Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll

Rate this book
Did you know that lightning bolts can be over a mile long? Or that they may come from clouds that are ten miles high? Storms can be scary, but not if you know what causes them. Learn what causes the flash, crash, rumble, and roll of thunderstorms! 

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

4 people are currently reading
194 people want to read

About the author

Franklyn Mansfield Branley

160 books21 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
79 (32%)
4 stars
86 (35%)
3 stars
65 (26%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Luisa Knight.
3,219 reviews1,197 followers
July 29, 2025
I really like this series for the younger crowd. Particularly the vintage editions - the illustrations are so much better, in detail and art style.

This title goes through the water cycle. The info is just enough to not be overwhelming, and to stick with a 3 year old.

A win for early science!

Ages: 3 - 6

See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.

I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,294 reviews182 followers
January 18, 2022
Explains the basics of what causes a thunderstorm to develop, lightning, and thunder. It examines some of the hazards of thunderstorms and how to stay safe.

A simple but solid scientific intro to thunderstorms, lightning, and thunder for kids. It explains how thunder and lightning happen in ways easy for kids to grasp. There are some simple experiments in the back of the book for kids who like hands on science. A great resource for a lower grades weather unit, kids who are scared of storms, and curious little readers.
Profile Image for Melissa Namba.
2,226 reviews15 followers
October 1, 2019
Too complex for the target audience. The language is not simplified or written to be interesting. Its a little too detailed and uses words more advanced than is appropriate. The illustrations and level of diction not match.
Profile Image for Cynthia Varady.
Author 3 books12 followers
August 26, 2020
Filled with facts, diagrams, and safety tips for storms, Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll is a great way to explain to kids and adults alike what causes storms and how to stay safe when they arrive.
Profile Image for Laura.
904 reviews
May 8, 2023
Read this for our weather/sun/water lesson and the students liked learning about the different kinds of weather and what the sky looks like during each one
26 reviews
April 27, 2018
2.K-4
3. Learn all about thunder and lightning storms and what causes them with this fun engaging book!
4. I love this book. I think that it is engaging, colorful and full of information. I enjoyed reading this book at my age and still feel like I learned something.
5. This book can be used when discussing the theme of weather and to give information on thunder and lightning storms and what to do and not do.
Profile Image for Nikki in Niagara.
4,372 reviews165 followers
December 12, 2013
My review is of the original 1964 Ed Emberley illustrated edition. The current volume for sale has revised text and new illustrations. In fact, this book has been through a few revisions through the years. The text of this edition is a little out-dated, we don't really use terms like "sonic boom" anymore and frankly the text isn't exactly entertaining either. I usually am quite fond of Branley's contributions to this series but he became a little dry and technical with this one as he does fit a lot of information into this picture book. The text covers all about what thunder and lightning are and how they are made, how to stay safe in a storm and why not to be afraid of storms. What I do like about this book and why I'm keeping this first edition for my collection is Emberley's illustrations. He has used a plethora of techniques: foam stamps, stencils, paint splattering and his drawing style as shown in his "how to draw" books is in fine form here
Profile Image for Heidi-Marie.
3,855 reviews88 followers
September 8, 2008
Another science book meant for young audiences, but I found this one more interestig because it was specifically about lightning and thunder. I wish I'd had this book while growing up. Then I would have had a source to back me up when I tried to tell my friend that lightning did not come from the ground up. (Except for more in-depth circumstances that I won't go into right now.) It's nice to know I'm not the only one who counts between lightning and thunder (a result of watching "Castaways" many times). But apparently I was gauging the distance all wrong.
Profile Image for Keegan Taylor.
838 reviews41 followers
October 19, 2014
Again, this was on the Joy School curriculum list for Joy of the Earth. Sometimes the Joy of the Earth books are just about how pretty the earth is, but this had more than just an emotional angle, it was scientific about storms. It was really informative. I don't know that my kids will remember a lot from it after just checking it out of the library once, but when we talk about storms in science it would be worth bringing back to the house and of course next year when we return to this Joy School unit.
Profile Image for Renee' LaViness.
Author 18 books40 followers
May 29, 2013
I believe my copy of this book was more blue and purplish. Regardless, it has always been one of my favorite books for children, when it comes to weather. I got my first copy when I was a child in the 1960's and read it to my brother. In the 1980's, I read it to my children and when I found another copy, I bought it for my grandchildren. Ironically, I haven't seen the last one since we were hit by a tornado in December of 2008. I WILL buy another one.
Profile Image for Ashley Lewis.
31 reviews
February 26, 2014
I love learning about the weather, so maybe I'm a little bias.. But I really enjoyed reading this picture book! It is one of those books that does a great job at making confusing concepts very fun and easy! It is a great book for learning about the weather and why it is the way it is. I know children would learn a lot from this book. I know I did! There are lot of fun facts that I know would interest and entertain kids.
Profile Image for Julianna.
138 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2014
LOVE THIS BOOK! Its great 'cause its interesting and is very informative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and think that kids would like it too! It talks about what to and not to do in a thunderstorm, how to tell how far the lightning is , how rain clouds are formed, and much more. Really interesting stuff, and it also explains things in ways that are easy to understand which is good when teaching to all ages.
106 reviews
January 24, 2010
Okay, this was the first book we got for our son that was science related. We'll probably end up buying the whole series. Awesome, awesome, awesome series, accurate and easily understood scientific reasons for how/why our world works. My husband found this series after scouring the internet for hours looking for books about thunderstorms. Highly recommended series!!!
104 reviews
Read
April 19, 2012
Science Content:
This book is great for teaching students about meteorology or even the basics of weather.
This book can be used in Kindergarten when introducing the basics about weather or it can really be used in any aspect where weather/meteorology is being discussed. Probably best for younger grades.
Profile Image for Restokes92.
53 reviews
Read
November 20, 2013
This book offers a simple breakdown to why lightning storms occur and why thunder makes the sound it makes. This book is enjoyable because it offers a simple breakdown of a complex process in nature. I would definitely use this with my children by combining ELA and Science so that students can learn science as well as grow their reading skills.
50 reviews
April 6, 2010
In this book students will learn how a thunderstorm evolves. They will learn how the air temperature and amount of moisture create changes in the weather. There are great pictures to provide visual aides for students. This book also provides simple experiments to try.
106 reviews
October 12, 2012
Science Grade K-1 Fiction Topic: Weather

Great for introducing weather. Teaching the different types of weather. The first week of school, teach this different weather conditions so that when the class does weather calendar, the students know what each weather conditions is.
Profile Image for Christy.
113 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2010
Great explanations of weather, how thunderstorms are formed, the process of clouds, all about electricity and thunderstorms.
126 reviews
November 22, 2010
Clouds,rains,thunder,and lightning. This is a safety precaution for children to know when thunder is coming.
Profile Image for Audrey Harlan.
115 reviews
November 27, 2010
This is a great book to use when talking about thunderstorms and how they are formed. This seems like a really good series.
Profile Image for Yadira.
108 reviews
April 13, 2012
This book explores clouds, lightening, and thunderstorms. It would be a great book to use for a science lesson on storms and how they form.
104 reviews
November 8, 2012
Nice, informative weather information in a storybook format. Great illustrations by True Keliey.
1,393 reviews14 followers
Read
November 30, 2013
RL 2.25 GRL-K

AR Quiz No. 13813 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.