Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

Description

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Why do star-shaped snow crystals usually have six arms? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. And for those inspired to collect and study their own snow crystals, there are snow-crystal-catching instructions in the back.

Mark Cassino lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his wife Pam and their three cats. Mark is a fine art and natural history photographer. He started photographing snow crystals in his garage in 1997. Jon Nelson is a retired ice physicist who taught meteorology and cloud physics at the University of Arizona. He now lives in Bellingham, Washington, where he still likes to dabble in writing and research whenever he is not out trying to climb something.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.