I Am Wind: An Autobiography

by Rachel Poliquin, Rachel Wada (illustrator)

In this beautifully illustrated mock-autobiography for middle-grade readers, Wind speaks directly to the reader, telling fascinating stories that show their cultural, historical and technical importance to humans.

Make no Wind is not shy or humble. Wind is violent, impulsive, arrogant and unpredictable — now playing with a kite, then tearing down a forest.  

With the help of diagrams and fact-filled sidebars, Wind explains what causes the air to move, describes their favorite forms (katabatics, hurricanes, tornadoes) and shows how they influence the landscape (sand dunes, wind power). Readers will come to know the full breadth of Wind's physical, historical and psychological presence. Moving seamlessly between science, history and myth, this book is an engrossing and unique look at an elemental force.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Middle Grade, Science, Childrens, Poetry

80 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I turn the pages of "I Am Wind," I am impressed with the depth of color splashed or "splayed" across the pages in bold sweeping motion with lines that give rise to wailing winds fiercely blowing across the land, and of the gentle touch of a breeze of wind as it caresses one comforting and relaxing and uplifting.

Wind is a wild thing as well as a gentle friend. In this book the author and illustrator introduce young readers to the many faceted face of the wind. How it gentles across the land and how it howls in destruction. How the uplift of wind currents and the down flow off the tops of mountains effect the weather not just locally but globally.

Man's knowledge of the wind has grown through history, and historically man has explained his perception of the wind in the stories or legends and myths of fierce Gods casting the wind about. And in today's understanding, man can actually see the sweep of the wind across the globe through the eyes of technology.

A nice introductory book that takes the young reader on a wind-swept breeze through the story of the wind.

I received a complimentary copy through the LibraryThing.com Early Reviewers Program.

[Cheryl]

Gorgeous. History, science, poetry, mythology, etc. Advises cautions and also celebrates. I learned some interesting things as I skimmed, like about the tornado in Bangladesh in 1989 that killed ~ 1300 people! I wish I had the energy & time to read the whole thing, but I'm glad that this is in libraries for the wonderful young nerds who do.

January 2025

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is BEAUTIFUL. Poetry, science, culture, folklore, history artwork. This book is a perfect example of how to use a multitude of genres to teach a concept.  A quintessential hybrid text. 
First of all, Wind is personified. It is the main character of the text. Wind tells us their story through poetry:" I Am Wind/I whistle. I howl/I'll steal your hat, your house, your kitten, your kite/ I whisper whisper whisper secrets in the leaves…I am the Great Rushing in All Directions" (Poliquin). Wind is portrayed as a beautiful, gentle friend and destructive enemy. 
Wind also tells us their story through history with little "Wind Chronicles," which describe types of winds in various cultures and record historical events of destruction and peril caused by tornados and storms.
Wind also charmingly tells of its characteristics directly (as if in an extended character sketch): how it is created, the types of wind forces, how man has harnessed Wind for its own uses (sailing, wind farms), how it is perceived in mythology, and its multitude of names in various cultures.
Throughout all of this wonderful poetry, prose, and information are the most beautiful paintings in the most vibrant colours. A multitude of lessons could be created from the artwork alone.
For educators and families with young children, I am Wind: An Autobiography is a delightful addition to your library. It's not just informative; it's engaging and absolutely beautiful. This book will captivate your little ones, making learning a fun and interactive experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the free copy.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open this book and you will be swept away. . .

I Am Wind: An Autobiography written by Rachel Poliquin, and illustrated by Rachel Wada is a fresh new way to think about something you rarely think about in your regular, daily life: the wind, the breeze that tousles your hair, that brings the fragrance of your lilacs up your nostrils, and plants the dandelions in your lawn. Even more endearing is that Wind has been personified, and so this entire book is their message to you, Human, to remind you that we are part of each other.

I read this today with my visiting grandson - who is 11. I told him this was a review of a book that is going to be coming out soon, and that we have an opportunity to let the world know what we think about it. We read it over two sessions, he'd read a page, and then me. We'd discuss the concepts and subjects - science, mythology, latitude and longitude, the Fujita and Beaufort scales, sand and dust. We both learned new things. So many flavors of wind: katabatic, foehn, Maori, Santa Ana, how twisters begin and the power of tornados are explained in detail. Grandson enjoyed the "Chronicles" where Wind holds forth in a lyrical way on aspects of air movement and its interaction with humanity that felt like a letter to us.

An absolute delight - fresh and new way to think of this ancient partner of ours. We especially enjoyed reading this to each other one page at a time.

*A sincere thank you to Rachel Poliquin, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*

[Eunice R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thumb's up for this extra-ordinary, educational children's book! It is so fascinating and it feels like the author is so in-tune with young readers, knowing just the correct tweak to grab and hold their attention. The personification of the wind, interspersed with easy-to-read and understand, more formal blurbs, coupled with fantastic illustrations makes this work a definite masterpiece!

I had no idea how many breezes and blasts of winds, and winds of varying names there are. It is so interesting to learn of the different people groups from earlier times and their names for wind; their stories, legends and beliefs about wind and so on. The book tells of the different measures of intensity of wind; of harnessing the wind for windmills and other work; of playing with wind, such as making it fly kites and much more.

