Wolves

by Seymour Simon

Wolves are much more than big, bad animals that prey on other animals. Did you know that wolves Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to give you the real story about this mythical and legendary animal in an updated edition of his classic full-color photographic introduction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Science, Nature, Childrens, Wolves

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous full-page color photographs of wolves are the highlight of this picture book about wolves.

The information in the narrative shows how wolves are misperceived as dangerous to humans and discusses the efforts to repopulate wolves in national parks and elsewhere in the wild.

[Gwenyth Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for what it is. A very basic intro to wolves, most likely for younger learners.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures, good info, wish it had an index.

Simon's opening paragraph made me to reconsider my general outlook on wolves. Why do most people respect lions as hunters but downgrade wolves as villains---especially in folklore? Something to think on. I love when a book gives you that!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos. Good info on wolves and ppl interacting with nature

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

11/5/25: This is a beautiful book, the pictures are just fantastic. I'm pretty positive it is one that I purchased from Scholastic for my oldest when she was obsessed with wolves. It is from the 1990s. Everything in it is still valid except for the last page that talks about the "possibility" of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone park. I will keep this book for the grandchild to see if they are interested and/or need it for school as there is a ton of very useful, good information. I know kids don't research this way any more, but they just might like seeing the pictures as well. Anyway, good book.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since I was a kid, and I look forward to the day I can pass it down to kids of my own. This really is a great book for parents to read with their children. I say "with" because while anyone can appreciate the gorgeous photographs included, parents may need to help their child understand some of the science parts. I absolutely mean that in the best way. The science is basic, but still concise & thorough, and I truly believe that books such as this one can be important learning tools for children. And, as it did for me, hopefully it will light the spark for wanting to learn more about the natural world around them.

[Becky McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great non-fiction book to read to my 3rd graders as we practiced creating summaries for non-fiction books. Quite a few students had a lot of background information about wolves, so it was fun to read a book that had even more information: specifically information about different types of wolves.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

very detailed with great accompanying pictures. I have a niece that will love this. it doesn't sugar coat so it might not be for all kids.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic intro to wolves, with decent pictures.

[Emily Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

o Grades k-3
o Informational
o This book was very easy to understand and is full of life and interesting facts. I actually learned a lot from this book.

[Sydney Matejik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title (italicize): Wolves
Author: Seymour Simon
Illustrator (if separate from author):
Genre: Photo Essay
Theme(s): Animals, Evolution, Nature, Family, Survival
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “Imagine snow falling silently in the great woodlands of North America”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): Seymour Simon’s photo essay describes the evolution of wolves in nature and our human society. The history, types, and survival methods of wolves are written alongside exquisite photography. The day to day life of a wolf and how their families function is fascinating to any reader of this non fiction piece.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste): Dr. Martin LaBar (Science Books and Films (Vol. 30, No. 3)) This little volume should dispel most of the false notions about being afraid of big bad wolves. It covers the basics of wolf behavior and reproduction and the varieties and species of wolves. Within the limits of the 14 unnumbered pages of text, each with about 12 lines, the book covers these topics very well. Its greatest strength, however, is the illustrations, which are simply stunning. Except for one that is a little larger than a page and one that is smaller, all are full-page color photographs, each presenting one or more wolves illustrating a topic covered on the facing page. The book should be a popular addition to libraries serving juveniles as well as adults. Even professional biologists might want to sneak a look at the photos occasionally. Highly Recommended, Grades 3-8. 1993, HarperCollins Children's, 32pp., $16.00. Ages 8 to 14.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins ([New York?]:), PUBLISHED: c1993.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste): Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Oct. 1, 1993 (Vol. 90, No. 3)) As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any way detracting from the fierce beauty of the wolves' wild nature. Category: For the Young. 1993, HarperCollins, $16 and $15.89. Gr. 2-4.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins ([New York?]:), PUBLISHED: c1993.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): Both reviewers make note of the straightforward, simple text. However, they both also review the remarkable photographs that accompany the plain text making it worth the read. I agree with the reviewers that the focus is on the photographs in this informational text. They review that the beauty of the wolves is appropriate for juveniles looking for a visual and readers of all ages.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words): The photos that accompany the text in this book are the standout literary element. They exemplify what the text is describing and provide an accurate representation of the endangered species. The author acknowledges that the background of the reader may be slim and often provides parentheses explaining the technical terms used in the text.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): This book would be a great addition to my classroom to promote literacy in science. This text would serve as a guide for students to study an animal of their interest and provide real photos. I would use this text as a model for my students and then have them choose another animal photo essay of Simon’s to study.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book with breathtaking photography. Everything Simon does is great.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Wolves, Seymour Simon reveals the facts about one of nature’s most misunderstood and maligned animals, the wolf. While there is no record of a wolf ever killing a human in North American, folk tales often portray wolves as either "big and bad" or as cunning swindlers. As Simon notes, "by learning about the wolf and how it lives in the natural world, we can begin to tell the difference between the real animal and the fables we’ve created." To achieve this goal, Simon discusses the personality, behavior, and mating and breeding patterns of wolves, as well as the communal nature of wolf packs. The varieties of wolf breeds, where they live, the beasts that they hunt and eat, the sounds that they make, and the activities that they engage in (hunting, running, and playing) are also discussed.

