Herman Schneider, author of more than 80 books, mostly science books for children, has died in Boston. He was 98 and lived on Martha’s Vineyard.
Many of Mr. Schneider’s books were written with his wife, Nina, including “How Big is Big? From Stars to Atoms, a Yardstick for the Universe” (1946), “Let’s Look under the City: Water, Gas, Waste, Electricity, Telephone” (1950) and “Science Fun with a Flashlight” (1975).
Among the books he wrote by himself were “Everyday Machines and How They Work” (1950) and “How Scientists Find Out” (1976).
With his brother, Leo, he wrote “The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language” (1988).
Mr. Schneider, who died July 31, wrote in 1964 that good science-experiment books for children had “structure, organically related experiments and build up an understanding of science.” He said that bad ones, which he suggested were all too common, were “hodgepodges of science stunts.”
A Times review of his and his wife’s book “Science Fun with Milk Cartons” (1953) suggested that he did not totally rule out interesting stunts, provided they carried a strong educational message.
Mr. Schneider was born in Poland, the son of a tailor. The family emigrated to New York, and he graduated from what is now the City College of the City University of New York, where he also earned a master’s degree.
He taught in the New York City school system for 20 years and then for five years was the system’s science supervisor.
He also was a consultant on 52 filmstrips published by University Films Inc.
In 1978, his “Laser Light” (1976), was named the best science book for teenagers by the New York Academy of Sciences.
