Floods: The Science Behind Raging Waters and Mudslides

Children's Literature - Heather L. Montgomery

Using several North American disasters as examples, Floods provides information on the causes and effects of floods. The text presents significant science content on cloud formation, air pressure systems and thunderstorms. It includes information on water flow, absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces, ground saturation and tsunamis. The book also provides tips about flood safety, prevention and control. The use of the 2005 landslide in La Conchinta, California and the hurricane in New Orleans as examples imparts a sense of realism and value to the scientific content. Photographs of flood damage complement the text on most pages. Sections about melting snow and drought help readers understand the cyclic nature of floods while a section adressing dam failures provides a perspective on human-induced floods. Sidebars include fun information such as how New Orleans could be built below sea level and why beavers build dams. The backmatter, which includes chapter notes, a thorough glossary, a list of books and internet resources and an index, will be particularly helpful to the student conducting research. Floods is part of the series, "The Science Behind Natural Disasters." Reviewer: Heather L. Montgomery