Lightning by Seymour Simon

1. Bibliography:
Simon, Seymour. 1997. Lightning. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060884355
2. Plot Summary:
Seymour Simon explores the creation, dangers and different types of lightning and introduces the reader to several new discoveries scientists in the field have made. The photos provide visual stimulation as well as an in-depth look at the natural phenomenon of lightning.
3. Critical Analysis:
This 32 page informational text on lightning is presented through collection of brilliant photographs. Simon leads the reader on a natural progression of information, from the general exploration to well known and lesser known types of lightning. The stunning photos aid in Simon’s simple, yet information packed explanations. Comparisons, such as a single “flash of lightning is brighter than ten million one-hundred-watt lightbulbs”, help even the youngest readers understand the power of lightning.

4. Awards and/or Review Excerpts:
• From Booklist: “Simon's simple yet dramatic description of lightning as a "river of electricity rushing through an ocean of air" sets the tone for this excellent photo-essay. The subject is exciting, the information is amazing, and the full-color photographs are riveting, each spectacular picture more exciting than the last.”
• From Library School Journal: “Short, simple sentences make this topic accessible to younger readers but do not talk down to older report writers.”
5. Connections:
• Create an author display or complete an author study using many of Simon’s books.
• Create a display about weather. Many of Simon’s books such as Tornadoes , Storms and Hurricanes can be used as well as books by other authors. Gail Gibbons’ Weather Forecasting and Allan Fowler’s What’s The Weather Today are also good choices to include.
6. Personal Response:
I have always loved Seymour Simon and his photo essay non fiction books. When teaching at the elementary level, I always looked to see if he had a book on my current science topic and would often pull random books by Simon from the library to keep at student’s desks. Lightning is such a beautiful and dangerous phenomenon and this book provides lots of information and interesting facts that I kept shouting out to my husband. Now we both know a lot more about lightning!