Nonfiction/Biography Review - Animals Nobody Loves By Seymour Simon

Bibliography
Simon, S. 2001. Animals Nobody Loves. New York: SeaStar Books. ISBN 1587170809

Plot Summary
Seymour Simon illustrates twenty animals that are not likely to be found curled up on any of our laps. From the depths of the ocean to the soaring blue skies, Simon delivers scientific information accompanied by startling imagery on animals that are not likely near and dear to us.
Cockroaches, Gila monsters, and devil rays are nothing you would ever want to pet, but Seymour Simon opens our minds to understand how these creatures live amongst us all.

Critical Analysis
Seymour Simon is widely known for his series books dealing with science. Animals Nobody Loves is filled with facts and details about some of the world’s creepiest and most hideous inhabitants. Seymour offers advice to the reader if they ever encounter one of these dreadful animals. “But even after a man-of-war is dead, the tentacles may still sting people who pick them up or stumble upon them in the sand.” This book can be used a real-life survival guide if ever confronted with a giant grizzly bear or a diminutive spider. Simon also dispels ugly rumors about certain animals. Just because they are not easy on the eyes, does not always mean they are out to harm you. “Bats do not attack people…most bats can be helpful to us, because they eat insect pests such as mosquitoes.” It appears that Simon is attempting to lend a hand to the animals who acquire a poor reputation based solely on their outward appearance.

What grabs the attention of the reader are the striking pictures that Seymour Simon provides. His over the top photos, such as a hyena savagely tearing through a carcass, leave the reader with resounding “ewe.” Simon portrays the fearsome animals with scientific information, accompanied by disturbingly detailed pictures. As the reader turns the pages, the frightening shot of a rattlesnake renders one speechless. Simon’s up-close and personal image of an open-mouthed snake in the attack mode shows the intricate details that comprise the snake’s poison-filled anatomy. An explicit photograph of a piranha strikes fear in the reader as they flip to this page. It feels as if the enlarged teeth would pierce the reader’s flesh if accidently touched. Simon’s amplification of pictures creates a very prominent “gross” factor. Simon’s photo of a fire ant is particularly alarming. The engorged picture of the insect becomes almost cat-sized on the book’s pages. The fire ant’s eyes, texture and body segments are frankly revealed while sending chills up the reader’s spine. While there are no references cited, people of all ages will appreciate Seymour Simon’s use of scientific fact mixed with larger-than-life imagery.

Review Excerpts
Booklist
“The pictures are fine, large, and in full color, as fascinating as they are repulsive and scary: the yawning jaws of a shark; a hyena consuming bloody food; a wasp enlarged bigger than a human fist, stinging a grasshopper.”
Kirkus Reviews
“…Simon seldom notes the value of these disliked animals. For example, vultures and hyenas are extremely useful decomposers. While the eyeballs-to-eyeballs cover of a tarantula in full color will keep readers reaching for the title, it is useful for browsing rather than research.”

Connections
Students can create their own books of animals and insects that are not on the top of the cuddle list. Within the books, students can incorporate scientific information and their own drawings of these creatures. Sources should be cited in their books in order to prove accuracy.
Additional recommended books:
Stars by Seymour Simon
ISBN-10: 0060890010
Bones: Our Skeletal System by Seymour Simon
ISBN 0688177212
Weather by Seymour Simon
ISBN 0060884398