Gr 3-4–Describing planetary conditions using a familiar weather-report format, this narrative romps its way through the solar system. Starting with the Sun–“active today, with dark sunspots scattered across the surface like polka dots”–the reports cover conditions on each planet and their effect on science-fiction travelers and commuters. Earth is described as “the Goldilocks planet: not too hot, not too cold, its nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere-based climate is just right!” The illustrations amplify the humorous text–one year on Uranus lasts 84 Earth years, and its seasons change about every 21 of our years. The calendar on the bulletin board shows the years 2007 through 2027 crossed off for Spring Break. A Morton Salt-like girl with umbrella and dog illustrates the 100 percent chance of methane-rain on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Every page is fun to read, and every illustration invites readers in for a close examination, especially the grinning green weather guy. The “For Creative Minds” section summarizes and compares scientific data about each planet in a more down-to-earth, serious tone. Fun and informative.
– Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
This book offers up a unique quest of the solar system and its planets, a fascinating topic for young children. The space weatherman explains the basic features to be presented and warns of the range of possibilities from hot to clear and cold. Planets are introduced on individual spreads, and the text is brief and concise, but informative. Illustrations are bold and bright, adding to the reader’s understanding. Older readers will appreciate the descriptions of the extreme conditions and temperatures of the various planets as well as the comparative tables featured. Classroom teachers will find the suggestions for projects on the solar system inviting, and the publisher’s link for additional activities highly useful. School librarians should consider this book for their collection because of its wide audience appeal and the extras that are included. Sheila Acosta, Children’s Librarian, Cody Library, San Antonio, Texas [Editor’s Note: Available in e-book format and paperback.] RECOMMENDED
A friendly, green-skinned TV weatheralien (he calls himself a "weatherman" in the text) begins withd the Sun (“active today, with dark sunspots scattered across the surface…”) and moves on to each planet in turn. There are additional reports for the moon Titan (“a 100% chance of very chilly methane-rain drizzle today!”) and the dwarf planet Pluto. Klein provides painted scenes featuring space-suited commuters, melted or frozen science gear and views of prominent storms, from a hurricane on Earth to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Readers in search of specific highs, lows and other meteorological data will be well served by the charts, tables, diagrams, quizzes and other enrichment material both at the end and online on the publisher’s site.
A story book about planetary meteorology? Yes! And a really fun one, too. Kelly Kizer Whitt's text is in the voice of a weather reporter, giving the day's forecast for airy bodies across the solar system, warning of dust devils on Mars and methane drizzle on Titan. The pencil drawings of Laurie Allen Klein are also fun, featuring rover weather reporters on Mars and snowman-building robots on Pluto. Back pages contain denser facts and a couple of questions to make kids think.
This is another book for older children - I'd say 5 1/2 and up. Connor wasn't ready for it yet bet I think he will be soon. I personally loved how this book talks about the weather conditions on all the planets in the solar system beginning with Mercury and going all the way to Pluto. There is a weather forecaster who advises the kids as though they are travelers across the solar system and the pictures actually show what the planet looks like (they are illustrated not actual pictures) - mars shows an orange planet and explains that it has pink sunsets, Saturn has mountains (they almost look like volcano's) and so on. This is a really neat book and if you have a child interested in outer space, aliens, the planets and moon - this would be a perfect book for them.
Firstly I loved this book because it still included Pluto as a planet! I know officially it has been demoted, but since I grew up with it as a planet I just can't replace that thought. I was excited to read this to the kids and find that they still had far off pluto. The weather on each planet is described and it really helps the kids get a feel for why earth is the only planet we can live on. The book was written in a very understandable way for kids ages 4-8 and a bit older. I know my 10 year old also really enjoyed this book and many of the teacher activities would be right up his alley.
Beautiful illustrations help you to visualize what the planet and weather may really be like. Bright and colorful, Laurie Allen Klein has done a fantastic job with all of the details.
Most kids always enjoy reading about “outer space.” Some planets have below-freezing temperatures, others have scorching heat, and a few have storms bigger than the planet Earth. Budding astronomers can find out which ones have what while chuckling at the humorous drawings by illustrator Laurie Allen Klein. They will also like the “For Creative Minds” learning activities, which include a “Solar System Compare and Contrast” exercise, further information about “The Sun: Heat and Light,” and “Thinking It Through: Life and Basic Needs.”
Solar System Forecast is a picture book by Kelly Kizer Whitt and illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein. Like the other Arbordale titles I've reviewed, this one goes above and beyond with resources galore. Space weather is the focus of this fun book, with a surprising meteorologist providing the forecast. The Arbordale website offers free printables to accompany the book, with lots of cross-curricular activities covering math, science, and language arts and experiments that kids can do at home. Solar System Forecast is more of a fact book than a storybook, with silly pictures to demonstrate the concepts, like the cute rover building a snowman on Pluto.
One of the things I loved about Solar System Forecast was the novel way they shared information about each planet. I have other books on planets and space and they try way to hard to have too many statistics on planets that are hard to grasp. Nothing entertaining about them. THIS book, however, shares the feel of the planet through a fictional weather-cast during the morning news.
This is a fun and interesting learning picture book for children. Read about the solar system compare and contract, learn about the heat and the light from the Sun and many more. I highly recommend this book for classroom teaching.
This is a great book for a child that is into space. My oldest daughter unfortunately is not. So it looks like I will not be sharing my love of all things space and science related with her. As a librarian I just loved this book. The pictures were great as well as the information that was presented. It was written in a way young kids 4+ can understand and was very interesting.
I found this book to be captivating on two points: 1) Ms. Whitt has provided just enough detail with age appropriate dialect which makes the story understandable for her young audience; and 2) Laurie Allen Klein’s illustrations have a beautiful balance of warmth together with eye-catching vibrancy to hold a child’s interest throughout the entire story. With this formula, they have successfully collaborated in developing an engaging story while achieving the intent: to educate their readership.
Solar System Forecast takes you on a journey with a weatherman who tells the weather of all of the planets. Children learn which planets are livable, which are windy, and even which one is raining methane. The book is enjoyable and teaches children along the way. In the 'For Creative Minds' section of the book, more learning and education is taught with a Solar System Compare and Contrast, The Sun: Heat and Light, and Thinking It Through: Life and Basic Needs.
The combination of witty writing and gorgeous visuals creates a fun read-aloud that will have kids coming back for more.
Page after page of helpful information in an attractive easy-to-read, easy-to-understand format designed for children. The children learn about the importance of the weatherman, especially when there is a special event that is scheduled. One by one, the sun and planets take their turn. Our Earth, is identified as "the Goldilocks of the Planets" because it is "not too hot, not too cold, its nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere-based climate is just right" Special emphasis is given to the "Solar Weather Channel" This is a fine and recommended book as an introduction to the Solar System.