Customer Reviews

The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The photographs are amazing! The information is just the right length and at a level where grade school children can understand it. It explains how a snowflake is formed. There are lots of pictures and illustrations.
Our whole family found it fascinating!

Professor Kenneth Libbrecht's beautiful pictures of snow are the perfect backdrop for this insightful book on snow. The pictures will delight children, and the author also describes the process of taking photographs as well as the science of why snow has 6 sides (I won't give it away), how snow forms, and different forms snow can take.

I used this with pre-schoolers, but there are a number of words per page, so it may work even better with elementary school aged children.

The book deals less with the "art" side of the snowflake (the art is basically the pictures themselves), but the science is strong and makes up for it.

I teach 3rd grade where there is no snow. We spend the week before winter break studying snowflakes. This book inspires ahhhs! and concentration in even the most unfocused. As a non-science major, I think well of the explanations and how it is pieced out.

Amazing photographs! Great story. Even though this is a "kids" book, all the adults love it too. And I love Amazon, they make shopping so easy. Maybe too easy... I'm giving two other Kenneth Libbrecht books on snowflakes to loved ones this holiday season. Very cool introduction to science and photography for everyone.

"The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art & Science of Snowflakes" is a stunning collection of microscopic images of beautiful, perfect snowflakes. Filled with visual enchantment, "The Secret Life of a Snowflake" traces the life cycle of a snowflake, and gives many visual examples of comparable objects (such as a penny, or a needle) along with a snowflake to show its actual size. Surprisingly, there are many ways to make a snowflake, as well as different ways a snowflake can grow. Dr. Libbrecht confirms from his fascinating observations that indeed, no two six-sided snowflakes are alike, and indeed, all snowflakes are hexagonal. "The Secret Life of a Snowflake" is a glossary of incredible snowflake shapes and facts that will delight and educate juvenile readers ages 9-10 everywhere.

Simply, the best basic snowflake book ever! As a middle school science educator (and someone who is an adjunct professor at two universities) this book appeals to a wide variety of people - from my middle school students (who range from autistic, to special needs to advanced) to my colleagues. This is one book that everyone picks up and enjoys. The pictures are amazing and the science is great. A truly wonderful book. I would give it six stars if I could!

This book is beautifully set out and simple to understand. Dr. Kenneth Libbrecht has presented us with something truly beautiful and fascinating. I purchased this book as a gift for my eight-year old grandson and he (and his sisters) will love learning from it.

What a wonderful look into the world of snow flakes. Fascinating pictures. I recommend it to everyone. It will make you appreciate God's creations more than ever before.

This is one of those types of books that a person wants to collect, whether he's a scientist or not. It feels good simply knowing that you have it.

I'm sure others will comment on the specifics. I'll limit my comment to saying that I bought three of them so that I can give them as gifts to my grandkids.

Whether you grew up with snowy winters or never pitched a snowball in your life, this is a fun book. Magnificent microphotos and easy explainations of the formation of the flakes make it a great gift for anyone. It is my favorite classroom gift for our sunny California teachers.