Books by Theme
Hurricane!
Learn how hurricanes are formed, how they are named and classified, what to do if a dangerous storm is on the way, and how animals react to storms. Meet "Marvelous Cornelius" who helped his hometown of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. And don't miss a tall tale featuring Kissimmee Pete and a wild ride with Miss Frizzle and her class through the eye of a hurricane. The list also includes fictional picture books that describe the drama of big storms through the eyes of a child.
If hurricanes and other extreme weather cause anxiety for your kids, you might want to read this helpful article from PBS Parents: Talking Positively to Kids About Scary Weather.
DK Eyewitness Books: Hurricane & Tornado
Striking images, models and illustrations offer a unique view of catastrophic weather conditions allowing readers to see into the eye of a cyclone, witness hailstones the size of tennis balls, and learn how a gentle mountain stream can become a raging surge within a few minutes.
Hurricane
When a storm is raging, David and George are glad to be inside the house, snug and safe. In this spectacular picture book by Caldecott Honor recipient David Wisener, a fallen tree becomes the threshold to the limitless voyage of the imagination, which David and George share as only true friends — and brothers — can.
Hurricane!
Told from the perspective of a boy who witnesses the sky growing ominously purple and rushes to evacuate with his family, Hurricane! is set in Puerto Rico and based on a childhood experience of the author's. The family huddles together in a shelter while the winds howl. They and their neighbors take solace from gently singing "Silent Night" while waiting out the storm.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes, their origin and their destructive power (as well as their relatives, the tropical storm and depression) are presented here in striking photographs and cogent text.
Hurricanes!
Imagine a force that can toss boats around like toys, wash away bridges, and create waves as high as eighteen feet. With fierce winds and torrential rains, hurricanes can do all of these things. Young readers will learn how hurricanes are formed, how they are named and classified, and what to do if a dangerous storm is on the way.
Kissimmee Pete and the Hurricane
Kissimmee Pete, the cracker cow hunter, is back for another wild adventure. After rounding up a herd of cattle to send to Cuba, Pete and his trusty dog Mud load the herd onto a steamship and watch the ship leave the dock. But only seconds later, there's trouble in store for Pete. A hurricane has blown in, and it's up to the larger than-life cow hunter to save his cattle and stop the storm before it's too late.
Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane
If only every child could have a teacher like Ms. Frizzle, every field trip would be unforgettable! Here, the kids get the inside scoop on hurricanes by going into its eye in their school bus (turned weather plane) to learn how hurricanes form and to experience their power. There's an extra bit of drama when Arnold becomes separated from the class, but is happily reunited.
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans
Cornelius Washington was proud of his hometown, New Orleans. His job as a sanitation worker was important before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city but became even more important after when Cornelius worked with others to help restore it. Textured illustrations and a hope-filled narrative combine fact with fiction for a moving look at a catastrophic event.
Over in the Wetlands: A Hurricane-on-the-Bayou Story
As a hurricane approaches, animals and their behavior before a storm are described using the cadence of the familiar rhyme, “Over in the Meadow,” Handsome, realistic illustration evoke the mood of the weather and its impact.
Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina
Soon after 13-year old Zane travels from New Hampshire to visit his great-grandmother, Miss Trissy, in New Orleans, disaster strikes. He and Bandy, his dog, confront the storm and the natural and human disastrous aftermath when they are separated from Miss Trissy and make their way back to Zane’s family. This thought-provoking novel is taut and fast-paced.
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