Sturdy for Common Things

Favorite Children’s Books About Weather

“What will the weather be like today?” It’s one of the first questions we think of when we wake in the morning. Every day we experience weather. Some of us live in places where the weather is consistently the same throughout the year, and some of us live in places where there is a wide range of weather – especially during seasonal transition. Regardless of where you live, learning about weather elements is a fun way for children to take notice of and apply weather to their everyday world. Since we’ve been experiencing a lot of weather changes with the seasonal transition where I live, I put together a list of favorite children’s books that are both fiction and nonfiction about weather. What’s your favorite book about weather?

 

ALL ABOUT WEATHER
These books focus on a variety of weather and season:

What Will the Weather Be Like Today? by Paul Rogers, illustrations by Kazuko (public library)
On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Frane Lessac (public library)
Boom Boom by Savinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine (public library)
Weather Words by Gail Gibbons (public library)
If Frogs Made Weather by Dane Marion Bauer (public library)
Maisy’s Wonderful Weather Book by Lucy Cousins (public library)
Inside, Outside by Lizi Boyd (public library) – Full book review HERE
Whatever the Weather by Karen Wallace (public library)

 

THE WATER CYCLE
A look at various forms of water and the phases of the water cycle:

Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Marianda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin (public library)
This is the Rain by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Jane Wattenbern (public library)
Water Dance by Thomas Locker (public library)
All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tiloston (public library)
Water Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija (public library)

 

RAIN
Rain showers, rainy days, after-rain puddles and all things rain, rain, rain:

Raindrop Roll by April Pulley Sayre (public library)
Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin and John Archambault, illustrated by James Endicott (public library)
Mushroom in the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg, illustrated by Jose Aruego (public library)
Come On, Rain! by Karen Helle, illustrated by Jon J. Muth (public library)
Float by Daniel Miyares (public library)
Worm Weather by Jean Taft, illustrated by Matt Hunt (public library)
The Rain Came Down by David Shannon (public library)
Rain Play by Cynthia Cotten, illustraed by Javaka Steptoe (public library)
The Rain Train by Elena De Roo, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (public library)
Who Likes the Rain? By Wong Herbert Yee (public library)
Split! Splat! by Amy Gibson, illustrated by Steve Bjorkamn (public library)
When Rain Falls by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Constance Bergum (public library)

 

STORMS
Thunder and lightning can be a bit frightening, but learning about storms can help calm nerves. These stories make storms fun!

The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (public library)
Waiting Out the Storm by JoAnn Early Macken, illustrated by Susan Gaber (public library)
Blue on Blue by Dianne White, illustrated by Beth Krommes (public library)
Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by G. Braian Karas (public library)
Thunder Boomer by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Carol Thompson (public library)
Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by True Kelley (public library)
The Storm by Akiko Miyakoshi (public library)
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco (public library)

 

WIND
Wind causes the trees sway and kites to play. Silly, heartwarming, and informational stories about the wind:

The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins (public library)
Like a Windy Day by Frank Asch (public library)
Wind by Marion Dane Bauer (public library)
Windblown by Édouard Manceau (public library) Full review!
One Monday by Amy Hutington (public library)
Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall Ets (public library)
Bluebird by Lindsey Yankey (public library) Full review + author interview!
One Windy Wednesday by Phyllis Root (public library)
Kite Flying by Grace Lin (public library)

 

CLOUDS
Laying in the grass and looking at the clouds is one of my favorite childhood past times. These stories invoke and explain the magic behind those white fluffballs in the sky:
It Looks Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw (public library)
The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola (public library)
Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld (public library)
Olga the Cloud by Nicoletta Costa (public library)
Sector 7 by David Wiesner (public library)
Clouds by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Frané Lessac (public library)
Clouds by Marion Dane Bauer (public library)
Explore My World Clouds by Marfe Ferguson Delano (public library)
Cloudy Day Sunny Day by Donald Crews (public library)

 

SUN
Our light, life-force, and reason for the seasons– The sun!