The most interesting part for me was learning about the "Singing Sands," when wind and sand play together and sing, for good or not so good results. The list of key terms related to wind at book's end will help round out the scholastic input. In my opinion, there's not a single dull page in the book!

A certain 5-STAR rating from me!

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

May 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Pat Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone --I Am Wind: An Autobiography—lets the reader know right off the bat that this nonfiction title written by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Rachel Wada offers a POV treat. Yes, this 72-page tome about all things wind is indeed narrated by none other than the winds themselves. A magnificent windblown cover sporting child with windblown hair ushers readers into a unique blend of genres. The book includes poems, info about wind gods, clear in-depth scientific explanations about air movement, wind power, and various kinds of winds, as well as historical tidbits about wind disasters across the ages and stories about wind in literature.

From the matt finish pages to Rachel Wada’s rich but subtle color palette and use of swirls embodying the wind, it is a beautiful book. As well as an enjoyable book to read straight through, it’s a book teachers can reach for again and again to share across the curriculum.

[Kelsie Carlson (Alaskan.BookDragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a book that is so well made it is a joy to hold and flip the pages. The paper is nice and thick and it is well bound. The illustrations are both lovely and captivating, something that will reach multiple age groups.

As a homeschool Mom I particularly like how this book is a blend of history, science, culture, poetry and mythology. I found it a interesting read for myself to! This book delivers information in bite sized chunks that is great for the younger readers. It does a good job of tying it all together in a very beautiful and informative book about wind.

I however did not care for the way it lauds wind power, something that is a huge pollutant with the non recyclable blades, not to mention detrimental to wild life. That part of the book felt one sided, but it was only a page and easy to talk through with the kids. The last line of the book that "You are a part of me, I am a part of you" is bothersome. The book tells us all about the science of what wind is, tells us the myths and such and explains they are myths, then ending with a mystical line makes very little sense.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. My opinions, as always, are my own.

[KidLitScienceClass · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best picture books out there about wind. This clever book presents all the necessary information about wind while also using poetry and creative writing to give wind a striking personality. Facts are presented through narrative and in labeled pictures. Beautiful, fanciful drawings will appeal to imaginative students. The illustrator uses rich colors and sweeping brush lines to convey the invisible. The book details all the different names that humans have given to winds around the world. Separate sections called "Wind Chronicles" convey famous wind events in history. It's a long book, not suited to reading straight through with students. Instead, pick and choose sections that apply to the lesson being taught, or use as a way to peak student interest prior to a unit on air and wind.

[Lex Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle whirlwind, this nonfiction book is written from the perspective of the wind itself. It informs readers of the stories and science behind it while sharing thoughts and lessons it wants readers to take away. The billowing text carries you through time and space, renders scientific explanations into easily understandable concepts, shares mythos and beliefs from across the world, and then some. The illustrations are truly some of the most breathtaking, sweeping pieces of art I've seen in a while. There's a lot to learn here, but I guarantee you'll breeze through it.

[Kim Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, informative book. I absolutely loved the folklore stories from many different countries. So much information was given with regards to the phenomenon of Wind. The poetry portions were moving and sparked a wonderful visual for the reader as well.
This book would be amazing for homeschoolers, Science classrooms to give a much more in depth look into wind or to just add to your home library and read on a windy day.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.
Beautifully illustrated "autobiography" of wind. Poliquin personifies wind and shares information through poetry, informative text, folklore, myths, etc. Readers learn how wind shapes our planet and how it circulates the globe. By adopting this style, the author gives readers so much to learn and think about while keeping them entertained too.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a wonderful “autobiography” of wind and everything it’s capable of. Beautiful illustrations combined with the informational, historical, and mythological perspectives provide a well-rounded portrait of the wind as well as entertain the reader. I would recommend this book to the middle grade readers.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical, beautiful, educational, and fun autobiography of the wind. The wind tells us through poems, stories, and straightforward narration, how its many forms have shaped and affected the world and its peoples. From gentle breezes to destructive typhoons and tornados, from myths around the world to scientific facts, this book is a unique tribute to a natural phenomenon that permeates so much of our lives.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of poetry. It called itself an autobiography, and I do think it fits. You have the poetry, but then you also have information about sometimes true events or names of the wind or things that happen because of the wind. This was very well done and the illustrations are really eye-catching.

[R. Condon]

Want to read a book written by the Wind itself? Sure you do! In this book, Wind will tell you all about itself, from scientific explanations of how it works to myths it features in to historical events it was a part of. With lush art and prose that edges on verse, this is an easily digestible book with a little bit of something for everyone.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be honest. I didn’t realize winds were predictable/patterned/moved in certain ways. In hindsight I can recognize hearing them discussed in that way, but I never looked into it myself. This book is fascinating and I have a much better understanding of our atmosphere and how wind shapes (literally) our planet. I also had to do some side research dives, which is always a good sign for me!

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book with a lot of fun science facts about wind, as well as stories about wind from around the world. I found the text a bit jumpy at times as it alternated between fact and legend, but it was still an interesting read.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entrancing blend of art, poetry, myth, story, and science.

[Un · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique way to share facts about the wind. Four stars.

[L M]

A wonderful presentation of the science of wind, poetic and beautifully written and illustrated

[Judy Ripke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful autobiography (as told by the Wind) that includes poetry, science, culture, folklore, and history. Stunning illustrations!