Library Media Connection
Each book has fullcolor pages with photographs and a few diagrams showing weather concepts. Many of the pages ask the reader a question, some of which are answered on the following pages, others ask the reader to draw on their experience and preferences. There are notebook insets with attentioncatching facts and boxes with a fact related to the photograph and/or a question. A Science Lab page suggests a followup activity that children can do independently. Links on the publisher's website lead to outside sources, though some are for older children. However, there is a great deal of information at the site, including crossword puzzles and experiments that would be especially helpful when using the series with multiage classrooms. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Recommended.
NSTA Recommends
This series of five Weather Wise books is designed for the beginning reader, grades 2 and 3. The topics covered in the series are designed to excite young readers and draw them into topics that are scientifically accurate and relevant. Each book is short enough (24 pages) to be easily mastered by the targeted grade level reader. The authors seem to take pains to use interesting photos to draw the reader into the information. New terms are presented but are described very well in the context. There is also a section called Science Words where a pronunciation guide and definition are provided to help the reader and a parent or teacher who might be helping to read the material. There are also a few supplemental materials provided from an Index, a Read More books list, and a Learn More Online section, along with a short About the Author paragraph. For an early elementary teacher, this series of five books would provide a good set of classroom science materials. A school media center could also benefit from having this set available. The actual look and feel of the material might also make it relevant for students in the upper grades for whom reading might be a struggle. The books do not have a childish feel and could be considered high interest. Certainly the set of books deal with topics that are widely discussed and included in most curricula, like weather, climate, rain, snow, and hail.
School Library Journal
This solid series is a commendable approach to weather studies, meeting early elementary standards for science education. The pleasing photos (illustrating the smallest water droplet to the largest puffy white cloud) and colorful format will hold readers' interest. The descriptive narrations are punctuated with text boxes and interactive questions that prompt students to hypothesize, assimilate facts, observe, conclude, and experiment. Each installment encourages scientific inquiry in a fun way and includes a Science Lab activity. On rare occasions, word definitions are vague, e.g., gas is defined in the glossary as a form of matter that spreads out to fill all the space of whatever it is in. But in sum, this series is credible and creative.
The Horn Book Guide
These brief books emphasize the hydrological component of weather in simple, clear prose. Captioned photographs and drawings are bright and appropriate; each book includes a question for the reader and a Science Lab exercise.
