Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Scholastic Atlas of weather
Nonfiction
For ages 8 to 12
Scholastic, 2004 ISBN: 978-0439419024
Sometimes we forget that the Earth's weather is created as a result of many different forces acting in conjunction. Weather is created not just because of the position of the Earth in relation to the sun, nor is it created just because of changes in the Earth?s atmosphere. Instead it is a combination of these which produces the rain, winds, snow, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and other weather forms which affect our lives.
The writers of this excellent book begin my describing how the Earth's position in relation to the sun affects our planet; readers will be able to see why we have the seasons. Next readers will take a tour of the Earth's atmosphere and from there they will get to explore all the different elements that make up our weather: wind, precipitation, cloud, and temperature.
After this there is a section which describes what happens "When weather runs wild." Of course readers will be particularly attracted to this section as they get to read about tornados, floods, snowstorms, hurricanes, and other weather driven events which we often hear about on the news.
The next section discusses how other factors can influence the weather. These include the eruption of volcanoes and man made pollution.
Finally the authors discuss how meteorologists predict our weather and what kinds of tools they use to make their predictions more accurate.
At the back of the book the authors have included a section of weather related facts and a section of activities which readers of all ages will enjoy trying.
Packed with annotated diagrams, photographs, illustrations, and maps, this atlas will both entertain and educate children who have an interest in the world?s weather.
