How Do Meteorologists Predict the Future?: A Science Book About Meteorology

by Lisa Spencer, Srimalie Bassani (Illustrator)

Have you ever wondered how meteorologists on TV predict the weather? A basic explanation of weather instruments, forecasting, and so much more is explored through diagrams, illustrations, and informative and engaging text in this new addition to the How Do series. Includes fun weather activities and a glossary!

About the How Do These fully-illustrated nonfiction picture books are a great introduction to various STEM topics. Each title includes facts and figures, simple diagrams and hilarious illustrations and is written in a question-and-answer format to encourage readers to ask questions and guess the answers before exploring the science behind the correct answers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonfiction written by a real broadcast meteorologist in a way that all of us can understand! Important concepts and factual information about how meteorologists gather the information they need to help predict weather locally and more. It is filled with definitions and there are simple learning activities following a simple glossary.
The illustrations by Srimalie Bassani are fun, complex, clear, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Flowerpot Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
author Lisa Spencer The Weather Lady #STEAM
Srimalie Bassani (illustrator) #Age7to10Years

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meteorologists gather data by sending up weather balloons, satellites, and taking readings from the ground. Then they can predict how the weather will change by using complex math and computer programs to analyze the data. They use many different weather instruments to measure temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and barometric pressure.

This is such a fun book! I love the cute illustrations and funny characters. The information is clearly explained step by step in a playful way that makes it memorable. There is even a science experiment at the back of the book that you can do to create your own thunderstorm in a plastic jar. You can also do a craft to make your own weather vane!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! But I am a weather watcher: My co-workers in WV gave me a book about the Weather Station and a tee from the weather station because I was monitoring the weather for my co-workers to commute into various places in the tristate (MD, WV, VA). In IN, I outbid others at a fundraiser to win an hour tour at the local TV station led by the meteorologists. (He gave me a two hour tour because I was so invested / fascinated.)

And this book DELIVERS!

It combines images and text to introduce young readers (7 to 10 is the stated audience, but I learned a lot of new things).

Topics include (but this is not exhaustive):

Layers of the atmosphere (such as atroposphere)
Weather instruments (such as an anemometer)
Detail on how a computer can get data transmitted between the triangulation of a weather satellite and a radionsande (attached to a weather balloon) and a ground satellite.
The orbits of various weather satellites
The function and prevalence in the US of ASOSs (Automated Surface Observing Stations)
Weather radar (and the work of Hulsmeyer and Doppler)
A Hook Echo
The criteria for classifying a thunderstorm as severe
More about weather balloons
Converting data into a forecast
The technical aspects of broadcasting the weather (green screens, weather graphics, and such)

Finally, the author herself (Lisa Spencer) is a meterologist, and she participates in a Q&A at the end.

The backmatter includes activities related to the weather and a glossary.

I can't wait to host a weather-related activity at my local public library (where I work part-time and have stewardship over the middle grade nonfiction books). Our library needs to purchase this book asap!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly entertaining picture book for direct instruction. Generally, even with nonfiction books, authors are cautioned not to come off as "teaching" but this fully embraces instruction, from the title onward to the back matter and even endpapers. The cartoon-style illustrations and occasional speech bubbles (always instructive, but with a light touch) lift what could have been overwhelming expository text into digestible segments that actually build understanding and engagement. Sidebars and labeled science diagrams lend to that understanding.

Kids are seriously curious about weather and can devour this on their own, but the subject matter is often a part of classroom study, too. This is a resource that should not be missed (I would have loved to have it on my shelves while still in the classroom!).

It's one of the many nonfiction books for kids that adults will welcome as a source to answer a lifetime of their own questions about weather and forecasting.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer presents an interesting look at how meteorologists analyze data and predict the weather. Kids will learn about various methods used for collecting information, along with much about the weather itself. Illustrations by Srimalie Bassani add to the fun. The book ends with some projects and experiments kids can try.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flowerpot Press for sharing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember as a child wondering why my parents and other adults in my life were always talking about the weather. As I grew older, I also started to be interested in it, and now, I almost always make note of it and find it sort of a common conversational topic for just about any occasion, even meeting new people. With charmingly amusing artwork that adds a layer of interest to the book and the topic, this children's book introduces third, fourth, and fifth graders to the topic of meteorology. Parts of the book focus on the instruments that are helpful to meteorologists and what sort of information they provide. Additionally, readers learn about the Doppler radar, weather balloons, radiosondes, and following wind and precipitation movement on maps and how those help weather forecasters make accurate predictions. It's clear that forecasts require quite a lot of research and homework before anyone tries to determine what tomorrow's weather will be. Weather fans will also enjoy the two activities at the end of the book--making a thunderstorm and a weathervane. All of this is cool stuff that can make a science lesson or unit on the weather come to life.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Do Meteorologists Predict the Future? is a very colorful, well illustrated, and informative book about meteorology. As a parent, I did feel like the writing was trying too hard to be "cool" and relatable to kids. I would prefer a more concise delivery. The content was a bit much for my first grader, but I think this would be a great fit for upper elementary or middle schoolers with an interest in weather and meteorology.

Thank you to Flowerpot Press for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.