SEYMOUR SIMON'S BOOK OF TRAINS

Simon, Seymour. Seymour Simon's Book of Trains. Singapore: Harper Collins Publishers, 2002. ISBN 0060284757

Seymour Simon's Book of Trains is a photo essay informational book with beautiful full color photographs.  In this photo essay, Seymour Simon explores various types of trains, train parts, and their uses.  He begins taking the reader back in time to when the train was invented: "About two hundred years ago, people and then horses were used to pull trains" (Simon, 2002).  From steam trains, electric trains, and steam locomotives to freight trains, boxcars, and gondolas, this photo essay is stocked full of information.  Each page includes an eye catching full color photograph, some full shot and others close up, showing details and the beauty of each train described.  

The book is organized in a very clear sequence, beginning with the history of the train and then moving toward present day trains and transportation.  Each page has a subheading that stands out with a different type font, different color, and bolder than the text on the page.  The subheadings will help the younger reader, which the book is intended for, pick and choose the information he or she needs.  I was a little disappointed to not see a table of contents, but the subheadings on the page do prove to be helpful.  

The appearance of the book is very attractive and young readers will be in awe of the photographs depicting the various types of trains and their cars.  The style of the book is very well done and appealing to the younger audience.  Simon uses appropriate vocabulary for the audience, but does not use such simple words that the child does not learn new vocabulary.  As you read through all the amazing train facts in the book, you can perceive that Seymour Simon is passionate about trains.  

The photographs used throughout the book are credited on page 2.

About the Author:

Seymour Simon is the author over 200 nonfiction books written for young people.  He is a well respected author who has won numerous awards, and he even has a day named after him in Houston Texas.  June 29th is "Seymour Simon Day".  You can visit him on the web at www.seymoursimon.com .

Reviews for Seymour Simon's Book of Trains

"Even preschoolers will be drawn in by the large, abundant photographs. Another winner from a popular author."

~School Library Journal

 "Simon captures the combination of technology and romantic adventure that gives these machines their enduring appeal."

 ~ALA Booklist

 "Young trainiacs rejoice…Big machinery has never looked better."

~Kirklist Reviews

Click here to read what a 7 year old says about Seymour Simon's book, Extreme Ocean (2013).

Awards for Seymour Simon

Seymour Simon has won four lifetime achievement awards, along with numerous awards for his individual books.  

•    The New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature

•    The Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library

•    The Eva L. Gordon Award, presented by the American Nature Society, for his contribution to children's science literature

•    The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction for the body of his work

•    Lifetime Achievement Award in Science Literature from Children from American Association for the Advancement of Science

•    Kansas Reading Association 2001 Picture Book Award

•    1992 National Forum on Children's Science Books Lifetime Achievement Commendation

•    New York Time's One of the Years Best Illustrated Children's Books, Certificate of Excellence

More Books By Seymour Simon

Bridges. Chronicle Books, 2012.  ISBN:  1587172649

Cool Cars. Scholastic, 2003.  ISBN: 0439560969

Giant Machines. SeeStar, 2002.  ISBN: 1587171279

Coral Reefs.  Harper Collins, 2013.  ISBN: 0061914967

*Information about the author from the author's website, www.seymoursimon.com.