Tornadoes

Children's Literature

Information about "Natural Disasters" will attract young and reluctant readers to this series. In this title, the introduction recaps the deadly Tri-State Tornado of 1925. Subsequent chapters, all liberally illustrated with full color photographs, discuss how tornadoes get started, and when and where they strike. The text describes the different shapes and sizes that tornadoes take, and just looking at the picture of a multi-vortex tornado should inspire awe. Scientists have made great strides in understanding this weather phenomena and have even developed a computer model. Readers will also learn that waterspouts are tornadoes that occur over lakes and oceans and much more in this slim but engaging and informative book. A two-page, full-color world map of the US shows the location and dates of the deadliest tornadoes. There is a glossary and short reading list, pointers to web sites and an index. 2000, Children's Press, $19.00. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot