Kids and Teen Blog
Let it snow!
by Siobhan
January 25, 2010
With less than three weeks until the Olympics, out here in Vancouver we're wishing for snow...
Saskatchewan was just blanketed in the white stuff, but here on the coast, the hills are still looking barren... some cherry blossoms have even started blooming! There was some snowfall up at Cypress mountain over the weekend, but according to Environment Canada, it's not going to last, as temperatures rise and the snow turns into rain.
Talking about the weather is a typically Canadian trait ("Cold enough for ya?") - and we especially love talking about snow...
If you're curious about the science of the white stuff, have a look at The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino, with Jon Nelson, Ph.D.
The book has received lots of recognition and praise from parents, teachers and librarians:
- Awarded the 2010 NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (A cooperative project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children's Book Council (CBC))
- Awarded a 2009 Blue Ribbon in the Nonfiction category by The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
- Included on New York Public Library's List of 100 titles for Reading and Sharing - 2009
- Was a 2009 Junior Library Guild Selection
"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." - Booklist, Starred Review
"Libraries in areas where snow falls will definitely want to add this title to their collections, but it would enhance lessons on weather anywhere." - School Library Journal"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." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
You can read part of the book online:
Also be sure to visit The Science of Snow website - StoryOfSnow.com - and download a Teacher's Guide (PDF) for the book, which includes lesson plans for Science classes, as well as Language Arts, Music and Art.
But even after you've learned the science of snow, I'd still recommend keeping your fingers crossed for some snow to fall before the Olympics!