Storms

by Seymour Simon

Describes the atmospheric conditions which create thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes and how violent weather affects the environment and people.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science:] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association).

Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.

He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."

Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.

In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York, where he lives with his wife Liz Nealon.

You can follow Seymour on Facebook and on Twitter, as well as on his website, which offers free, downloadable Teacher Guides to his books for educators, parents and homeschoolers, as well as the popular Seymour Science Daily Blo

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, for a non fiction picture book published in 1989, even today (even in 2023), Seymour Simon's printed words for Storms present a simple but scientifically, meteorologically solidly educational and still surprisingly up-to-date (read current) both textual and photographic introduction to thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes (although to be sure, I am definitely more than a bit annoyed and frustrated that Storms does not also cover blizzards and ice storms, and that I do indeed find this rather a major intellectual and factual oversight by Simon, as snow and ice storms can be just as deadly and as ferocious as thunderstorms, tornadoes, hailstorms and hurricanes and can also last for quite long periods of time, and not to mention that I also do find it a trifle problematic that there is not one word from Seymour Simon's pen in Storms regarding global warming since even in 1989, there was already quite a bit of talk concerning the latter and that higher average global temperatures could also be causing increasingly severe and more damaging, more massively destructive storms).

Engagingly penned, full of interesting and factual details and very nicely suitable for readers from about the age of eight to ten/eleven or so (but that if Storms is to be read aloud, even younger children not yet reading independently would probably both enjoy Storms and also find the information provided educational and interesting), and that yes, I do much appreciate how Seymour Simon makes it abundantly clear with Storms that active and fast-moving weather patterns, that storms (even if they can be violent, dangerous and destructive) are also essential and necessary for the earth and that without for example thunderstorms the earth's mean temperature would be something like twenty degree Celsius warmer and with stagnant and unbreathable air (but that I am also just wee a bit annoyed and frustrated at how Simon kind of seems to be actively fear mongering with regard to how dangerous lighting is, since his wording in Storms seems to insinuate that scores and scores of people are continuously being struck and horribly killed by lighting when in fact being struck by lightning is actually a rather rare occurrence).

And thus, even though Storms is for the most part a solid and factual meteorological introduction, for me personally, that Seymour Simon does not bother at all with winter storms of ice and snow, that he makes no mention of human caused climate change and global warming, that he in my opinion kind of tries to exaggerate lighting's dangers and that Seymour Simon also and annoyingly does not provide either secondary sources or a list of books for further reading and study, yes, this does textually bother me and as such also makes me consider only a three star rating for Storms, still warmly and decently enough recommended, but with to and for me also some necessary and required caveats.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read several nonfiction books by Seymour Simon. His books are very informative and usually have a lot of interesting color photographs. I like that the books are educational, but not overwhelming with details or boring.

This book about storms offers a look at thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes as well as the damaging effects from these types of storms. The narrative is fairly short and while it's informative, we didn't really learn anything new. Still, it serves as a good reminder as to the seriousness of these kinds of natural phenomena and the photographs are big and colorful. We enjoyed reading this book together. We will certainly look for more of Mr. Simon's books at our local library.

[Jeff Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides good information about the different types of storms on our planet. The author does a very good job in using simple words to define more complex words. He does not shy away from some technical terms and when he uses them, he gives an example that is relatable. The book has many illustrations and pictures that are very helpful in understanding the various forms. There are many examples throughout the book especially using numbers to quantify how big or powerful storms can be. Storms finishes with the evolution of how we understand storms over our history and how complicated they truly are.
Storms is written for second or third graders and is very helpful to go along with a science lesson or lessons. It could be used as a read-a-loud over a few days as not to lose students interest because there are many opportunities for questions or discussions. It can also be utilized as a mentor text for informational writings with the easy to follow definitions or more complex words. Overall it is very informative and generally easy to read.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great at talking about the causes of a storm as well as talking about hailstorms, downdrafts, lightning, thunder and hurricanes. This book goes into detail and shows many photos of the life of a tornado.

Lesson- this book would be great to discuss storms and use it with your weather unit. You can discuss tornadoes and have your students draw or create the phases of a tornado.

