Earth: Our planet in space, by Seymour Simon

Bibliographic Data
Simon, Seymour. 1984. Earth: Our planet in space. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 0-02-782830-1

Summary
Elements of astronomy, such as planet, sun, and atmosphere, are explained and accompanied by satellite imagery.

Critical Analysis
This book is appropriate for all elementary students. The explanations are simple, yet thorough, giving just enough information so children will have a basic understanding of the concepts. For example, the Earth’s atmosphere is compared to “a blanket of air around it that keeps it from getting it too hot or too cold.” Though the writing is a bit stilted, it isn’t dull, and the writing corresponds to the photos and diagrams present on every page.

Newer versions of this book include full color photographs, but the 1984 text with black and white photos is still incredible, and worthy of use in the classroom. Most of the photographs are from NASA, and include phases of the moon, the surface of the moon, and Earth from space. There are also images that show certain land formations and cities from space, to illustrate changes made by humans as well as by the Earth itself, through erosion and other natural occurrences.

Reviews
Seymour Simon’s books on science are universally praised for their ability to help students comprehend as well as for their stunning photography. While I couldn’t find a review specifically for this book, here are some reviews about Simon’s other books in the series.

“Seymour Simon's series of children's books on the planets, the sun and the stars reminds you of the old joke about childhood being too good to be wasted on kids.… The latest, URANUS, like its companions, is beautiful, evocative, neat, simple, informative. “ – Holcomb B. Noble, New York Times Book Review, February 7, 1988

"Seymour Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us to understand and appreciate our planet and our universe" —Kirkus Reviews

Connections
This book would be an excellent introduction to a 2nd or 3rd grade study of the solar system, used during read-aloud time, or kept in the classroom library. Even younger grades would benefit from perusing this book, perhaps with teacher guidance to paraphrase the more detailed descriptions.


*****
Kirkus Reviews quote retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.chroniclebooks.com/seemore/

Noble, H.B. (1988, February 7). Room enough for 50 Earths. The New York Times. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0DA153DF934A35751C0A96E948260&n=Top/Features/Books/Book%20Reviews