Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Chronicle Books, 2009 ISBN: 0811868664
This story begins in the clouds, which are mostly made up of air and water (invisible things), and “specks,” which we can see. These specks can be particles of soil, ash, or soot, pollen grains, or even living bacteria. Under the right conditions, water vapor sticks to a “speck” and sticks, forming an icy shell. As more and more layers of vapor stick to the speck, it grows in size until it forms a small ball of ice. This ball of ice eventually turns into a “hexagon-shaped ice crystal,” which grows until is becomes a beautiful, unique snow crystal.
The snow Crystal can be star-shaped, plate-shaped, or column-shaped, and like humans, leaves, and flowers, no two are alike. When several crystals stick together, they form a snowflake.
Full of gorgeous pictures of real snowflakes, this wonderful nonfiction picture book will delight children who love the snow. It will also appeal to readers who have an interest in the weather and science. At the back of the book, there is a section that will teach readers “How to catch you own snow crystals.”
