Weather

Rich, rhythmic language combines with lush illustration to poetically describe the water cycle and more. This memorable volume will be read aloud -- and perhaps discussed as: "Thirsty air/licks it [water] from lakes/sips it from ponds/guzzles it from oceans..."

Sometimes being small can have its advantages. If you’re a little cloud like Cloudette, people call you cute nicknames, and you can always find a good spot to watch the fireworks. But what about when you want to do something big, like help a giant garden grow, or make a brook babble?

Residents of Chewandswallow were accustomed to their predictable weather which kept them in juice and mashed potatoes (and more) three times a day. That is, until the weather took a strange turn; foods falling not only got larger, but so did the portions!

Warm family stories of finding the joy in preparedness and resilience in four distinct weather emergencies (a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane) leave readers with the message: nature is powerful, but you are powerful, too.

The young narrator describes how she and her family each contribute to a handsome kite which they then enjoy flying. Signature illustrations show traditional Chinese kite designs combined with an author's note about kite history. The result is the celebration of an ebullient family tradition that readers may want to take up themselves!

Sam wants to go out but it’s pouring with rain, so he and Grandpa decide to stay inside until the rain stops. Sam drinks hot chocolate and reads his books and dreams of adventures while Grandpa gets on with his important paperwork. Grandpa seems to have a VERY important letter to write. Then that very important letter has to be posted, despite the rain and floods. As they finally go outside, Sam and Grandpa have a magical adventure.

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.

The wind blew, and blew, and blew! It blew so hard, it took everything with it: Mr. White’s umbrella, Priscilla’s balloon, the twins’ scarves, even the wig on the judge’s head. But just when the wind was about to carry everything out to sea, it changed its mind!

Lyrical language and handsome, realistic watercolors present water in its many forms, from liquid to snow. Water is also in things like mud and even apples. Additional information about the processes seen and further readings concludes this striking and informative look at water.

Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, offers readers a look at contemporary Cherokee life as she follows a family through the seasons of the year as they take part in ceremonies and festivals. The book opens, “Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles—daily, throughout the year….” 

Filled with stop-action and close-up photography, this book features images like a single snowflake and a falling drop of water, accompanied by introductions to such concepts as evaporation and condensation.

When Joanne Simpson, the first woman to receive a doctorate in meteorology, was a girl, she sailed her boat beneath the puffy white clouds of Cape Cod. As a pilot, she flew her plane so high, its wings almost touched them. And when World War II began, she was asked to teach Air Force officers about those very clouds and the weather-changing winds. As soon as the war ended, Joanne decided to seriously study the clouds she had grown to love so much, despite the derision of the men in academia.

Professor Groundhog opens a school so groundhogs can learn to accurately forecast the weather each February. Learn fun facts about different animals (groundhogs in particular), seasons, weather, and predicting the weather.

See how Vincent van Gogh used bright patches of paint to show the hot sun rising over a field; how Vasily Kandinsky blended many colors to evoke a rain-drenched landscape; how Édouard Manets’ vigorous lines create wind-filled sails; and how Paul Signac used tiny dots of paint to capture the aura of a city street blanketed with snow.

As the sky grays and the leaves swirl by in a "green blizzard," two young boys and their parents share a cozy supper by the fireplace. The next morning, the boys discover that a big elm tree now lies stretched across their neighbor's yard. The old tree becomes the vehicle that whisks the pair to adventure, as they explore exotic jungles, confront pirates on the high seas, and travel to the stars.

Imagine a force that can toss boats around like toys, wash away bridges, and create waves as high as 18 feet. With fierce winds and torrential rains, hurricanes can do all of these things. They can cause tremendous damage and even change the shape of a shoreline.

A cloud with a mind of her own and a gift for making awe-inspiring shapes encourages her friends to go beyond their practical functions and expand their imaginative horizons.

Count on Ms. Frizzle to teach anything but an ordinary lesson on meteorology. Flying through the clouds in the Magic School Bus, Ms. Frizzle's class experiences a hurricane-and even a tornado-firsthand.

In this retelling of the flood myth, young Pattan's amazing pumpkin grows big enough to save the plants and animals when the rains come.

Strong lines and narrative combine in this picture book biography of the Vermonter who figured out how to photograph real snowflakes. The dramatic drawings won illustrator Mary Azarian a Caldecott Medal.

When fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village was hit by a drought, everyone's crops began to fail. Without enough money for food, let alone school, William spent his days in the library, and figured out how to bring electricity to his village. Persevering against the odds, William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps, and thus became the local hero who harnessed the wind. This story will inspire many as it shows how, even in the worst of times, a great idea and a lot of hard work can still rock the world.

When a fog rolls into Icyland, it prevents Warble, a small yellow warbler, from enjoying his favorite pastime: human watching. No one else he talks with seems concerned about the growing fog until he meets the Red-hooded Spectacled Female, a young girl who has also noticed the growing fog. Warble and the girl take this weather seriously and team up to draw attention to the situation, taking the first and important step of raising awareness with others. Sharing this touching, funny title is sure to lead discussion about observing changes in our climate and the environment.

In the retelling of this Aesop fable, the wind, rain, and sun compete to make a shepherd take off her cap. The shepherd laughs off her cap with delight at the grass around her growing green thanks to the storm and sunshine, so it’s the earth that actually wins — in more ways than one! The artwork featuring collages made of torn paper and photographs vividly bring the dramatic weather elements to life and may inspire some readers the desire to pick up scissors and make their own collages.

In this tall tale, Thunder Rose vows to grow up to be more than just big and strong, and boy, does she ever! But when a whirling storm on a riotous rampage threatens, has Rose finally met her match?

One of nature’s most volatile weather events is the tornado. In this updated edition, the author presents the formation, tracking, and devastation created by twisters. Dramatic photographs and a brief list of additional resources conclude this fascinating book.

Award-winning nonfiction writer Gibbons clearly explains and illustrates four big weather concepts: temperature, air pressure, moisture, and wind. Kids will connect what they see outdoors with the information in this engaging book, and learn how to identify clouds or the types of wind and rain storms. The book ends with a page about curious weather facts.

Learn about all sorts of weather all over the world, from a regular rainy day to a hurricane, from fog to frost, from droughts to dewy mornings. With clever poems perfect for reading aloud and fact-filled backmatter, young readers can explore both everyday and once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomena.

Matthew Henson, an African American explorer, accompanied Robert Peary to the North Pole where together they placed a flag. The courage and perseverance of this remarkable man is revealed through his voice and luminous illustrations.