A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.  Rachel Carson

The weather has always intrigued human beings; across the globe it is a daily topic of conversation and speculation sprinkled with local folk lore. Recently, record hurricanes, droughts, floods, and temperatures have dominated the news, and the term “global warming” is fast becoming a new daily topic of weather conversation.

Weather news can be alarming to children as well as interesting to them. Books are a great way to help children bridge the weather news with weather knowledge and understandings.

Below is a list of weather books used by the Education Specialists in APT’s Education Department in their outreach work with parents, child care providers, early education teachers, and extended care personnel. We hope you will find the list helpful!

Ages 0-3
Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin
Young children can follow along as the story’s characters bundle up for the weather.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Through simple words and lovely pictures, children share the wonder of a city’s new snowfall through the story of a small boy who delights in its magic.

What Will I Wear? by Huck Scarry
Scarry’s characters take young children through their closets as they decide what to wear for different types of fun, weather-related activities.

It’s Spring by Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko
In this rhyming board book, children can celebrate the joy of springtime.

Maisy’s Wonderful Weather Book by Lucy Cousins
In this board book, Maisy looks out her window to see what the weather will be like each day. Children can lift and pull tabs to discover the day’s weather with Maisy.

Ages 3-5
Little Cloud by Eric Carle
A cloud with a big imagination has fun by changing into the shapes of objects he sees as he travels through the sky.  Finally, he joins his friends to make a rainstorm.

What Will The Weather Be Like Today? by Paul Rogers
Through rhyming text and bright illustrations, children are taken on a trip around the world to explore various types of weather and climates.  Children also learn what kind of climate different animals prefer.

Rain by Marion Dane Bauer
In this book, basic facts about rain are presented in bright illustrations.Children follow water as it goes through its cycle from the clouds to the ground and back again.

The Rain Came Down by David Shannon
In this funny picture book, the chaos that follows a sudden downpour is captured for young readers. One crazy event leads to another, until the sun comes out and everyone ends up smiling and helping each other.

What Makes the Seasons? by Megan Montague Cash
Lovely rhyming verse follows a child through the seasons and answers questions many children have about the weather and the seasons.

Ages 6-8
The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola
In this introduction to clouds, children learn about the different types of clouds and how they make rain and snow. An added plus to this book is the inclusion of wonderful cloud legends.

Wind by Marion Dane Bauer
This story follows a young girl as she explores her world and learns what wind is, how it is used by plants, birds, and people, and how wind can become a storm.

Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
While collecting the ingredients for her grandmother’s famous “thunder cake,” a young girl learns to overcome her fear of storms.

Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons
Colorful illustrations and simple language teach children interesting weather facts.

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse
This story captures the magic and joy of a sudden rainstorm on a swelteringly hot day.

Ages 9-11
Storms: Facts, Stories, and Activities by Jenny Wood
Every type of stormy weather is addressed in this informative book. It also includes a glossary of weather terms and weather experiments.

Hurricane Hunters by Sandy Roydhouse
Hurricane hunters warn people about the strength and speed of hurricanes so they can get to safety. This book teaches readers about this dangerous but beneficial field of work, and also presents information on other methods of predicting the weather.

Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Patricia Lauber
All the latest scientific facts about earthquakes and volcanoes are presented along with 30 exciting photos.

Sergio and the Hurricane by Alexandra Wallner
As the sky grows dark and the ocean becomes wild, Sergio must work with his family to prepare for the coming hurricane. Through Sergio’s experiences, readers learn about hurricanes and the effect they can have on people and communities.