Clouds, Rain, Clouds Again

K-Gr 3—These books encourage young children to explore the world around them. How Does the Wind Blow?? is the more original with each spread illustrating characteristics of a number on the Beaufort Scale. Movement of leaves, flags, kites, and other familiar objects reveals how wind intensity increases from light breeze to hurricane. Curiously, the illustration next to the text warning about the dangers of hurricane winds shows a boy and girl looking out a window at toppling trees. Clouds notes different types of clouds and offers a brief account of the water cycle. Ellen Lawrence's What Is the Water Cycle?? (Bearport, 2012) and Suzanne Slade's A Raindrop's Journey (Picture Window, 2011) provide more complete overviews. Some of Fraser's illustrations have a diffuse, slightly blurred quality. The fact that most of the girls wear dresses gives the illustrations a somewhat retro feel. The greatest value in both volumes lies in the parent/teacher handbook at the end, which supplies more technical information and suggests a number of activities related to the topic. An additional activity related to wind is available at an NSTA website.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato