Hurricane Watch

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Astronomer Emeritus, former chairman of the American MuseumHayden Planetarium, Branley established the outstanding Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series and he has written approximately 100 accessible, informative books for eager readers. The author's report on the phenomenon of hurricanes will satisfy little children who want to know what happens, and why, when the ruinous storms strike. Illustrated by Maestro's colorful and striking scenes of the hurricane's raging progress, the text explains first that winds traveling faster than 74 miles per hour cause the blows in August, September and October. There are maps and diagrams with data on winds rising to 175 mph, sea water up to 24 feet higher, houses smashed flat, trees uprooted and carried off, etc. There is advice included on listening for warnings and following safety directions well in advance of the hurricane's blast. (48)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 Basic information about hurricanes in a brief, heavily illustrated format well-suited to early elementary school children. Branley describes hurricane formation, paths and destructive power using short sentences and colorful vocabulary. The descriptions don't include the real-life stories found in books on hurricanes for grades four and up, but this is more than made up for in the illustrations, which clearly convey the pounding force of the hurricane winds and water. The illustrations are also well-keyed to the text and employ such effective devices as comic strip-style sequencing. Branley and Maestro are to be lauded for effectively portraying the inherent drama of a hurricane as they explain the science behind such a storm and provide common-sense safety advice. Jonathan R. Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Lib . , Lynnwood, Wash.