups of spider species, are stunning and beautifully reproduced. Simon takes full advantage of these images, with excellent interactivity between text and photographs maximizing the informational format. The text is written in Simon's signature approach--straightforward, with conceptually rich explanations pitched to a child's level of understanding, and never simplistic.”
BOOKLIST: “The stunning cover may repulse squeamish arachnophobes, but fearless types will be fascinated by Simon's foray into the world of spiders. In his now familiar picture-book format that pairs incredible photographs with graceful, clear prose, Simon provides a wealth of information about different types of spiders, their characteristics, habits, and life cycles.”
CONNECTIONS
This book would be a good addition to a science unit on spiders.
Other books by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. SHARKS. ISBN 006087721X.
Simon, Seymour. HURRICANES. ISBN 0061170720.
Simon, Seymour. PENGUINS. ISBN 0060283963.
Other books about spiders:
Bishop, Nic. NIC BISHOP SPIDERS. ISBN 0439877563.
Hughes, Monica. SPIDERS. ISBN 1410906221.
Hall, Margaret. SPIDERS. ISBN 0736825616.
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