Sun Up, Sun Down by Gail Gibbons (public library)
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews (public library) — Also is a good storm book!
Moonbear’s Sunrise by Frank Asch (public library)
A Sunny Day by Robin Nelson (public library)
One Light, One Sun by Raffi (public library)
The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch (public library)
Fun With the Sun by Melissa Stewart and Jeffrey Schnerer (public library)

 

RAINBOWS
Other than puddles, I’d say rainbows are the best part of a rainstorm. These books explain how a rainbow forms and spectrum of colors it displays:

A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman (public library)
Elmer and the Rainbow by David McKee (public library)
Ned’s Rainbow by Melanie Walsh (public library)
All the Colors of the Rainbow by Allan Fowler (public library)
Rainbows by David Whitfield (public library)

 

FOG
Stories featuring the mysterious, lingering moisture that is fog:

Fog Hide and Seek by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin (public library)
The Foggy Foggy Forest by Nick Sharratt (public library)
Fog Island by Tomi Ungerer (public library)
Hedgehog in the Fog by Yuri Norstein, illustrated by Francesca Yarbusova (public library)

 

SNOW
Snow and snowflakes and the water cycle during cold weather months:

The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino (public library)
The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story by Neil Waldman (public library)
Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles (public library)
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqeline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian (public library)
The Snowy Day by Jack Ezra Keats (public library)
A Snowy Day by Robin Nelson (public library)
Snow by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stinger (public library)

 

WEATHER BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS
Many of the books in this list are intended for older readers BUT have excellent images and activities that can be adapted and enjoyed by all ages:

The Kids’ Book of Clouds and Sky by Frank Staub (public library)
Weather by Seymour Simon (public library)
Whatever the Weather: Science Experiments and Ar Activities That Explore the Wonders of Weather by Annie Riechmann, illustrated by Dawn Suzette Smith (public library)
DK Eyewitness Weather by Brian Cosgrove (public library)
The Secret Life of a Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht (public library)
A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder by Walter Wick (public library)
National Geographic Kids Everything Weather by Kathy Furgang (public library)

 

WEATHER BOOKS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Stories about weather for the littlest readers:

Hello, World! Weather! by Jill McDonald (public library)
Bear Gets Dressed by Harriet Ziefert, illustraed by Arnold Lobel (public library)
A Windy Day in Spring by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Laura Watson (public library)
Raindrops Fall All Around by Charles Gnigna, illustrated by Laura Watson (public library)
Little Cloud by Eric Carle (public library)
Sunshine Brightens Springtime by Charles Gnigna, illustrated by Laura Watson (public library)
Rain, Rain, Go Away! by Caroline Jayne Church (public library)
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani (public library)
Kipper’s Book of Weather by Mick Inkpen (public library)
Raindrops: A Shower of Colors by Chieu Anh Urban (public library)

 

 

Interested in seeing if these books are available at your local library? I made this abbreviated weather books list on bibliocommons. So, if your library suscribes to bibliocommons you’re list of books to pick up is already started!

What’s your favorite children’s book about weather? Do you have a favorite that isn’t on the list? I’d love to know in the comments below!

 

Wild Things in April

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Images from top to bottom:
1. Tadepole hunt
2. Big ol’ tadpole
3. Old path/New path
4. False rue anemone
5. Spring beauty
6. yer majesty, Queen Trout lily
7. Wildflower sketches
8. First snail sighting
9. More tadpoles
10. April Showers
11. Wandering in the woods
12. Garden friend
13. House finch nest

Spring came early this year. Water spots are filled with tadpoles. The wildflowers in the woods have come and gone. The prairies are pregnant with new wild blooms waiting to burst.

A pair of House finches have taken residence on our porch. The other morning I checked on their nest and found this– Five perfect palest, pale blue eggs. I’m not sure why at first I was surprised by this. Birds lay eggs. That’s what birds do in nests they build. But it seems personal, sacred almost. I named the parents Lord and Lady Carmine (I’m embarrassed to say I’m going through a historical romance novel phase.) We have a basket stocked with nest materials for the birds that sits on the porch near bird seed, and I see our Lady Carmine made use of many of those items to make her nest- Dried plants and roots, broom pieces, hair, and jewelry box fluff. I wonder how many other nests near our home have materials from our basket? The best part of hosting our porch guests is listening to Lord Carmine sing to Lady Carmine each morning while she warms her clutch. They’ll be hatchings any day now. So much anticipation comes with this season. I felt the same feeling when I peered into our garden bed today and found the smallest sprout pushing past the damp soil. Once again, I know this is what happens when a seed has water and sunlight, yet it continues to be exciting and extraordinary.

Dawn from Mud Puddles and Meteors started posting gratitudes on her Instagram feed and I would like to follow suit on these monthly recaps. There was much to be thankful for this past month.

APRIL GRADITUDES 
Feeling the dirt between my toes
Squirmy tadpoles
Soft rain
Lady Carmine’s nest
Lord Carmine’s song
New beginnings

Yesterdays as amateur naturalists. For new adventures follow along on Instagram. What are you looking forward to in May? For me, it’s the first bite into a sun-warmed strawberry straight from the farmer’s field.

