Lively illustrations accompany historical anecdotes about what people used to think about what caused the weather - and what we've learned since. (On occasion, there's a nod to old wisdom, such as the phrase "red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors' delight," which bears out.) The final pages shift from weather to climate, concluding, "Some people still think global warming is a myth. Boy, are they wrong!" Rather than ending on a down note, however, the last suggestion is, "Maybe when you grow up, you could be one of the scientists who makes us all say, 'Boy, were were wrong about the weather!'" Back matter includes a "time line for weather science" and two websites for more information (NASA and NOAA), but no index. ( )

This book is a history book about weather; what did previous civilizations believe about weather? After each historical recount of weather beliefs and superstitions, the factual science we know about today's weather is presented. Ancient Greece and China are discussed, explorers from Spain, and even sailors of old. Weather facts are presented with colorful and detailed illustrations to support the science that we have come to discover and the myths we've debunked. The book also has portions of predictable text, "boy, were we wrong" or "boy were they wrong" that can help involve students in reading.
Media: pencil and digital graphics
Genre: Picture books, Historical fiction due to the nature of weather myths and beliefs that the book is centered on proving wrong through current factual scientific discoveries ("The ancient Chinese thought that if a dragonfly was seen flying up and down instead of sideways, it meant rain was coming"). ( )