Product Description

With winds that can reach speeds of three hundred miles an hour and funnel clouds that can measure a mile in diameter, tornadoes leave enormous damage in their wake.

Now award-winning author Seymour Simon examines these twisting columns of air and destruction.With the clear, concise style he is noted for, Simon explains how tornadoes are formed, why and when they are most likely to occur, how scientists classify and track them -- and what to do if one touches down. Spectacular full-color photographs show this powerful phenomenon in action.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2000--selected by Natn'l Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13990 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-01
• Released on: 2001-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780064437912
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8An entry in a handsome series that includes Storms (1989), Weather (1993), and Lightning (1997, all Morrow), Tornadoes focuses on one of natures most violent and spectacular phenomena. Large, riveting, full-color photos show a threatening sky, meteorologists at work, a variety of tornadoes (from an eerily ethereal waterspout to an appalling monster), and the resultant chaotic shredding of human possessions in the storms paths. Simons clear, well-organized text discusses the weather conditions necessary to spawn these violent storms; how they form; where they are most likely to occur; and how scientists predict, rate, and track them. He also describes some of the major tornadoes recorded in the U.S. and includes weather maps and a diagram. Even if you own Franklyn Branleys simpler Tornado Alert (Crowell, 1988) or Stephen Kramers more detailed Tornado (Carolrhoda, 1992), make room on your shelves for Simons standout view of a cataclysmic manifestation.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The newest in Simon's excellent series on natural disasters, which includes books on volcanoes, earthquakes, and lightning, is as dramatic and informative as the previous titles. Simon explains how and why tornadoes form, how they behave, how scientists predict and track them, and what safety measures should be taken if a tornado is sighted. Incredible full-color photographs and diagrams, clearly portraying the different formations and devastating power of the windstorms, complement the text perfectly. A must for middle-grade students researching the subject, the book is sure to appeal to browsers as well. Chris Sherman

About the Author

Seymour Simon has been called "the dean of the [children's science book] field" by the New York Times. He has written more than 250 books for young readers and is the recipient of the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. He is also the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science's/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature. Mr. Simon lives in Great Neck, New York.

Customer Reviews

Tornadoes
This book was very interesting. It is filled with lots of facts and great pictures. Seymore Simon is a great writer. If you want to learn about Tornadoes definitly pick up this book. It is a GREAT book.

Good explanations, nice pictures. Good, but not excellent book.
This is a good book to explain tornadoes to your early elementary age children. There are good explanations of how tornadoes form, the "typical" tornado, where they most commonly occur, the classification of tornadoes, warning signs, safety measures, etc. Also, there are a few examples of specific tornadoes given. And, there are some nice photos. This is a good book to cover this topic.

As for why I rated it a 4-star instead of 5, the book just lacked that "wow factor" for me that makes a book go from good to outstanding. It also might have been nice to see a timeline for a specific tornado, or a photo progression of one specific tornado to see how they develop.

Great book, great pictures
Though this book is definitely for older kids, above 1st grade, it has some awesome pictures. The descriptions were very nice and as with most books about tornadoes has great information about what to do and not to do if you are in the path of a tornado.