Tornadoes [Library Binding]

Seymour Simon (Author)

Book Description

With winds that can reach speeds of three hundred miles an hour and funnel clouds that can measure a mile in diameter, tornadoes leave enormous damage in their wake.

Now award-winning author Seymour Simon examines these twisting columns of air and destruction.With the clear, concise style he is noted for, Simon explains how tornadoes are formed, why and when they are most likely to occur, how scientists classify and track them -- and what to do if one touches down.Spectacular full-color photographs show this powerful phenomenon in action.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2000--selected by Natn'l Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8An entry in a handsome series that includes Storms (1989), Weather (1993), and Lightning (1997, all Morrow), Tornadoes focuses on one of natures most violent and spectacular phenomena. Large, riveting, full-color photos show a threatening sky, meteorologists at work, a variety of tornadoes (from an eerily ethereal waterspout to an appalling monster), and the resultant chaotic shredding of human possessions in the storms paths. Simons clear, well-organized text discusses the weather conditions necessary to spawn these violent storms; how they form; where they are most likely to occur; and how scientists predict, rate, and track them. He also describes some of the major tornadoes recorded in the U.S. and includes weather maps and a diagram. Even if you own Franklyn Branleys simpler Tornado Alert (Crowell, 1988) or Stephen Kramers more detailed Tornado (Carolrhoda, 1992), make room on your shelves for Simons standout view of a cataclysmic manifestation.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The newest in Simon's excellent series on natural disasters, which includes books on volcanoes, earthquakes, and lightning, is as dramatic and informative as the previous titles. Simon explains how and why tornadoes form, how they behave, how scientists predict and track them, and what safety measures should be taken if a tornado is sighted. Incredible full-color photographs and diagrams, clearly portraying the different formations and devastating power of the windstorms, complement the text perfectly. A must for middle-grade students researching the subject, the book is sure to appeal to browsers as well. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688146473
• ISBN-13: 978-0688146474
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,962,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). His free, educational children's app, SCIENCE FUN TO GO, debuted in the Top 10 of all free children's apps in the Amazon App store, and features in app purchase of original Seymour Simon eBooks, as well as a multitude of free content.

Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.

He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."

Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.

In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York. You can follow his daily nature walks and see his photographs from the field on Twitter (@seymoursimon) or on his Facebook group page. He also regularly hosts Q&As and sponsors book giveaways on GoodReads.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good explanations, nice pictures. Good, but not excellent book., January 8, 2009

By 

HeatherHH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tornadoes (Paperback)

This is a good book to explain tornadoes to your early elementary age children. There are good explanations of how tornadoes form, the "typical" tornado, where they most commonly occur, the classification of tornadoes, warning signs, safety measures, etc. Also, there are a few examples of specific tornadoes given. And, there are some nice photos. This is a good book to cover this topic.

As for why I rated it a 4-star instead of 5, the book just lacked that "wow factor" for me that makes a book go from good to outstanding. It also might have been nice to see a timeline for a specific tornado, or a photo progression of one specific tornado to see how they develop.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great pictures, February 21, 2008

By 

H. Lynn-Blake "Abunchofboys" (Baltic, CT) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tornadoes (Paperback)

Though this book is definitely for older kids, above 1st grade, it has some awesome pictures. The descriptions were very nice and as with most books about tornadoes has great information about what to do and not to do if you are in the path of a tornado.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tornadoes, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tornadoes (Hardcover)

This book was very interesting. It is filled with lots of facts and great pictures. Seymore Simon is a great writer. If you want to learn about Tornadoes definitly pick up this book. It is a GREAT book.