This book can be classified as a science/nature picture book. It focuses on a singular topic and delves into a moderate amount of detail, providing a general overview for the young reader. In order to discuss an entire species in a short amount of text, Simon makes use of lists. For example, wolves’ fur may be of various colors, "from white to black, through shades and mixtures of cream, gray, brown, and red." In just a few words, the author is able to create a myriad of sensory images in the reader’s brain. Simon also uses comparisons to help relate the characteristics of wolves to animals that children may be more familiar with, such as dogs, lions, and humans.

"Wolves, like humans, are very adaptable to different climates and surroundings…Wolves can live in forests, grasslands, mountains, and swamps, even in the frozen, treeless tundras of the far north."
By comparing the unfamiliar (wolves) with the familiar (humans), Simon takes advantage of a child’s own experiences and knowledge to make learning new concepts less overwhelming.

Large, full-color photographs add to the book’s appeal and highlight important concepts within the text. A picture of a wolf gnawing on a moose’s horn is presented opposite a page of text discussing the types of teeth found in a wolf’s mouth. The reader can clearly see the different varieties and shapes of teeth in the wolf’s mouth as he works them against the horn. The photographs also highlight the subspecies of wolves discussed in the text, including red wolves, timber wolves, and tundra wolves. The listing of the types of wolves in the text does not give the reader a clear picture of the physiological differences between them. It takes the visual aid of photography to make these unfamiliar beasts spring to life for the reader.

Overall, Simon does a good job of presenting factual information without talking down to his audience or anthropomorphizing the wolves. However, the inclusion of a bibliography or a list for further reading would have made the book’s accuracy more verifiable and would have encouraged children to learn more if they so desired. Although older children will enjoy this book, its highly visual nature and simplicity of design will make it especially appealing to the younger child.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my first goodreads book report I decided to read Wolves by Seymour Simon, I chose this genre because it is one I have never been interested in unless I am doing some sort of research project or report. When I was back home for the holidays my little sister mentioned she has found a new love for wolves so I thought it would be neat if I bought this for my class and then gave it to her. It was a good book and I am excited to give it to her. The book describes the lives of wolves and what they go through in their lifetime. Wolves are misunderstood and people are usually afraid of them because they do not know much about them. They are animals with bad reputations but have the same characteristics other animals are admired for. They are loyal like dogs and have been known to become loyal if they were raised by people. They are also playful with each other in the pack and they and are the most intelligent animals in nature. The author compares wolves with dogs and lions, two animals that are usually respected and have better reputations than wolves. Simon compares wolves to things (dogs, lions, humans) we understand and know more about in order to relate their characteristics. He explains that all dogs are descended from wolves that were domesticated more than ten thousand years ago, I enjoy that Simon does not make us fear wolves but gives wonderful insight on their life. The author described wildlife scenes in a way that brought the audience in and created an image in our minds, beginning with the first paragraph I was pulled in. Most of the information was brand new to me and a lot of the facts were shocking, the one that got me thinking was “there is no record of a healthy wolf ever trying to kill a human in North America” because it either means that all killings that have occurred are from sick animals or I am not too sure what this means but it is something I would like to know more about. The book also has amazing pictures that are appealing and they correspond with the text. I also enjoyed that on more than one page Simon reminds us of the degree that the wolf population has fallen. He finishes the book with a quote by Henry David Thoreau “in wilderness is the preservation of the world” just to remind us that the fate of the wolf is on us and we must continue to share the Earth with wild animals.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolves are very unique in my eyes but in Seymour Simons eyes he see's life and happiness. He watch's the animal and look's at there life from there prospective for a example they book Wolves he describes they white snow falling on your there faces. He tells the readers about how loyal the are to there members in the pack. How tacks the time to sit a watch these magnificent animals. Seymour has a gift a gift to tell use humans about animals.



