Books in Smithsonian series

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.

Whales are among the biggest creatures that have ever lived on our planet. Some whales grow bigger than one hundred feet long and can weigh as much as fifty cars or more. They are huge, majestic creatures, yet we rarely even lay eyes on them. Now the acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution team up to bring you a brand-new edition of his classic text on one of the world's truly amazing animals. This book is perfect for budding young scientists.The original edition of whales was the first photo-essay book ever selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book!

Imagine the biggest thing you can think of—now imagine something bigger that hasn't even stopped growing. That is the universe. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, though enormous, is a tiny speck among the 100 billion galaxies containing nebulas, planets, "space pods," billions of stars, and black holes that fill the cosmos. New stars, planets, and galaxies continue to form as the universe expands. Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon brings you deep into the universe to explore this immense topic. 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.

Lightning strikes the earth more than a hundred times every second. It's bright and dramatic, but it happens so fast that we rarely get a chance to see it. Now celebrated children's science writer Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution give you an opportunity to take a closer look at lightning. Newly updated, and boasting vivid photographs and Simons classic writing, this brand-new edition of a science favorite provides clear explanations of what causes those bright flashes of light in a stormy sky.

Did you know that: Penguins are champion swimmers. They spend 75 percent of their lives in water. They are birds, but they can't fly. Penguins are classified as birds because they have feathers. Now you can explore a penguin's world by finding out how they can swim so fast, what they eat, and why people need to protect their habitats. Acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to take you on a journey to the Antarctic region for a close-up look at one of nature's most beloved and sociable animals.

It's nighttime. Opossum and her four babies waddle across a backyard, rummaging through trash cans for food. Suddenly a dog pops out of nowhere! Will Opossum be able to protect her young? Reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy, Opossum at Sycamore Road is a fun and informative story with beautifully detailed illustrations. Watch your children have a blast reading and learning about the animals that live in an American backyard!Book Features:- An informative storyline and colorful illustrations- Appropriate for ages 3-9- Hardcover dimensions: 12 x 8 3/4 inches

Penguins certainly are a different bird! They spend seventy-five percent of their lives in water and they can′t even fly! Penguins are classified as birds because they have feathers. So explore a penguin′s world by finding out how they can swim so fast, what they eat, and how people need to help protect their habitats. Includes: o Smithsonian mission statement o Glossary o Index o Website and additional reading sources o Series thumbnails on back panel Ages: 5 - 9

Leaving her babies sheltered in a warm blanket of leaves, hungry Cottontail ventures into the backyard to nibble on clover. While feeding, she encounters another rabbit and the two leap and play together. Reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy, Cottontail at Clover Crescent is a fun and informative story with beautifully detailed illustrations. Watch your children have a blast reading and learning about the animals that live in an American backyard!Book Features:- An informative storyline and colorful illustrations- Appropriate for ages 3-9- Paperback dimensions: 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches

Smithsonian Readers: World of Wonder Level 3 continues children’s journeys to becoming lifelong readers with new and engaging content and more challenging texts. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, World of Wonder Level 3 contains six 32-page topics for engaged readers looking to learn more about the world around them: Ancient Egypt, Wild Weather, Rain Forest Animals, The United States, The Planet, and Sharks. Children can also practice their reading skills and share their newfound knowledge with the included 36 topical fact cards.Level 3: Engaged Readers-Interesting factual and informational text that contains new and unfamiliar content-Includes glossary to reinforce reading comprehension-Repetition of longer sentence patterns with variation of placement of subjects, verbs, and adjectives-Most of the vocabulary should be familiar to first graders-Introduction of more complex spelling patterns and letter-sound relationships-Photos, illustrations, and diagrams are included for further concept exploration

Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2 provides accessible and engaging content designed to encourage further progress in children’s reading abilities. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Seriously Amazing Level 2 encourages development in readers with unfamiliar vocabulary terms, new phonic structures, and more variation in sentence patterns. Seriously Amazing Level 2 contains six 32-page topics, chosen for their appeal to developing readers: Nighttime Animals, Sea Life, Dinosaurs, Solar System, Baby Animals, and the Human Body. Thirty-six perforated fact cards extend the learning and reading practice.Level 2: Developing Readers-Simple factual texts with mostly familiar themes and content-Concepts in text are supported by images-Includes glossary to reinforce reading comprehension-Repetition of basic sentence structure with variation of placement of subjects, verbs, and adjectives-Mostly easy vocabulary familiar to kindergarteners and first graders-Introduction to new phonic structures-Integration of contractions, possessives, compound sentences, and some three-syllable words

Friendly and fascinating, dolphins are one of nature's most intelligent animals. They live in families called pods and can make a series of 2,000 high-pitched clicks to locate fish in the water. Despite their beauty and playfulness, dolphins face serious dangers from commercial fishing and human activity. It's vital that people support governmental laws to protect these wonderful creatures.Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to give you an expert view of these clever, curious, and mischievous mammals in a full-color photographic introduction.