Snow Is Falling (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) [Paperback]

Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Holly Keller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1

Snow is falling. Snow is wonderful - for sledding, for skiing, and for building snowmen. But did you know that snow can actually keep things warm? Find out how snow helpf plants, animals, and people to survive. But when a blizzard blows, watch out! The snow that is so useful can be dangerous too.

Franklyn M. Branley and Holly Keller team up for a fun and colorful exploration of the world of snow, including experiments and activities for cold winter days. A Let's Read and Find Out Science book, for Stage 1.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-The most important changes in this revised edition are in the illustrations and format. The watercolors are fresher, more child oriented, and include youngsters of different ethnic backgrounds. There are even more snowflakes, evoking a much stronger feeling about the magic of snow. The attractive design includes larger pages and typeset and a cleaner, neater appearance. The text remains much the same, although the language has been updated (for example, "Eskimo" has been changed to "in the far north, people-") and some explanations are smoother and more easily understood, such as the thermometer experiment. Two additional experiments plus some Web sites have been appended. This book would work well in science units or thematic storytimes.
Kay Bowes, Concord Pike Library, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

"What's good and bad about snow?" is the central question of this new title by the founder of the fine Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-Science series. As in his other titles, Branley is successful in presenting scientific facts to the very young, moving from the most basic observations about snow ("sometimes snow is wet and sticky . . . sometimes snow is light, dry, and fluffy") to exploring the effects that snow has on people, animals, and the earth. Some of the facts seem overly simplistic even for this young set ("It is always cold when it snows"), but there are plenty of useful beginning words, concepts, and activities, extended by uncluttered, attractive illustrations and a concluding resource section for teachers. For kids from all climates who know about the fun but ask, "What does snow do?" Gillian Engberg --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Collins; Revised edition (January 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064451860
• ISBN-13: 978-0064451864
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Franklyn Branley was Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planeterium. In 1960, he originated the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, dedicated to explaining science to young children and encouraging them to explore their world. Dr. Branley is the author of over 150 science books for children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Good Is Snow?, February 22, 2002

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Snow Is Falling (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) (Paperback)

Rather than attempting to explain how snow is made, this book discusses the good and bad things about snow. For instance, snow protects plants and animals from harsh winds and can keep things warm. However, snow can also bury food for animals and cause floods in the spring. This book is fairly easy for pre-schoolers to understand though there are a few difficult words they have trouble understanding at first (thermometer and temperature). The illustrations that accompany the text are colorful, yet not overpowering. A great science book to use for preschoolers when talking about winter.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars General Introduction to Snow, April 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Snow Is Falling (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) (Paperback)

Rather than go into the science of how snow is formed, this book discusses the effects of snow... Snow protects plants and hibernating animals from wind and cold and, in the spring, melted snow waters the new plants. The book also discussed the dangerous conditions snow can cause. The colorful illustrations and subject of the text make it a good book for a pre-kindergarten curriculum.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Would be good for Preschoolers, but less than impressed for our needs., July 17, 2010

By 

Kacidee "Kacidee" (Jax. FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow Is Falling (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series.

As a homeschooling Mama, this series is what I chose to be our science curriculum (Kindergarten). I have many of these books, and adore most of them. Most are extremely informative, and very 'science-y'. I love, too, that many of them have experiments inside. Fun & intriguing, this hands-on stuff! The best part is that these books will surely be beloved additions to our library. I'm certain we'll enjoy reading & re-reading them for at least a few years.

However ;-)

I was not overjoyed with "Snow is Falling". I had high expectations based on other books I have. This one did not live up to them.

It lacked the truly educational, 'real-science' feel of most of the other books. What information it shared was extremely basic. I see where others have reviewed that it is good for Pre-schoolers; I'd have to agree. (I just wish I'd read the reviews of that first!) The information it contains is so, so very basic. It lost my interest... and my child's (age, 5). I wish they'd gotten into 'the hows' of snow (how its formed, how it changes over time), but this was mostly about the effects of snow. It touched briefly on the fact that it's warmer under the snow, but not 'the why' behind that fact.

The illustrations ARE wonderful, tho.. and the two experiments in the back appear quite fun. Sadly, for those of us living in a non-snow environment, we will only be able to do one of them. I also like that it lists three web sites on snow & weather to use as additional resources, as well as referencing you to three other books about snow.

I just found it too simplistic. The writing, too, is awkward at points. "Night has come and snow is falling. It is quiet. The snow falls without a sound. Look at the streetlight. The snow is falling in front of it. It may fall all night." The whole streetlight thing seems out of place to me. *Shrug* Maybe that's just me ;-)

Again, could be a nice, fun read for Preschoolers. But it was kind of a waste for us, for a Kinder.