Wolves are like dogs but wild. There has been manny fairytales about Wolves attacking people I am not saying they haven't but they won't hunt you down. The Wolves in the wild are very loyal to their pack. Wolves are also very used to different climates like use humans. Some wolves are different colors compared to others. Wolves may look different and sound different but the belong to the same species, called canis lupis ( Canis stands for dog and Lupis stands for wolf). Wolves can run for miles none stop. They Hunt moose,elk and other large pray. Some people think they run on the bottom of their feet but they really run on their tippy toes. Wolves are the largest members of the dog family. Wolves are amazing at hearing because they can hear a Wolf or wolves howling from 4 to 3 miles away. Wolves live in packs and play pretty roorfly. They can have 2 to 3 or to 23 in a pack. They hunt all together. When Wolves howly the lift there nosey to the air and let out a high piched nose. Alpha Wolves are the leaders of the pack and protect the pack. Before the mother has her babies her or the male digs a deep hole to keep the babies in to protect them. About Two weeks after the birth the pups come out of the dan.
200 years ago there was a big population of Wolves but for the past few years they have been captured and killed so the population has really dyed down.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes all you want to know about wolves and their day to day lives. You will read how they live together in families and help each other with gathering food and even baby-sitting each other’s cubs! You will be relieved to learn that on a cold night when you hear their loud howls they can be up to six miles away. This book has beautiful photography!

I learned a lot from this book! I learned how the wolves baby sit each others cubs. I also liked that they help each other out by bringing food to each other. I wouldn't get this book for any child under say 6 or 7.

[Terry]

This book has beautiful photography! It is a fascinating book, and I learned a lot: wolves babysit each others' cubs, and help out by bringing food to each other. I was surprised that my daughter was so interested. Clearly, the author did a great job keeping the readers' attention. He left us wanting to learn more.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked learning all about wolves. If wolves are starting to chase and the stop and stare at something, it means they are getting ready for the chase. My favorite illustration is on page 11. It is the black wolf standing in the snow. He eyes are light brown and he is staring, but it doesn't say what he is staring at.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces to children how wolves are raised, what they eat, how they survive, and much much more. This was a good non-fiction text to help children understand the lives of wolves and would be good to use on an animal study, or the study of different kinds of families.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book today and
learned that wolves are so
much similar to dogs and coyotes.

[Cws]

J5997Sim

[Deserie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the photographs in this text. Found a lead with a series of questions. Yay!

[Karen Probus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos. Excellent information. Great read aloud over time

[Erikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book.

[Brooke Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book taught me about wolves and what they do. It also taught me that wolves all look diffrent

[Enisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awsome I love wolves!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book on wolves. I learned a lot just reading this to my son. He is really hoping that we can see a wolf someday.

[Carlos Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

es un libro muy bueno

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Lots of good information.

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a good book because it gives lots of information and is short so it would be good for little kids who like wolfs.