[Makaylia McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storms gives readers a good understanding of what the different types of storms are, how they differ, and what each storm consists of. The last page talks about myths that relates to storms that most people have heard of, or will hear in the future.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading rainbow book about storms. My son loves the real life photos. However at 4 years old, the detailed and rather dramatic descriptions of tornadoes, hurriances, and thunderstorms have been nightmare inducing. So we lightly skip paragraphs and focus more on less destructive aspect of storms.

[Zachary Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really great. I liked it because of the amount of information that Seymour Simon gives. He includes a lot of records, and really good pictures of storms, especially really good pictures that are spot on on timing. Very beautiful.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice resource for my weather unit!

Q2021 book.

[Christina Attaway]

I think that this book is a great book to read because it is telling you information about how storms work or how the diffrent types work or connect to each-other. I can connect this book with the world because in the world they are many things going on and they are saying how they are hurracanes,earthquakes,sunnamies,and lightfning hitting our states country's. I can connect to this book because for example, there was a huge earthquake in hadi and there was huge disasters and thfe people in hadi had to clean all the last bits of the peices that were left in hadi. I am really sorry for the big eathquake that hadi had in there county I am hoping that this disaster doesn't happen to New York City because a lot of people live in New York City especially people thfat are in my family and generation so I hope that there is no connection to hadi to New York City. In my intrest I can say that the book "STORMS" is a great book to me well that is my opinion and other people have other thought's about the book called "STORMS" I really hope that people agree but they should also have there own opinion and disagree to. I am in the sixth grade and I have enjoyed the book called "STORMS". My ELA teacher is Jermy Daneil if you have heard of him and my home-room teacher is Blaise Russo if you had heard of him. My name is Christina Attaway and I am an M.S.328 student in the sixth grade and I have enjoyed the book called "STORMS".

[Stephanie]

Seymour Simon’s Storms is an informational textbook about the power of weather. The book describes the atmospheric conditions that create thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Storms also describes how violent weather affects the environment and people.

Storms is an informational book for several different reasons. This book is a specialized topic book on storms, which is a characteristic of the informational books. Additionally, this book provides different experiences with expository text structure. Lastly, Storms sparks children’s interest in the life cycle. Furthermore, this book is a good text to use when teaching students about weather and natural disasters. This book is great for third, fourth, and fifth graders.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author/Illustrator: Seymour Simon
Genre: Informational
Grade Level: 4.9
Lexile: 940L

Summary: Storms are a big part of our lives. This story talks about the importance of storms and our weather. It looks at all different types of storms and even goes into recent examples like Katrina and Andrew. This is an extremely detailed book. It would be a great science read aloud when you were doing a weather unit.

[Audrey]

Unit on weather

[Cws]

J551.5Sim

[Tyler Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is great

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good children's resource
good pictures and wow appeal for kids

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos. My kids enjoyed it.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thunderstorms are very scrary. They produce rain, lightning, wind, and even tornadoes.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a nonfiction book that discusses all types of different storms throughout the world. If a child is interested in storms they would find this book fascinating and wonderful to read.

[Nick Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for children interested in nonfiction. Great for teaching about different types of storms.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

very informational

[Ally Patch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storms by Seymour Simon. Copyright 1989. Genre: Nonfiction
Kid Lit: Nonfiction Information Book #2
While growing up, I loved to read about storms and even watch them when they were coming in. Still to this day, I love watching them come in while also reading about them. This book talks about all different kinds of storms that the weather can produce. It talks about lighting, thunder, rain, hail, tornado's, and even hurricanes. While the book talks about these things, it also tells you what to do and what not to do when these types of storms hit you. I feel like this book would be best for a reader who likes storms or what’s to learn more about them. Throughout the book, it gives specific details on certain things which I think helps the reader understand why the storm is doing something. I also enjoyed looking at the pictures while reading this book. Overall, I would give this book four out of five stars.

[Delila Orlowski]

This interesting book talks about Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hurricanes. We learn how the storm forms and ends, temperatures, and what one can do to stay safe from a storm.

I would do this lesson when we are talking about different kinds of storms. A lesson idea that I have is bringing a guest in to talk about safety when caught in a storm.