Weather and Rainforest Nonfiction Books for Classroom Use

created by Laura Murdock, Wayland Free Public Library

December 2006

Weather

What Will the Weather Be? by Lynda Dewitt, illustrated by Carolyne Croll, Harper Collins, 1991
This book helps explain weather forecasting and has descriptions of fronts and how they move in and change the weather. Weather from around the world is discussed and how the weather can be very different from place to place. Various aspects of weather are introduced (weather instruments and how they are used, weather maps etc...). Great introduction to weather in general.

Weather Math by Kieran Walsh, Rouke Publishing, 2004
Description of how meteorologists use numbers in lots of ways to describe weather. Uses numbers to compare differences in amount of snow, average temperature, amount of rainfall etc.. in different parts of world. A good glossary at end has both math and weather terms. A great aid in interdisciplinary study of weather, science and math.

Seymour Simon Series, Harper Collins

Weather Forecasting by Gail Gibbons, Four Winds Press, 1987
Descriptions of seasons and how the weather station works - more complex description of instruments used to predict weather.

Weather Words by Gail Gibbons Holiday House 1990
Great easy description of weather words and interesting illustration for kids - great place to get vocabulary.

The Weather Sky by Bruce McMillan Farrar Straus Giroux
More complex look at clouds and fronts - more for teacher to read and talk to students about the sky and various types of clouds.

Make it Work Weather byAndrew Haslam and Barbara Taylor World Book Inc. 1997
Another good glossary about weather terms - easy experiments to helps kids see what they are learning. Map of world so kids can see different types of weather in various parts of earth.

Rain Forest

World Book Encyclopedia presents Rain Forest Animals , World Book 1999
Great easy descriptions and picture of rain forest animals for kids to do their own research.

Exploring the Rain Forest by Mattias Klum and Hans Odoo, Sterling Publishing 1997
Great description of animals and life in the rainforest. Brief description of layers of the rainforest.

Kingfisher Voyages Rain Forest by Jinny Johnson, Kingfisher 2006
Beautiful illustrations and information about how to visit the rain forest, a nice history of the rain forest and describes how to climb trees in the rainforest. Kids will be fascinated by the illustrations and will enjoy learning about people climbing the huge trees.

Magic School Bus in the Rain Forest by Joanna Cole, illustrated by John Speirs, Scholastic 1998
Kids love these book and I like the information provided.

A Close Look at the Rainforest by Selina Wood, Copper Beach Books 1996
Great illustrations of the layers of the rain forest and how the rain water is used by all parts of the rainforest. Includes information about how the rainforest across the world is disappearing and what we can do to help

Rain, Rain, Rain Forest by Brenda Guiberson, illustrated by Steve Jenkins, Henry Holt and Co., 2004
Really a story about the rainforest and scientist who learn something new every day. Many facts about the animals and plants. Great introductory story to get kids interested in the rain forest in general.

Save the Rain Forest by Allan Fowler, Children's Press, 1996
Easy Reader so kids can read themselves how to help save the rainforest. Includes descriptions of many animals, where the rainforests are located and what people are doing to harm the rainforest.