Synopsis
Why do tornadoes happen? Where is "Tornado Alley"? How can you keep safe from a tornado? Explore the world of Wild Weather to find out! Read about the forces of nature, from the power of a hurricane to the scorching temperatures of a heat wave. Discover what makes weather go wild, and learn how we react to the worst that nature can throw at us. Tornado looks at the violent, twisting winds that can destroy anything in their path. You will find out where and how they happen and the impact they have on people around the world. How do people cope with these mighty twisters?
Eva Elisabeth VonAnckenCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal
Gr 2-4
These formulaic and oversimplified titles use a scattershot approach to their subjects. In the first book, readers are told that blizzards are very fierce snowstorms and that they usually happen in winter. The city of Philadelphia is singled out for its 2005 storm. Heat Wave gives repeated advice about drinking plenty of water. After noting that heat waves often happen in places far from large bodies of water, an illustration shows a Mediterranean scene. In Hurricane , the emphasis is on the possible damage, with a few illustrations of Katrina. In Tornado , a basic definition is given as a spinning funnel of wind resulting in a lot of damage. In the limited glossary, debris is defined only as relating to tornadoes. Mention is made of Tornado Alley but only Oklahoma is discussed. In a section entitled "More Books to Read," each volume lists two titles, one of which is repeated in several volumes. The other is by the publisher of this set. The "Fact File" in each book offers two to three basic facts, one of which is usually about the numbers of deaths in a given event. The photos, although clear and often dramatic, have few relevant captions and do not aid in understanding the subjects under discussion. Pass on this set.