Earth Science Weather

Close to the Wind

The Beaufort Scale
Author(s): 
Peter Malone
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
0399243992
Publisher: 
Putnam Juvenile
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Sometimes your casual pick-up-what-looks-good from the library hits jackpot--last week it was one of those instances for us. Close to the Wind by Peter Malone gets very close to being the picture book par excellence. In every aspect, this gem brings the very best of the world of picture books: beautiful, detail-rich illustrations, a captivating story, plenty of educational content, and great use of visual diagrams, side notes and explanatory illustrations. Good picture books, I am always exclaiming, are so helpful in the homeschool. What did we know about the Beaufort Scale before this find? Next to nil. Now, not only we learned about the useful scale that measures wind based on detailed observations, we also learned information on ship-building, sails, the life of sailors, curious entries in sailor's glossary, how many trees are cut down to build a ship, and the sad destiny of many ships after their many years of service.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-21-2008

Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll

Book cover: 'Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll'
Author(s): 
Franklyn M. Branley
Illustrator(s): 
True Kelley
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1999
Publisher: 
HarperTrophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This simple, nicely illustrated (cartoon-like pictures) children's book explains important concepts of science in a very easy-to-understand fashion. The reader is introduced to the way thunderclouds form and where thunder and lightning come from. The scientific content is substantial and very accessible. The story line is rounded out with tips for staying safe during a storm. My children have been fascinated by the details about the inside of a thundercloud, how fast sound and light travel, how you can measure the distance thunder travels and more. This title has been a big favorite with all of my children for a number of years and, rather than being made nervous by the dangers mentioned in the book, a little knowledge seems to be a comforting thing.

Additional notes: 

Copyrights 1985/1999

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-18-04

Lightning

Book cover: 'Lightning'
Author(s): 
Seymour Simon
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1997
Publisher: 
Morrow Books/Harper Collins
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Seymour Simon, famous for his children's science books illustrated with stunning photography, hits another home run with Lightning. This fascinating book details facts and fascinating statistics about lightning with lots of the "wow!" effect that helps keep middle-schoolers interested in science. Did you know that scientists have discovered new types of lightning within the past ten years? How long would the electricity from one bolt of lightning power one lightbulb? These and many more fascinating photos and facts await the reader of this very nice science book. I really like to have these kinds of books around my house to help my children get a lot more out of science than I did as a child.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-18-04

Storms

Book cover: 'Storms'
Author(s): 
Seymour Simon
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1989
Publisher: 
Morrow Books/Harper Collins
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Like Seymour Simon's book on Lightning, reviewed above, this text combines incredible photographs with very interesting text to introduce young readers to some basics of severe weather. The text concentrates on thunderstorms, lightning, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The statistics and little stories about these storms are weird and fascinating and you'll also find lots of solid scientific content.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-18-04