Total Pageviews

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Eyewitness: Hurricane and Tornado. Written by Jack Challoner. DK, Tourmaline Editions, Inc. 2014. $10.99 ages 8 and up

"Tornadoes have many names, including whirlwinds and twisters. These high-speed swirling winds leave a trail of destruction and are a bit of a mystery. They seem to develop at the base of thunderclouds, as warm, moist air rises and passes through colder air. This draws winds that are already circulating in the storm into a high-speed whirl."

Recently, thanks to Chris at Tourmaline Editions in Canada, I received a package of Eyewitness books...all in paperback!  What that means is that some of the most interesting and informative nonfiction for young readers is more affordable now for families and classrooms. DK Publishing deserves a WHOOP! for making it so.

The first of the package that I want to share is this one, as we are all interested in how these weather phenomena form, and their impact. In Manitoba, we have certainly seen a rise in the number of tornadoes spotted in the past few years. As weather patterns change and become more extreme, that pattern is not likely to lessen. Kids are intrigued by weather, especially when it can have such an impact. This guide talks about the danger and destruction that happens when weather conditions are ripe to produce such terrifying phenomena.

The book starts with 'weather folklore' and its beginnings in Greece, where nothing was tested concerning the theories proposed. Fairly unreliable I am guessing. Early forecasting began 300 years ago, with experiments concerned with water, heat and air. It has changed greatly over the intervening years. Using fantastic contemporary and archival photos, the author captions them with clear and detailed descriptions to help to readers understand perspective, to recognize the danger and to see the repercussions of what we are doing to create these immense changes in weather patterns.

Updated from the originals, these new editions of the very popular Eyewitness series are sure to be favorites with those who long to know more about the world around them, and how weather is forecast and how it is changing with global warming.

"The world's average temperature is rising. Most climate scientists blame human activity, such as the burning of fuels. If global warming carries on at this rate, more ice at the poles will melt, causing flooding in many places this century."

Have you heard that before? I think you have...

No comments:

Post a Comment