Snow Is Falling

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1

by Franklyn Mansfield Branley, Holly Keller (Illustrator)

An exploration of the world of snow, including experiments and activities for cold winter days.

Snow is falling. Snow is wonderful—for sledding, for skiing, and for building snowmen. But did you know that snow can actually keep things warm? Find out how snow helps plants, animals, and people to survive. But when a blizzard blows, watch out! The snow that is so useful can be dangerous too.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, 1st Grade, Christmas, Nature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting facts about snow.

[Caroline Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

o Summary: This book is 100% about snow. It tells about when it is falling. It talks about what snow is and the different flakes that it forms into. It gives examples of things to do while playing in the snow. It mentions the effects that snow has on plants and animals. It even brings up thermometers and how they are used. It tells all the good things about snow. At the end of the book there are two pages that give information on how to learn more about snow.
o Grade level: 3rd
o Appropriate classroom use: This would be a great book to read during the winter around times that it is supposed to snow. Most kids do love the snow so they would love to have this book read to them.
o Individual students who might benefit from reading: Any student who would like to learn more about snow.
o Small group use: Have students go to the last page in the book titled "Snow Wed Sites To Visit" while sitting at the computer and do some research on snow.
o Whole class use: Go to the page that talks about the two snow experiments to try and do them as a whole class.
o Related books in genre/subject or content area: Any book about the weather in generla specifically snow could be used to correspond with this book! There are tons out there that can be used for any grade level. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader are good choices.
o Multimedia connections available: Tons of websites about snow like www.nws.noaa.gov and www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx.owlie.htm

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book about snow. Not just what it is but the importance of snow and the danger of too much snow. Includes experiments that children can try.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at what snow is, its structure, how snow is useful, and when it can be harmful.

A simple introduction to snow for littles that emphasizes how snow can be helpful for animals and plants and even humans. There's a brief acknowledgement that blizzards and flooding from snow melt can be issues for people and animals, but the primary emphasis is how snow is good for areas where animals hibernate and the ground needs to be ready for spring planting. There are some easy experiments included that kids can probably easily do (except maybe the one that requires you to bury a thermometer...not sure how many families have a non-digital thermometer any more). A nice, quick read for kids curious about snow and lower grade weather units.

[Christina/ The Blog for Teachers, Readers, & Life! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow is Falling (ages 3-8) by Franklyn M. Branley and illustrated by Holly Keller provide simple non-fiction explanations of what snow is, and what it does for the earth, people, animals, and plants. The illustrations show how each snowflake is different under a magnifying glass.
See my blog for other winter-themed children's books with curriculum activities for teachers Pr-K-5th grade. https://www.teacher-librarian-forlife...

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very pleasantly surprised with the depth of this book. It doesn't condescend to children, keeps messages in bite size bits, and actually gives multiple perspectives on snow. I was impressed with the scope. It even describes how snow is an insulator in some areas intended to keep things from getting too cold. It describes some of the issues when there is too much snow like potential flooding in the spring. Very well done and highly recommended for the astute pre-schooler.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about snow and what snow is good for. The irony will strike many kids to learn that snow actually helps to keep things warm in the winter and plants alive. Snow can make life harder in some cases, but it's also fun at times too.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching facts about snow. Students can use a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast what is good and bad about snow.

[Esther May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non fiction book written like a story so it kept my littles attention. Good introduction to snow.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations, which make excellent use of a limited color palette, are better than the text.

[LadyHague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good all around book about snow. How it works, 6 pointes snowflakes, playing, and sledding. My favorite part was sharing if and how snow is good for people as well as animals.

[Shannon Wunderlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very scientificly informative book with a feel of story telling. Good suggestion for experiments and reading about the same topic.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic facts, for all that they are rather older books.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a straightforward introductory science book intended for preschoolers. In it, the author describes some characteristics of snow (for example, snowflakes have six sides, they fall from clouds, and can be either powdery or wet) and its qualities (for example, it insulates the ground and can be used to make igloos, but can also be dangerous).

The text is readable and understandable for young explorers, and the illustrations are adequate, but not memorable. It engagingly invites children to interact with the element while providing larger categories for them to think about it. This makes an excellent public library checkout to build on (or prepare them for) direct experience with snow.

[Anna Chaddick]

Snow is Falling is all about...you guessed it snow. It describes what you can do in the snow as well as what the snow is good for. Snow is wonderful - for sledding, for skiing, and for building snowmen. I did like this book, but to me it was just average. It is a very easy read. On the other hand, I liked how it included experiments and activities that kids could do on days that it snowed. I thought that added a nice touch. This book could be used in a classroom when talking about weather and would be great to read to children that have never experienced snow before.

[Phuong Dao · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is talking about snow and the advantage of snow. Snow can protect plant, people, and animals. People in Alaska use snow to build houses sometime call igloo. When the snow melt it gives water for our wells, our stream, and our rivers. When the winter is over the snow melt and becomes water. It goes to the soil and help the plant grow. This book is a good book to teach children about science and the naature of snow.

[Margaret Chind]

[Eva Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best fact book ever about SNOW, and it's one of those ones that looks like a story.
Now here's a mystery. Snow is cold but it keeps things warm.
It looks like snow is good for all kinds of reasons, and not just because I like it. It's good for animals and plants and stuff too.
So yeah!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting that they reprinted this book in this form. I would like to see it and see if it is the same as the delightful 1963 edition that I have, complete with orange and green artwork!

[Erika Little]

2 copies

[Elanor]

All by herself!

[Kathryn Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book that would be used in teaching types of weather. Grades k-1

[Katherine Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid nonfiction book about school. Great for a snow-themed preschool storytime.