Weather Books

Every book he writes teaches our family so much! My four year-old loves this book and we have all learned so much about fires in nature and how fire can be a bad AND a good thing. Very interesting.

I purchased Wind, Rain, Clouds and Snow. Wonderful short science books and very easy for young readers. My 5 year old twins love to read their 'science' books. It is difficult to find simple non fiction books for this age group, but these are perfect fit.

This fun, fact-filled book is a welcome addition to any school, or home library. Step-by-step the author explains what wind is, its sometimes destructive nature, as well as its positive benefits. I liked the inclusion of information regarding ways to use the wind as a renewable energy source. If you have a child in your life that wants to know how things work - this book is for you!

"It all begins with the Sun. During the day, hat from the Sun pours onto Earth's surface. Land absorbs the heat, while water reflects most of the Sun's rays back into the air. As the air warms, it becomes lighter and rises up into the atmosphere (the "bubble" of air that surrounds the planet.) Heavier cool air from nearby is sucked in along the ground to fill the void. The movement of this cooler air is what we feel as wind."

With a combination of simple explanation and significant information, Christine Petersen examines the nature of wind and how it has been harnessed for our energy needs beginning with Egyptian boating 7,000 years ago.

"In 2001, wind farms around the world produced enough electricity for 10 million homes."

Wind Power is filled with photographs of windmills, wind turbines, and wind farms. An up-to-date website list of relevant organizations is included at the end of the book. The wealth of information provided and the manner in which it is presented while keeping it entirely age-appropriate is so outstanding here that I found myself compelled to reject another publisher's 2004 book on wind power (while working on collection development) because it suffered so badly in comparison from reading it after enjoying this one.

What a wonderful book! We all take a little breeze for granted, but this book makes you look at the wind a little differently. It starts off as a day like any other day, a young boy sits and eats his normal breakfast. But then on his way to school, a wind whooshes into town and shakes everything up. But it's not just wind anymore...it is the same wind that ruffled the fur on a polar bear, the same wind that rushed passed the pyramids, and filled the sails of a Viking ship. What a great book to make you think of something so simple as the wind in a completely different way. Bravo! (and great illustrations too!!)

I've emphasized the hiking part of the subtitle, because over half the book covers traveling on ice and snow, not just staying in place at a camp. Both stopping and going are important of course, and this book is an excellent survey of both subjects.

There is information about proper clothing for hiking, skiing and snowboarding, including equipment for snow shoeing and climbing over rocky terrain. Another chapter covers navigating, food and nutrition and traveling in groups.

Gorman is especially good on details; choosing a sleeping bag involves understanding quality of fill, shape, size both in action and on the ground, and temperature ratings. Water is a major consideration; we emit at least a pint of water sleeping in the cold.

Gorman recently gave an interesting interview to the "Concord Monitor" which introduces beginners to winter camping. High points include:

"The first time out winter camping, it is not such a bad idea to not go really far out into the back country. Going to a state park or national forest campground just off the road is a good way to shake things down, do everything right before going on a longer trip.

"During that first close outing, do jumping jacks or mild exercises - stretches, too - to warm up before getting into that sleeping bag. Don't worry, campgrounds are less crowded in winter, so don't be shy. Trying out that new stove? Use it in the evening to make yourself a hot water bottle, close it securely and place it in the bottom of the sleeping bag as added warmth. Then heat that water in the morning for coffee.

"Wear a cap to sleep, and be sure your clothing is dry. Feel comfortable layering clothing. That's a natural thermostat and can help you maintain your comfort level.

"Before you go, learn to plan ahead. In winter, many public parks and campgrounds are closed. Those that remain open often have limited services - like no water - and some require contacting the park before venturing in. Private campgrounds tend to have more services."

Gorman's book is an revised and updated edition of Gorman's highly regarded AMC Guide to Winter Camping: Wilderness Travel and Adventure in the Cold-Weather Months. I've looked at the glowing Amazon reviews of the previous edition. This revised edition is significantly better.

Gorman is an enthusiast; join him if you want to "explore the winter wilderness and experience the joys of winter."

Fun and informative, The New Wisconsin Almanac by Jerry Minnich is an impressive collection of Wisconsin facts, stories, and miscellaneous information. Exploring the Badger State's history and weather, The New Wisconsin Almanac is also a superb gardening calendar, a compendium of household tips, trivia teasers, and even cottage recipes. The New Wisconsin Almanac advises, informs and entertains its readers with an entertaining wealth of researched, documented, and simply fascinating information. The New Wisconsin Almanac is very strongly recommended for all gardeners, environmentalists, and homemakers living, working, and vacationing in Wisconsin, as well as those merely wishing for an engaging collection of sparsely known and highly readable trivia on and about the great Badger State.

The collaborative effort of Joseph M. Moran (Barbara Hauxhurst Cofrin Professor of Natural Sciences (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay) and Edward J. Hopkins (Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madi-son), Wisconsin's Weather And Climate is an informed and informative survey and examination of Wisconsin and its weather patterns through millions of years of history. From how modern-day science uses weather balloons, radar and satellites to monitor changes; to a sweeping view of the changes that have come across the land; Wisconsin's Weather And Climate is a fascinating read, highly recommended for students of meteorology, as well as being completely accessible for non-specialist general readers with an interest in Wisconsin weather history and the impact weather has had on Wisconsin ranging from advances in snow-making technology to the decline of the Great Lakes ice industry.

If you need a good solid reference for the world of weather, you want this book. The pictures are excellent. The review questions and sections on applying your knowledge are relevant to the chapter material and are thought provoking.

The writing is not your typical dry, stuffy textbook lecture. The writing is light, easy to read and interesting. The authors use real life experiences to illustrate their discussions.

Anyone can relate to the illustrations and examples used in this book as nearly every individual has some experience with these weather phenomena.

I bought this book sight-unseen, because I'd seen pictures of the artist's work. At this modest price, what could I lose? I wasn't disappointed. The book is lovely. You can get a good idea of her style by clicking on the book and looking at the front & back covers. Or go to her website. If you can't buy her original artwork, the book is a nice alternative.