Destination: Space

by Seymour Simon

The Sun is just one of trillions of stars, and it's not even a big one. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is so incredibly huge that it contains billions of stars bigger and brighter and older than the Sun. And outer space contains billions of galaxies. Now, acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon explores the vastness of the solar system, our galaxy, and beyond!  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. Seymour Simon knows how to explain science to kids and make it fun. He was a teacher for more than twenty years, has written more than 250 books, and has won multiple awards. This book includes an author's note, glossary, and index and supports the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards.

Genres: Science, Space, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 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

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool and interesting. It says age 5-9 but based on my nieces, I don’t think this is for that level. Maybe if they’re a very smart kid it could be for that age.

There is a lot to learn from the book and it’s interesting to see the pictures that the Hubble telescope has taken. I think it would’ve been more beneficial to a child to label the parts of the picture than having a giant picture on one side and a page full of text on the other side.

Giving 3 stars because of the educational value.

[Shahd Rdawi]

Cool info about our space, starts and galaxy. Just some pictures hadn’t been clear with so much zoom in

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely but could already use an update!

Q2021 book

[Rania]

The non-fiction science book that I read is Destination, Space written by Seymour Simon. This book talks about a Hubble Space Telescope, the most advanced telescope ever built. With the beginning of space shuttle flight in the 1980s. Nasa builds the telescope so that it could be launched by the shuttle and services in Space. But unfortunately, in 2004 Nasa decided to end the Hubble Space Telescope. The Hubble Space Telescope was making 5,800 trips around our planet each year. More than the other Telescope. Hubble Space Telescope discovers many things like the black holes, that help us to see where new planets and new stars are born. Hubble Space Telescope has taken many photos of plane our Solar System one of them was Mars, Saturn, and stars Called 47 Tucanae. Hubble Space Telescope discover the Saturn's aurora displays are caused by a solar wind that sweeps over the planet. Earth’s aurora, sometimes called the Northern or Southern light, is similar to Saturn’s aurora. The ring is mostly made of water ice, some as small as you finger, and other as big a house, that whirl around Saturn like swarms of tiny moons. Although it looks as if there are only a few rings, there actually are thousands of smaller ringlets. As one can see the Hubble Space Telescope discover many things.

I think that my friends will be interested to read this book because it's interesting to know that because of the Hubble Space Telescope we could know lo of thing. The reader knows that this book is a nonfiction book because the Destination, space it's a really subjects and nonfiction means a real story, that is the opposite of a fiction book. The five facts that I learn are 1. Hubble Space Telescope 2. The Hubble Space Telescope was making 5,800 trips around our planet each year. 3. Saturn’s aurora 4. what rings are made of 3. 47 Tucanae. 5. the black holes.

I recommend this book to people that love space, and I also recommend this book to people that want to know how do we get pictures from space. I recommend this book to all middle school because it's very interesting. My favorite part was that The Hubble Space Telescope was making 5,800 trips around our planet each year. More than the other Telescope. That it's a lot, and it took many spectaculars pictures. My least favorite part was in 2004 Nasa decided to end the Hubble Space Telescope. That is sad because the Hubble Space Telescope took many pictures, and it discovered many things.

[Cheryl Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Informational
2. Summary: In this visually impressive book, Simon writes in great detail about the Hubble Space Telescope and it has been used for many years to capture the most stunning views in our galaxy.
3. Critique
a. Design and illustrations
b. The design of this book is sure to engage even the youngest of readers. Fascinating illustrations of discoveries found in space are revealed with the turn of each page. Each illustration is explained in several descriptive paragraphs to help readers understand what the illustration entails and why it is important. The format of the photos and text are clear and appealing.
c. For example, an astonishing illustration of a “butterfly” nebula is displayed showing the darkness of space and beautifully array of colors that streak across the galaxy. To the left of the illustration are two paragraphs that provide readers with interesting information about the nebula.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book would work perfect with a science lesson on the outer space. Kids of all ages will be drawn to the books captivating illustrations and detailed explanation of each discovery made in space.

[Ellen Shackley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Informational

Summary: This book documents the different sights that one would see if they were traveling through outer space. It uses and explains various real-life images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

A. Area of Focus: Illustrations

B. The illustrations in this book are actual real-life photos that were taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The images used are the best way to show students what is really in outer space.

C. For example, page 11 shows a picture of Eta Carinae which is a supergiant star that would be very hard to envision without an actual picture. This picture allows the reader to really appreciate the wonders that in outer space.

Curriculum Connection: I would use this book in a Science lesson on outer space so that students can gain a clear picture of something that could otherwise be difficult for them to imagine.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book if filled with big colorful real pictures of planets and stars. It features pictures of planets up close so you are actually able to see what they look like. This is great for explaining the different climates and the different surfaces of the planets. The children are able describe what they see and make educated guesses on what they think it may feel like. I wold use this book in the art center placed at child level so they can get ideas to draw space. It has A LOT of information in this book but would need to be cut down so pre-k children could understand and grow off their basic concept.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

H-bomb has been asking a lot about stars ("not planets--STARS") so I picked up a couple of "for kids" astronomy books from the library for him. This was one of them.

Not heavy science, but heavy for a three-year-old; it's doable in a single sitting but might be tough for a bed-time attention span. Pictures are marvelous and the accompanying text is equally marvelous (even if I feel like an idiot in front of The Boy as a bumble my way through "Eta Carinae").

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very COOL pictures again. This one talks a lot about the Hubble Space Telescope.

[z.diddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked to learn about space.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures with simple and easy to understand explanations for kids. My 6 year old LOVED it!

[Michelle Tempted By Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent pictures and explanations. A great book of Hubble Space Telescope pictures and details for kids or adults who just want a really quick read.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 58890 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 6.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[David]

Is good

[Ollie Durbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh found it read it

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12883880