Gorillas

Gorillas
by Seymour Simon


Bibliography

Simon, S. (2000). Gorillas (1st ed.). New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060891017 (paperback edition)

Summary

Seymour Simon’s photo essay, Gorillas, reveals in words and photographs interesting details about three types of gorillas, including where they live, what they look like and what they eat.  Family life, social habits, and behaviors common to all three types are also presented.  Simon closes with an explanation of the dangers gorillas face and preservation efforts made by humans on behalf of gorillas.

Critical Analysis

Simon, a trusted name in fun yet accurate science photo essays for children, succeeds again in Gorillas.  The fascinating text keeps you interested in turning pages; but with plenty of white space,  it is not overwhelming for the younger reader.  Vocabulary for the target group, certainly not too easy, provides an appropriate challenge worthy of children interested in scientific topics.

The pictures selected for this book and the layout of the text combine to make a pleasurable, readable book.  The photos complement the text, giving you a visual of what you are learning.  Clear, crisp, brightly colored close-ups put you right next to the gorillas, giving you the feeling that you are getting to know them through their expressions.

Overall, Simon provides and intriguing introduction to gorillas with enough information to satisfy a casual reader and to spur on those who would like to know more.

Review Excerpts

*Booklist, “...creates a striking, powerful impression. Good for browsing as well as reports”

*Kirkus, “...a fluently informative report...”

*Horn Book “...accurate portrayal of these gentle animals."

Connections

* Seymour Science is Seymour Simon’s blog.  He posts about once a month.

* Visit Seymour Simon’s website.  A great listing of all his books, categorized by topic, provides a quick way to find the perfect book needed for lots of science!  There is also a biography and an interview to browse.  The best bit is a page with links to non-commercial science pages!

*Here is a link to seven short video interview clips with Seymour Simon.  He talks about a wide variety of biographical, bibliographic and scientific topics.