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Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.

A video interview with

Seymour Simon

Seymour Simon

Kirkus Reviews called him the "dean of science writers." The Smithsonian Institution re-published 12 of his books. The National Science Teachers Association has named more than half of his books "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children." Through his ability to write about science in a way that is accurate, interesting, and accessible, Seymour Simon has earned his reputation as a trusted source of information for curious young minds across the country.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online or to download it. You can also read the interview transcript. You can also read a short biography of Seymour Simon or see a selected list of his children's books.

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For more information and options, please see the Podcasts & Videos section.

View online

  • Space Monsters (:41)

    At an early age, Seymour Simon was already dreaming about faraway places.

  • A junior scientist (1:30)

    As a curious young boy, Seymour Simon discovered many natural wonders within New York City.

  • Light years away (1:00)

    Simon explains how he uses analogies to make gigantic numbers comprehensible to young readers.

  • Einstein Anderson (1:18)

    Seymour Simon's fictionalized detective series teaches scientific principles through stories, puzzles, and jokes.

  • Choosing photographs (1:47)

    Seymour Simon explains how he chooses the photographs for his award-winning books.

  • Grandpa's book about trucks (:43)

    Sometimes kids grow up faster than a book can get published.

  • "I'm a sidewinder" (1:25)

    Seymour Simon explains why struggling readers are often attracted to his books.

‡ This video clip will appear in Windows Media Player, which most computers already have installed, or you can download it now. Macintosh users can download the free Flip4Mac playback file, which allows you to play Windows Media files in your Quicktime player.

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