The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

Photographer Marc Cassino explores his passion for snow in this debut picture-book, written together with physicist Jon Nelson. From the origin of snow crystals in tiny specks - of dust, ash, even pollen - around which are built ever more complex structures of ice, through a discussion of the different types of crystal possible - star-shaped dendrites, plate crystals, column crystals - The Story of Snow has everything a budding young scientist needs to know about this cold white stuff! The book even includes an afterword providing instructions on catching snowflakes, in order to examine them.

Informative, engaging, and very, very beautiful - I loved Mark Cassino's up-close photographs of snow crystals! - this is the kind of science book show more that even those readers resistant to science will enjoy! I was particularly struck by the fact that snow crystals owe their existence - like pearls - to the introduction of tiny particles into otherwise "pristine" environments, demonstrating (for me, anyway) yet again that imperfection leads to great beauty. Highly recommended to all snow lovers, and to all young readers with an interest in science! show less

I am a science nerd, though not a very well educated one. So, this book thrilled me. All throughout the book there are photographs of actual snow crystals (magnified of course.)

The book tells in detail how snow crystals form, and I found the information fascinating. At the end, there’s a project about how to catch your own snow crystals, which could make for a fun and educational activity.

I also highly recommend the book Snowflake Bentley. Reading the two books at about the same time would allow each one to enhance the experience of the other.

Description:
This book tells the story of how a snowflake is formed, beginning with the temperature and moisture levels at the cloud level and concluding with how multiple snow crystals form together to make a snow flake. The book includes a flowchart that shows how a snow crystal begins as a spec that develops as more and more water vapor sticks to the spec. The book also includes many up close pictures of snow flakes and concludes with a section on how to catch and view your own snowflakes.

Personal reaction:
This book provides a simple yet informative view into how a snowflake is created. The book is fully of quality pictures of up-close snowflakes and uses diagrams to make the development of the snowflake more comprehensible for the show more young reader.
I also like how there is a "how-to" at the end of the book as this invites the reader to take learning into their own hands and to make observations on a naturally occurring phenomenon.

Keywords/science topics:
snow, water vapor, gas, liquid, frozen (ice), shapes, weather

A couple of uses:
- During a weather unit, read this book to the class and then discuss where in the world it is most likely to snow and why.
- Use this book to introduce a discussion on the three states of water.
- After introducing this book to the class and discussing the geometrical patterns of snow crystals, use geometric blocks to create and mimic the hexagonal pattern of snowflakes. show less

A great book that teaches children about how snow crystals form and why it snows in certain parts of the world. Sometimes seasons and weather changes can be confusing for young children so this is a good informational book for kids. I also noticed that the illustrations caught my eye because of all the wonderful painted snow and winter depictions. I would implement this in my classroom by reading it right around Christmas time when it is chilly and possibly snowing outside.

Genre: Informational

Summary: In an engaging and informative book, readers can learn all about snow crystals- how they are formed, the different types, and how they combine to create snowflakes.

Review: I love this book! The pictures are beautiful and descriptive. The words are are clear and understandable, yet not basic. It covers a lot of detail, and can serve as an excellent resource in the classroom.

In thirteen simple sentences,

"This is the story of snow.
Snow begins with a speck. ... ,"

The Story of Snow explains the science behind the snowflake. But there is more to this book - smaller print on each page offers a more detailed explanation of the simpler text,

"Clouds are mostly made of air and water, but there are also bits of other things, like tiny particles of dirt, ash and salt...A snow crystal needs one of these "specks" to start growing."

Accompanying this short (32-page) "story," are diagrams, watercolor backdrops, and striking photographs of snowflakes. Directions for catching snow crystals wrap up the book.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder follows a trend that I've seen a lot lately in children's show more non-fiction. The book is almost as multi-faceted as the snowflakes it describes - picture book, science book, story book, activity book. The simpler text may be read as a story to young listeners. Older children will benefit from the more detailed explanation. Everyone will enjoy the stunning photography. Teachers should like this one! show less

This informational book is about the "life" of snow. It contains very detailed, beautiful pictures that really help the reader understand how snow is formed and all the different ways they can look.
I would definitely recommend this book to children of elementary age and even middle school age. It was very well written in a way young people can understand and really learn cool things about snow that one most likely does not know. It also has pictures that are really helpful and beautiful and eye-catching. It also gave an idea for a project at the end that would be really neat for a child to do to see, first hand, what snow flakes look like and how intricate they really are.