Flurry, Float, and Fly!: The Story of a Snowstorm

by Laura Purdie Salas, Chiara Fedele (illustrator)

Explore the science of snow in this informative picture book with a lyrical read-aloud from award-winning author and poet Laura Purdie Salas.

Stars and columns fill the sky
with dreams to flurry, float, and fly.

When the first flakes of snow swirl toward the ground, it almost feels like magic. But in fact, it's a delicate process where cold air and moisture high in the sky work together to create tiny crystals that grow into sparkling snowflakes.

Laura Purdie Salas's accessible, poetic text and Chiara Fedele's breathtaking art present the science behind snow and revel in the wonder of winter weather. Follow as the weather sets the stage for a glowing, snowy morning full of flakes that flurry, float, and fly!

An author's note delves deeper into the science of snow, making the book an excellent choice for classroom lessons on weather and seasons.

There's more to explore! Also read Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Poetry, Science, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous and I read this at the perfect time of year between fall and winter. The writing itself felt rather stilted.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed an ARC and there were no conditions given for a positive review. I do tend to lean towards positive on advanced readers just because I don’t want to tank a book before it even begins. This book though deserves all 5stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 We live where we have snow 9 months of
The year and we love a good snow book.

I loved the poetic flow and the artistry of the pictures.

Wyatt age 7 “Is that an ice queen palace! “ 🧊 about one of the pictures.

We often take for granted living in the snow and appreciated the authors notes in the back of the book.

Aiyanna age 12 “the pictures were superior.”

Natalia age 15 “I think it rhymed well”

Jasmine age 8 “ I liked how it was dry first and then got snowy.”

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful picture book about snow! So many positives attributes:
-the delightful illustrations - the colors of the sky the day after the snow storm, the animals hibernating and more
-the explanation of how snow flakes are formed on a child's level of understanding - making this an excellent read-aloud (and discussion starter)
-finding simple happiness in the magic of snowfall with family and friends,
-the appendix The Science of Snow that includes examples of shapes of snow flakes
- the further exploration information
Well done!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet rhyming picture book marveling in the coming of a snowstorm, and the aftermath: sledding and snowplay! Bonus material in the back: The Science of Snow, sources and a list of websites for further exploration.

Themes: winter, snow, stories that rhyme
Ages: 2-3rd grade (or share a few pages/simplify for littles)
Pub year: 2025

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was such a love letter to snow but also very scientific. I love how Salas mixed those two aspects together. The illustrations are stunning and the text is reverent and lyrical. I'm not confident that my students will appreciate all that I do in the book but I still really liked it myself.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this book! Salas perfectly describes how snow forms in easy to understand language for kids that rhymes! That's an amazing skill. Science, rhyme, and Fedele's stunning art make this a book kids (and adults) will want to read again and again.

[A.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story, good for prek kiddos

[Jinx of the desert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of winter's cold bite,
snow falling so light.

A child's dream,
lit by the ice cold gleam.

Sprinkled with facts
it leaves quite the impact.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all -- the science of snow storms and snowflakes, poetry, in-depth back matter, endpapers that move the story along, and the JOY of a much-anticipated snowfall!

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I look forward to bringing this to my music classes to add dramatic melodies and sound effects, led by student idea and direction.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really pretty lyrical language to describe what happens when it snows in a non-fiction way. There is a second layer of a fictional story with kids wishing for snow.