KILLER WHALES by Seymour Simon Book Review

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simon, Seymour. 2002. KILLER WHALES. San Francisco, CA: SeaStar Books. ISBN 1587171422

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The killer whale is an animal that both intimidates and fascinates many people. In this easy reader, Simon introduces readers to the basic facts about killer whales. The orca, the name scientists use for the killer whale, is not a fish because “it does not have gills to help it breathe.” By using comparisons such as the female orca is as “long as an ambulance” or the male orca weighs as much “as two elephants”, the reader will have an easier time remembering basic killer whale facts. Whether it’s learning about what killer whales eat, where they live, how big they are or their family habits, this book will provide the basic information needed to begin research on this animal.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The simple style and design of this book allows young readers the opportunity to learn on their own. Although there is not a table of contents or an index, the book consists of double page spreads for each new topic introduced. For each new page, there is also a double page photograph to support the text. Children will enjoy looking at actual photographs of the killer whale in its natural environment. The simple text is written in large print with only a few lines per page, thus enabling young readers to be successful. The contrast of white letters on the dark pages or black letters on the light backgrounds helps the text become easily visible. Seymour Simon does acknowledge use of the photographs, but there is not proof of accreditation for the text.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “Simple sentences with easy-to-read phrases present an overview of these topics for beginning readers. Information is presented in just two or three sentences per page, and the large font size will make the books attractive to emerging readers. Simon's writing is clear and straightforward.”

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY REVIEW: “With brief, accessible text, engaging topics and a perforated page of collectible cards Seymour Simon's See More Reader series will rope in even the most reluctant readers.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Children can create a web with the killer whale as the topic in the center. Using information learned in the book, children can answer questions about the killer whale such as its eating habits, hunting habits and family style.

*Using the information learned from this book, students can conduct a mock expert interview. One student can be the host, creating questions about killer whales. The other student could be the expert, answering the questions based on what they learned from reading this book.

*Other books by Seymour Simon:

Simon, Seymour. ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES. ISBN 1587170809

Simon, Seymour. AMAZING BATS. ISBN 1587172615

Simon, Seymour. COOL CARS. ISBN 1587172372