Hurricanes!

January 1, 2010
K-Gr 3-This informative overview follows a format similar to "Tornadoes!" (Holiday House, 2009). Cartoonlike watercolor images filled with details accompany simple facts, such as the five categories of hurricanes and information about wind speed and surge heights. Maps of where hurricanes occur along with information on the most severe occurrences in American history are followed by details about forecasting and tracking these storms. A page about "What to do when a hurricane is approaching]" and another of "More interesting facts]" complete the book."Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2009
Grades K-2 Hurricanes are serious business, but Gibbons uses a picture-book format to detail their destructive powers without the information ever becoming too frightening. Its a smart ideawhile there are plenty of books featuring devastating photos, they are likely to inspire dread among young readers. Gentle watercolors are Gibbons main weapons here, and the painted panoramas of trees whipping, cars upending, and the encroaching curls of blue and green surf are engagingly tumultuous. There are a few missteps, though: the opening explanation of the science behind hurricanes is too complicated and not aided by the squiggly-lined diagrams. The organization is also spotty; information on hurricane forecasting seems needlessly split into different sections. But Gibbons finds her groove with a series of spreads describing each category of hurricane; for example, the right-hand page shows the ferment of the storm in progress, along with info on wind speed and storm surges, while the left-hand page depicts the aftermath. Famous hurricanes, from Andrew to Katrina, are among the multitude of other topics broached in this intriguing introduction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)