 

Abracadabra, It’s Spring + Magic Wand Craft

Spring is a magical season– Every day reveals a new sight to be seen. Abracadabra, It’s Spring! by Anne Sibley O’Brien, illustrated by Susan Gal (public library) highlights these changes in a playful picture book about the exciting surprises of springtime. With rhyming text, each foldout page is a transition from winter to spring using popular magical phrases. “Sunshine warms a patch of snow. Hocus-pocus! Where did it go?”

New blooms, cocoons, the return of birds singing, and the delight of running barefoot outside– This vibrant book is full of the wonders of the season. One thing I would like to note is that if you’re a teacher or librarian and plan on reading this book to a group of kids, you might want to practice saying the magic words. Some expressions like “Alizebu” may or may not be familiar to you. That one was new to me! Nature is a magnificent show if you take time to notice and Abracadabra, It’s Spring! highlights the prelude of spring magnificently.

 

Magic Wand Craft

After enjoying Abracadabra, It’s Spring!, try making some springtime magic of your own and explore the wonders of the season with a magical spring wand! Adding a seasonal twist to this project from Interaction Imagination, making wands from found sticks is a fun way to explore the surprises of springtime by looking closely and observing the differences in the environment. Some of the changes are quick and happen right before your eyes!

This craft takes maybe 10 minutes tops from start to finish not including drying time and uses materials you might already have laying around the house and in your neighborhood.

MATERIALS

• Found sticks from outside
• Small cups (we used old yogurt containers)
• White school glue
• Glitter

Pour some glue into one small container and pour glitter in the other container. The amount you use will depend on how many kids will be doing the project, but for making one wand you’ll only need a small amount of glue and several pinches of glitter.

Take a stick and dip the tip of the stick into the glue and coating the tip. Then dip the coated tip of the stick in the glitter and swoosh it around so that the glue is entirely covered in glitter. Leave to dry for 30 minutes and you now have a magic wand!

Once your wand has dried, now it’s time to take it outside for a magical spring scavenger hunt! Take a walk in a natural place that is familiar like a backyard or a park you visit regularly. Ask your child/children to use their wands to point out any new signs of spring with their wands that they didn’t notice before. They can even pretend with their magic wands, saying the incantations used in the book and pointing to signs of spring as if they were spring fairies or nature wizards causing these incredible events to happen.

Abracadabra, It’s Spring!

I’m already looking forward to the followup title Hocus Pocus, It’s Fall!, which will be released this summer. For more books about spring, checkout this list of favorite springtime kids’s books.

 

 

**Review copy of this books was provided by the generous folks at Abrams Appleseed

Our Newest Family Members– Chicks!

Meet our sweet, little puff balls of love. Two weeks ago, we made a trip to pick up four day-old chicks from a local farmer and boy, oh boy, are we smitten chicken owners already. They’re growing fast and we’re already seeing glimpses of their personalities. Over the past several years, my partner and I have been talking about raising chickens and finally decided to go for it. Originally, we were waiting to own chickens until we were living in our forever-home, but that may take awhile. There’s no time like the present, am I right?

The kids have been terrific with the chicks. On the way to pick them up, the the girls and I were giddy (and I was a teeny bit nervous), but so far it has been going well. Mira really loves ducks, and I did debate getting a couple ducklings as well but in the end decided chicks were enough for now, especially since we have no idea how to raise poultry. Lorelei is eager each morning to clean the brooder, spend time with them during the day, keep an eye on their water and food, and clean the brooder again at night before bed. We have quite a few chicken books in our personal library that we read often, but one that really struck a chord with Lorelei this past fall. Sonya’s Chickens by Phoebe Wahl. Just like Sonya in the story, Lorelei repeatedly tells her chicks, “I’ll be our mama.” That book actually played a big part in our decision to start raising chickens this year.

Our brooder is a used plastic tub and an old window screen purchased from the Restore for $1.50. The screen is bungeed onto the tub, which is lined with newspaper and several inches of pine shavings. We have two cats that would probably love more than anything to have a chick sandwich for lunch, so the screen is a must. An inferred heat lamp is perched to a chair and bungeed for safety and that’s our makeshift brooder set up!

We have zero experience owning chickens, so it’s a learning curve. We’re looking to build a portable chicken coop for our ladies, so if you have suggestions or coop preferences please leave a comment below. Actually… ANY chicken advice would be helpful if you have some to spare. I’m already daydreaming about fresh eggs in the morning!

Shadow Play

Stories + Art + Dramatic Play = Latest Pages to Projects post on Library as Incubator Project!  If you hop on over to Library as Incubator Project, the newest addition to the Pages to Projects series is up featuring shadow play with the book The Black Rabbit by Phillippa Leathers and DIY shadow puppets. Hope you’re able to take a moment to stop on by!