Wild Weather!

 

Severe weather pictures from the midwest?  Not exactly, as the third picture shows (you can see the Statue of Liberty to the left): these are scenes from Monday night’s surprise hailstorm and the double-tornado thunderboomer that tore through Brooklyn and Queens on September 16.

This recent spate of wild weather (and we’re not done yet, as a nor’easter is forecast for later today into tomorrow) has caught the attention of this armchair meteorologist.  And, naturally, these events bring to mind some great books on the theme of impressive meteorological phenomena.

Lively illustrations and appropriate sound effects highlight this tale of a farm family as it scurries to prepare for and experiences a sudden thunderstorm.  After the weather clears, they discover that the storm has left them a little gift.  A natural for reading aloud, the story is ideal for kids who are afraid of the noisy, wild weather events.  Ages 5-8

What happens when a tornado races through the farm and sweeps up Farmer Brown and all his animals?  Find out in this delightfully silly story that’s sure to keep young (and not-so-young) readers and listeners laughing.  Ages 4-8

The weather is so hot, even the flowers are pulling themselves out of the ground to find some shade.  A young Kansas girl is determined to do something about it: she plants iceberg lettuce to make the air cooler, for example.  The expressive illustrations are a perfect match to the wackiness of the story.  Ages 5-9

12-year-old Dan and his best friend, Arthur, don’t pay much attention when a tornado watch is issued.  After all, this is Grand Island, Nebraska, where such alerts are a regular event.  But as evening approaches, it becomes clear that this is the real thing.  And to make matters worse, Dan’s parents are not home, and it is up to the two friends to ensure their safety and that of Dan’s baby brother.  After a twister streaks through, the boys feel they have seen the worst of the storm and begin trying to locate their families–only to be stunned by the ferocity of the tempest.  Based on a real event, this novel will keep readers riveted until the last page.  Ages 9-12

This beautifully-illustrated collection of verses by poets from around the world is a celebration of what is special about the season.  Ages 4-10

Happy reading!

Happy October! (Part 2)

Two more great books for fall…

Riley’s tribute to autumn is illuminated by Glenna Lang’s brilliant, expressive art work.  Since many contemporary children may not be familiar with some of the words (such as “medder” for “meadow”), a useful appendix adds clarity to the catchy rhyme.  Ages 5-8

This book is such a treasure, it’s almost a shame to limit its enjoyment to one season!  Two young boys delight in the abundance of leaves falling from the trees, and proceed to watch, catch, and frolic in them.  But they don’t stop there: the brothers label some and create funny pictures with others.  As a bonus, the last page illustrates the changes in leaves from spring through winter.  Simple text and bright collage illustrations make this a perfect choice for reading aloud.  Ages 3-7

Peg Kehret and her magic pen have created another masterpiece.  Fifth-grader Julie is a normal kid: she is involved with school, friends, and running for student council.  Her nine-year-old brother Frankie is a bit of a pain: he devises one scheme after another, which invariably gets Julie in trouble with their parents, because she is older.  As a school assignment, Julie corresponds with her 89-year-old pen pal, a resident of a local nursing home.  In these letters, the eleven-year-old details her life, her relationship with Frankie, and the increasing pain and exhaustion she experiences (which results in the disturbing diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis).  Will Julie be able to overcome the devastation of the disease?  Help and inspiration come from an unexpected source, enabling Julie to reach for a goal she thinks might be beyond her grasp.  (I found this little gem in a $1.00 section of a bookstore.  It made all the time I spent digging through the myriad books worth it.)

While we’re talking about Peg Kehret, she has written a series that is sure to be a favorite with mystery fans, lovers of animal stories, and anyone who enjoys a good, fast-paced story, especially if a fair amount of humor is thrown in.  The author introduces us to feline detective, and her coauthor, Pete the Cat.  The plump puss is owned by 12-year-old Alex, who is unhappy because he has no friends in the newly-build development his family has recently moved into, and he is being tormented by bullies who aren’t happy with the development’s existence.  When incidents of vandalism crop up in the community, it is, naturally, Pete who discovers who is behind them–but can he make humans understand him?

Back to the books…

Happy October! (Part One)

October is here, and it definitely has that autumn feel–brisk breezes, cooler temperatures, the works!  Take a peek at these winning titles for this colorful season.

This gem describes the life of a sugar maple from tiny seed to magnificent full-grown tree.  The author’s use of a varied assortment of items–including fabric, twigs, and colored paper–create a visual feast that can be enjoyed any season of the year.  The large type is attractive to young readers, and older kids will find the information in the appendix useful and interesting.

 

 

 

Every October 28, Tony’s family packs a picnic lunch and heads to the Statue of Liberty.  There, in spite of Tony’s embarassment at being at a picnic on a chilly autumn day, his grandmother again conveys her feelings about coming to live in this wonderful country.  Only when he meets a new immigrant family does Tony begin to appreciate the significance of the lady in the harbor.   A great read for the statue’s birthday, the topic of emigration to the United States, or for anyone who enjoys a warm family story.

To be continued…

So many books, so little time!