Seymour Simon (author)
Seymour Simon is an American writer of children's books; he is primarily a science writer.
Biography
Simon was born in New York City. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and the City College of New York. A science teacher for 23 years, he began writing for children in the early 1960s.Simon is the world's most prolific writer of science books for younger children, with more than 250 titles listed in Books in Print and more than a dozen original e-books. He also writes fiction and created the series Einstein Anderson, Science Geek. He is a founder and director of the digital publishing company StarWalk Kids Media.
Simon's books encourage children to engage in activities to discover scientific principles, using household materials. For example, Let's Try It Out With Towers and Bridges asks, "What keeps trees from falling over? How do skyscrapers stand so tall? What makes a bridge strong? Let's try it out!" and shows children how to build a sturdy tower of blocks, create a solid foundation with clay, and make a paper bridge span short and long distances without falling
His books are frequent selections in the National Science Teachers Association's Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students.
Simon visits schools and talks to students and teachers, because it is contact with children, teachers, and librarians that has made him one of their favorite writers. "I haven't really given up teaching", says Simon, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing."
Personal life
He has three children and four grandchildren, and resides in Hudson Valley, New York. He is currently married to Liz Nealon, the CEO of StarWalk Kids Media and an award-winning producer and former creative director of the Sesame Street spinoff Children's Television Workshop.Awards and honors
Simon has received many awards and honors for his work.- 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
- The 2002 Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Educational Paperback Association
- 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
- The New Jersey Reading Association 2003 Book Award for 'Out Of Sight'
August 2, 1999 was a day of recognition for Seymour Simon in Green Bay, Wisconsin, "who has engaged the mind of countless school children, with clear, thoughtful, thorough explanations, from crocodiles to the cosmos. We proclaim that Seymour Simon has done more than any other author to help us understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and universe."