How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Pairing particularly clear and engaging explanations with a mix of spare diagrams and close-up photos of snow crystals—all presented in an evocative gray-blue color scheme—this introduction to the white stuff will impart a solid understanding of how crystals and flakes grow in the clouds and how temperature and other factors on the way down further affect the marvelous diversity of their forms. Young readers expecting the customary array of lacy stars won’t be disappointed—but the dazzling and detailed close-ups also capture snow crystals in rarely seen shapes, from plates and columns to multilayered forms as complex as clockwork. With never a hint of hyperbole, the authors communicate such a contagious sense of wonder that few readers will be able to resist following the final pages’ simple directions for constructing a handheld snowflake observation stage and rushing outside at the first sign of snow in hopes of taking a closer look at one of nature’s most beautiful and ubiquitous phenomena. A perfect lead-in to Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s Snowflake Bentley (1998). Grades 2-4. --John Peters
Review
WASHINGTON POST
Along with Snowflake Bentley, Jacqueline Briggs Martin's charming 1998 biography of the Vermont photographer who documented the uniqueness of snowflakes in the 19th century, this book will instill appreciation for these tiny, cool objects.
BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)
With never a hint of hyperbole, the authors communicate such a contagious sense of wonder that few readers will be able to resist following the final pages' simple directions for constructing a handheld snowflake observation stage and rushing outside at the first sign of snow in hopes of taking a closer look at one of nature's most beautiful and ubiquitous phenomena.
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS (STARRED REVIEW)
Nature photographer Cassino's galley of snow crystals is the sort of riveting exhibition that will have eyes locked to the pages, mesmerized by the intricate forms themselves and the 'How did he do that?' wonder at Cassino's technique of capturing images of these ephemeral delicacies.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Thought you knew it all about snowflakes? Settle down in a comfy chair, and prepare to revise your inner database....By the end, you'll be hoping there's a day when you can follow the careful directions for catching and viewing snow crystals.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
The clear and direct narrative takes readers into the clouds to explain snow-crystal formation...and then zooms in on the actual crystals. Sure to get young scientists outside in the cold, particularly as it helpfully includes crystal-catching instructions.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Libraries in areas where snow falls will definitely want to add this title to their collections, but it would enhance lessons on weather anywhere.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you are interested in knowing more about snowflakes and their basic science makeup, this book will fascinate you!
January 16, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Perhaps you've heard of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley and the magnificent work he did photographing snowflakes. Most people know at least one fact about them and that there are no two alike, but just how do these unique snow crystals form? Each snowflake "begins with a speck." These specks can be made up of many different things, including pollen, bacteria, salt, ash or bits of soil. These particles cannot be seen with the naked eye, but once "vapor sticks to the cold speck" and the process begins the end result can be seen.
In this book you will learn how these crystals are formed. Much of this process is dependent on things such as temperature, the amount of moisture in a cloud, and how fast the snow crystal forms. The most common snow crystal is the star-shaped one or dendrite ("tree-like"). Some of the crystals are shapes like plates (no arms), columnar, some have bumps, some are "twins" with twelve arms, and some are clumped. In fact, "hundreds or even thousands of snow crystals can be found in a single snowflake." If you are interested in knowing more about snowflakes and their basic science makeup, this book will fascinate you!
I was very interested in this book because I never really stopped to think about how snow crystals were formed. This book has a very nice set up and easily guides the reader through the "science" of snowflakes without becoming overly technical. Certain things that I especially liked were actual size depictions or dots of the crystals and microphotographs of them. The book is liberally illustrated with these photographs. In the back of the book is a nicely done section on "How to Catch Your Own Snow Crystals." What is the "magic number" for snow crystals? If you don't know, you might want to take a peek at this marvelous book!
In this book you will learn how these crystals are formed. Much of this process is dependent on things such as temperature, the amount of moisture in a cloud, and how fast the snow crystal forms. The most common snow crystal is the star-shaped one or dendrite ("tree-like"). Some of the crystals are shapes like plates (no arms), columnar, some have bumps, some are "twins" with twelve arms, and some are clumped. In fact, "hundreds or even thousands of snow crystals can be found in a single snowflake." If you are interested in knowing more about snowflakes and their basic science makeup, this book will fascinate you!
I was very interested in this book because I never really stopped to think about how snow crystals were formed. This book has a very nice set up and easily guides the reader through the "science" of snowflakes without becoming overly technical. Certain things that I especially liked were actual size depictions or dots of the crystals and microphotographs of them. The book is liberally illustrated with these photographs. In the back of the book is a nicely done section on "How to Catch Your Own Snow Crystals." What is the "magic number" for snow crystals? If you don't know, you might want to take a peek at this marvelous book!
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Story of Snow is on my Christmas list this year. It's a book for children who like to learn about nature. Cassino, who has photographed snowflakes for several years, explains how snow is made and why each individual snowflake is different. He also teaches kids how to catch and photograph snowflakes. Never condescending, this book will be perfect for my science-oriented goddaughter. I heartily recommend it.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Used with a fifth-grade unit on the states of water presented during winter, this book was a great way to extend a discussion of water crystals and to generate snow activities. It presents snowflake forms other than the common star students think of most often. The size comparison circles are a valuable way of demonstrating just how small parts of our world really are. I recommend it highly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great science read aloud for my kindergarten students!
I really like this book because it explains the science of snow in an easy to understand way. It is perfect for my kindergarten class!
Published 2 months ago by S. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
TRUE learning resource for children
This is a super book... The information is presented in a way that allows it to relate and come to life to the children. It also gives the truth behind snow... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Raizy Hines
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good book for kids!!
I think my older granddaughter liked it more than the younger one because she is in school and just starting science. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Peters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another perfect gift
This was paired with The Secret Life of a Snowflake for a very smart 5 yr old.
It was much appreciated. Read more
It was much appreciated. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Karen S Howell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Snow Structure Enlivens Student Learning
The Story of Snow fascinated my third grade students. The book pictures and text, project through my Mac and classroom projector, kept the attention of all the students as they... Read more
Published 4 months ago by LiliPond
3.0 out of 5 stars
I purchased this story to share with my literacy group..
The story is well written and has nice clear diagrams. However, the print (on my kindle) is quite small) and I had difficulty sharing the text and pictures. Read more
Published 4 months ago by juell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for the kids
Does not work well on a regular Kindle, but great on a fire or IPad. You do need the illustrations in color to fully appreciate the book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Teresa Gardenour
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Story of Snow
I used this book as a teaching tool for my grandchildren who found thie information in the book exciting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Noreen Decuir
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of The Story of Snow
This book is worth reading, and having sit on a coffee table...
for children, yes...
and...
for the child within each of us adults.
8o)
for children, yes...
and...
for the child within each of us adults.
8o)
Published 4 months ago by Nancyj Hovey
1.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't see it well enough to read anything.
The font is so small it cannot be increased enough to read. Since it seems to have pictures or drawings, is it not suitable for the basic Kindle. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeannette
