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Science Comics
Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate
As “snowpocalypse” descends once again, one temperamental weatherman is determined to set the record straight on the myths and misconceptions surrounding the elements. What is the difference between weather and climate? How do weather satellites help us predict the future? Can someone outrun a tornado? Does the rotation of the Earth affect wind currents? And does meteorology have anything to do with meteors? Stormin’ Norman Weatherby is gearing up to answer all your wildest questions!
Get ready to explore the depths of the ocean, the farthest reaches of space, and everything in between! These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, Science Comics is for you!
Get ready to explore the depths of the ocean, the farthest reaches of space, and everything in between! These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, Science Comics is for you!
128 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2019
24 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Reed
42 books28 followersMK Reed is the writer of Americus, The Cute Girl Network, Palefire, and Science Comics: Dinosaurs. She draws a web-comic adaptation of Irish mythology, About a Bull. MK lives with her very tall husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 6, 2023
Wild Weather is a non-fictional science comic designed to teach kids about weather, meteorology and climate. It is one of many installments in the Science Comics series. Although its primary purpose is to teach, it is presented in a manner that includes fictional characters and a semblance of a plot.
"Stormin'" Norman Weatherby is a local news meteorologist who is covering a snowstorm that has been nicknamed Snowpocalypse 20XX. The main anchors of the newscast, Chase McCloud and Connie Trales, are stereotypical dumb anchorpeople a la the movie Anchorman. Chase in particular is a real dunce and the book jokes about how he only got his job for his looks (he attended Handsome Boy Modeling School). When Chase and Connie make a side joke dismissing global warming, due to the impending blizzard, Norman gets irritated, thus beginning a long instructional session where he aims to teach Chase, Connie, and the viewers at home about all things weather.
The content of the book is pretty broad reaching, covering almost all aspects of weather and meteorology. It also touches on global warming/climate change. Although Norman is delivering his lesson from the news studio, there are plenty of fun pictures that depict Norman, Chase and others as if they were in outside areas experiencing different weather events. Norman is the clear "smartest guy in the room" and Chase's stupidity provides the comedy. However, by the end Chase starts to catch on and gets a few attaboys, as if he were a really smart dog.
I can definitely see how this book, and presumably the rest of the series, would be a fun way for kids to learn about science. I even learned a few things myself, or at least re-learned things that I probably used to know.
"Stormin'" Norman Weatherby is a local news meteorologist who is covering a snowstorm that has been nicknamed Snowpocalypse 20XX. The main anchors of the newscast, Chase McCloud and Connie Trales, are stereotypical dumb anchorpeople a la the movie Anchorman. Chase in particular is a real dunce and the book jokes about how he only got his job for his looks (he attended Handsome Boy Modeling School). When Chase and Connie make a side joke dismissing global warming, due to the impending blizzard, Norman gets irritated, thus beginning a long instructional session where he aims to teach Chase, Connie, and the viewers at home about all things weather.
The content of the book is pretty broad reaching, covering almost all aspects of weather and meteorology. It also touches on global warming/climate change. Although Norman is delivering his lesson from the news studio, there are plenty of fun pictures that depict Norman, Chase and others as if they were in outside areas experiencing different weather events. Norman is the clear "smartest guy in the room" and Chase's stupidity provides the comedy. However, by the end Chase starts to catch on and gets a few attaboys, as if he were a really smart dog.
I can definitely see how this book, and presumably the rest of the series, would be a fun way for kids to learn about science. I even learned a few things myself, or at least re-learned things that I probably used to know.
September 17, 2018
Science Comics: Wild Weather, is another great entry in the collection of Science Comics. The premise surrounding the excellent information about weather is a TV weatherman educating his ill informed colleague about weather on the eve of a giant snowstorm. This book covers all major aspects of weather, from different types of clouds, which high and low pressure systems, how tornadoes and hurricanes form, the impact flooding and droughts can have, and much more. This is an excellent introduction to weather and how it works for anyone. With a good sense of humor and countless good information, this should be on the shelves of every library and science classroom.
Thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2019
My son likes science comics "because it has a theme and I learn new things" ❤️
November 7, 2019
Science Comics: Wild Weather by M. K. Reed, 119 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2019. $19.99
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
An educational graphic novel featuring Stormin’ Norman Weatherby, a news channel meteorologist. When Stormin’ Norman becomes frustrated with the ignorance of his coworkers regarding weather, he sets them straight—on the air!
I thought the degrading humor was a bit juvenile and overdone, but I think this graphic novel style teaches science effectively because it has to be simple enough to come through in short, connected pieces and is based on pictures. Some of the topics covered are still hard to understand in their simplified form, but I feel like I understand climate change and other weather topics better now than I did before.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
An educational graphic novel featuring Stormin’ Norman Weatherby, a news channel meteorologist. When Stormin’ Norman becomes frustrated with the ignorance of his coworkers regarding weather, he sets them straight—on the air!
I thought the degrading humor was a bit juvenile and overdone, but I think this graphic novel style teaches science effectively because it has to be simple enough to come through in short, connected pieces and is based on pictures. Some of the topics covered are still hard to understand in their simplified form, but I feel like I understand climate change and other weather topics better now than I did before.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
April 10, 2019
Through the setup of a weather man in a news studio talking to the other anchors, readers will learn what causes all sorts of weather events from rain to hail to jet streams to tornadoes.
These books are a little hard to classify. They are presented in the form of some fictional scenario, but they are loaded with nonfiction information. (And the fictional scenario is just a way to make the presentation a little more interesting.) I've decided to put them in the nonfiction section of our graphic novels since they are the kind of thing someone could use for research. I know others will put them in fiction since there is a fictional set up. Some of the other books in the science comics series can get so technical or in depth they might go over the heads of middle grade readers. (That doesn’t stop middle grade readers from picking them up, though. They are popular with the students at my school.) This one stays safely approachable for middle grades while still informative enough for even high schoolers. It gives basics of how and why various weather events happen and just goes to the level of about a middle school earth science class. The graphic novel format helps keep the book engaging in what could otherwise be considered a boring subject by readers. As a former science teacher, I thought the science was on point. I personally think some of the concepts talked about here are hard for students to fully grasp without a physical demonstration (like the Coriolis effect), but the book does the best it can with the medium it is and the level of detail it is aiming at. Definitely recommended for curious readers and earth science classrooms should seriously keep some of these on hand as an alternative to textbooks for explaining weather phenomena.
Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. The book does talk about damage that can be caused by high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, etc. Know the reader you are handing the book to as serious weather events can traumatize some people. I know at one school I spent time working in a tornado had just gone by that destroyed some students’ houses, and while some of the kids would have genuinely wanted to know what caused that tornado, others were way too shaken up by the experience to want any books including tornadoes for a while. For most kids, this book should be fine.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These books are a little hard to classify. They are presented in the form of some fictional scenario, but they are loaded with nonfiction information. (And the fictional scenario is just a way to make the presentation a little more interesting.) I've decided to put them in the nonfiction section of our graphic novels since they are the kind of thing someone could use for research. I know others will put them in fiction since there is a fictional set up. Some of the other books in the science comics series can get so technical or in depth they might go over the heads of middle grade readers. (That doesn’t stop middle grade readers from picking them up, though. They are popular with the students at my school.) This one stays safely approachable for middle grades while still informative enough for even high schoolers. It gives basics of how and why various weather events happen and just goes to the level of about a middle school earth science class. The graphic novel format helps keep the book engaging in what could otherwise be considered a boring subject by readers. As a former science teacher, I thought the science was on point. I personally think some of the concepts talked about here are hard for students to fully grasp without a physical demonstration (like the Coriolis effect), but the book does the best it can with the medium it is and the level of detail it is aiming at. Definitely recommended for curious readers and earth science classrooms should seriously keep some of these on hand as an alternative to textbooks for explaining weather phenomena.
Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. The book does talk about damage that can be caused by high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, etc. Know the reader you are handing the book to as serious weather events can traumatize some people. I know at one school I spent time working in a tornado had just gone by that destroyed some students’ houses, and while some of the kids would have genuinely wanted to know what caused that tornado, others were way too shaken up by the experience to want any books including tornadoes for a while. For most kids, this book should be fine.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2019
Join the crew at Action News - Chase McCloud, Connie Trales, Randi Billows, and Stormin' Norman Weatherby as they find out all about weather and climate. When Snowpocalypse 20XX hits, the entire TV station is excited about the forecast, although Chase thinks that snow days prove there is no such thing as global warming. That gets Stormin' Norman a bit hot under t he collar and he decides to educate Chase and their viewing audience about how weather on Earth actually works. Lucky for us - because we get to share in the knowledge.
With colorful and entertaining illustrations, "Normans_Middle_School_Presentation" explains basics like the water cycle, various cloud formations, and how the Fujita scale measures the speed of tornadoes. But this meteorologist goes beyond those basics to spell out how air pressure, jet streams, pressure fronts, and yes...he does explain the idea of climate change to Chase. (Chase is also very worried about the possibility of a sharknado.)
Clear explanations combined with the illustrations make the information very easy to understand. Back matter includes a glossary, an explanation of weather tools, and a section that debunks quite a few wild weather myths. This series has the double advantage of appealing to those who already have an interest in the subject while also drawing in those who enjoy graphic novels of all sorts.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher for review purposes.
With colorful and entertaining illustrations, "Normans_Middle_School_Presentation" explains basics like the water cycle, various cloud formations, and how the Fujita scale measures the speed of tornadoes. But this meteorologist goes beyond those basics to spell out how air pressure, jet streams, pressure fronts, and yes...he does explain the idea of climate change to Chase. (Chase is also very worried about the possibility of a sharknado.)
Clear explanations combined with the illustrations make the information very easy to understand. Back matter includes a glossary, an explanation of weather tools, and a section that debunks quite a few wild weather myths. This series has the double advantage of appealing to those who already have an interest in the subject while also drawing in those who enjoy graphic novels of all sorts.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher for review purposes.
May 29, 2019
This one would be a 3.5 for me, and it would have many uses for the classroom or just adding to anyone's general knowledge about weather and clearing up some misconceptions. Ideal for anyone interested in the weather--and really, who isn't?--this graphic novel features meteorologist Norman Weatherby as he schools Chase McCloud, a news anchor at a local television station, about various types of weather. His lecture is prompted after Chase jokes about there being no global warming, given the huge snow storm the area is experiencing. Norman prefers the term "climate change," and explains that it consists of patterns of weather over a long period of time. From that start, he covers just about everything related to weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and the different types of clouds. I really appreciated the fact that Chase is obviously an intelligent, educated man, and yet, he confuses weather and climate and fails to understand important concepts. There is plenty of humor sprinkled throughout this graphic novel, but also much to learn about the topic. This is another strong offering in the essential Science Comics series. If you don't already have these in your home or classroom, be sure to get them soon. They make science and science concepts easy to digest.
October 9, 2018
Reed, M.K. Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate. First Second, 2019.
This nonfiction graphic novel presents information about climate change and meteorology, wrapped in the story of a meteorologist who is explaining climate change to his fellow newscasters. The information is presented in a very readable and interesting way, and the illustrations are an integral part of the overall story. The colorful illustrations will draw the eye of tween readers and may spark an interest in science and meteorology. Recommended.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: none
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
This nonfiction graphic novel presents information about climate change and meteorology, wrapped in the story of a meteorologist who is explaining climate change to his fellow newscasters. The information is presented in a very readable and interesting way, and the illustrations are an integral part of the overall story. The colorful illustrations will draw the eye of tween readers and may spark an interest in science and meteorology. Recommended.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: none
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
May 30, 2019
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
An educational graphic novel featuring Stormin’ Norman Weatherby, a news channel meteorologist. When Stormin’ Norman becomes frustrated with the ignorance of his coworkers regarding weather, he sets them straight—on the air!
I thought the degrading humor was a bit juvenile and overdone, but I think this graphic novel style teaches science effectively because it has to be simple enough to come through in short, connected pieces and is based on pictures. Some of the topics covered are still hard to understand in their simplified form, but I feel like I understand climate change and other weather topics better now than I did before.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
An educational graphic novel featuring Stormin’ Norman Weatherby, a news channel meteorologist. When Stormin’ Norman becomes frustrated with the ignorance of his coworkers regarding weather, he sets them straight—on the air!
I thought the degrading humor was a bit juvenile and overdone, but I think this graphic novel style teaches science effectively because it has to be simple enough to come through in short, connected pieces and is based on pictures. Some of the topics covered are still hard to understand in their simplified form, but I feel like I understand climate change and other weather topics better now than I did before.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
May 22, 2021
I've so far enjoyed the books I've read from the Science Comics collection, and Wild Weather is a solid example of why. The book does a solid job of explaining the complicated science behind weather and climate, and it does it while having a fun time. It offers up solid info that people will want to have in general, while also answering the goofy questions we all (and especially kids) like to ask sometimes, like could a sharknado really happen? It also has a ton of visual aids that were very helpful. Overall, it's a fun and informative comic that I would recommend to anyone (especially kids) looking for an introduction to weather, climate, and the study of meteorology.
October 31, 2019
Stormin’ Norman Weatherby is just trying to give a weather report when Chase McCloud interrupts. As it turns out, Chase doesn’t know anything about global warming or climate or weather in general, so it becomes Norman’s personal duty to teach him. Norman takes Chase on a figurative journey through the world of weather. With sassy remarks and good humor, Norman entertains Chase and his partner, Connie, while teaching them about why storms happen, how temperature changes, what clouds mean, and much more.
Reed has created three very lovable and unique characters in this book, and with the detailed illustrations, those characters come to life. Both the text and illustrations are quite humorous. Chase McCloud is practically clueless, and Stormin’ Norman Weatherby is full of snarky remarks. Besides being entertaining, however, the book is also very informative. There’s even a glossary, fun facts, and myths debunked at the end. Complex sciences behind the weather are written simply and also described visually in the pictures. As a science book, the educational material is a bit dense, so it might be hard for younger readers to follow. Despite that, however, it has an appealing story line and is impressively written and illustrated to maintain the reader’s interest while still relaying important educational information.
++Review originally published on Children's Book and Media Review++
http://byucbmr.com/reviews/science-co...
Reed has created three very lovable and unique characters in this book, and with the detailed illustrations, those characters come to life. Both the text and illustrations are quite humorous. Chase McCloud is practically clueless, and Stormin’ Norman Weatherby is full of snarky remarks. Besides being entertaining, however, the book is also very informative. There’s even a glossary, fun facts, and myths debunked at the end. Complex sciences behind the weather are written simply and also described visually in the pictures. As a science book, the educational material is a bit dense, so it might be hard for younger readers to follow. Despite that, however, it has an appealing story line and is impressively written and illustrated to maintain the reader’s interest while still relaying important educational information.
++Review originally published on Children's Book and Media Review++
http://byucbmr.com/reviews/science-co...
January 3, 2020
This graphic novel gives great detail about meteorology. The book is the weather man explaining weather phenomenon to the two TV news anchors. The topics covered include climate change, the water cycle, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes and more. It is highly informative for those readers that
need their information in an alternative format. The book includes a glossary, examples of weather tools, and debunks myths all in graphic novel format. This would be a solid choice for library collections that need more nonfiction graphic novels for their guests.
need their information in an alternative format. The book includes a glossary, examples of weather tools, and debunks myths all in graphic novel format. This would be a solid choice for library collections that need more nonfiction graphic novels for their guests.
Read
December 18, 2023How? Another Science Comics read with the kiddo. (This one was started in DC, and finally finished in Texas.)
What? When a dunce news anchor makes a joke about "global warming," the weatherman snaps and gives a lecture all about weather, including cold/hot fronts; why its called "meteorology"; the different forms of precipitation; some different clouds; hurricanes and tornadoes; climate change; etc.
Yeah, so? There's a lot in here, but the fun dynamic (dumb person, smarter person (the other anchor), irascible expert) keeps things moving along.
What? When a dunce news anchor makes a joke about "global warming," the weatherman snaps and gives a lecture all about weather, including cold/hot fronts; why its called "meteorology"; the different forms of precipitation; some different clouds; hurricanes and tornadoes; climate change; etc.
Yeah, so? There's a lot in here, but the fun dynamic (dumb person, smarter person (the other anchor), irascible expert) keeps things moving along.
May 8, 2019
kudos to the colorist for this volume; your work made the book flow and was lush and lively.
many of the books in this series are in the "talking head" format and this is no exception. there's an attempt at framing it with a humorous news situation (kinda in the vein of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales). Still I can't help but wish more of the writers and artists took a different route and incorporated the info into a real story so it would be easier for a reader to retain.
many of the books in this series are in the "talking head" format and this is no exception. there's an attempt at framing it with a humorous news situation (kinda in the vein of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales). Still I can't help but wish more of the writers and artists took a different route and incorporated the info into a real story so it would be easier for a reader to retain.
February 16, 2020
After making a thoughtless comment on air, Chase McCloud, anchorman, holding a certificate of completion from Handsome Boy Modeling School is about to get a lesson in climate change (and other weather-related topics) from one really ticked off Weatherman, Norman Weatherby.
Includes in the back some tips for Family Emergency Kits, so that students that have read the book and gotten nervous about things can take control. Www.ready.gov
Includes in the back some tips for Family Emergency Kits, so that students that have read the book and gotten nervous about things can take control. Www.ready.gov
February 23, 2024
5 stars for accessibility of information and ease of understanding complex topics. I’m docking a star due to the degrading humor—the main characters are a little rude at times.
I read this with my 5 yo. He has been asking me about what causes weather for a long time, and this book covered all of the basics and more with wonderful graphics. The story made learning the topic a lot of fun. My kid wants to read the entire series now.
I read this with my 5 yo. He has been asking me about what causes weather for a long time, and this book covered all of the basics and more with wonderful graphics. The story made learning the topic a lot of fun. My kid wants to read the entire series now.
April 29, 2026
We live in an area with pretty "Wild Weather" so I was looking for a book about tornadoes for my child, and found this! A lot of good information about weather, wrapped in a very entertaining story. A little advanced for my 5 year old, but even though she doesn't understand everything that is discussed, she loves reading it and has learned a lot about hail, rain, tornadoes, and hurricanes. It has let to a lot of good conversations.
May 9, 2019
Felt the tone could have been more supportive of individuals who are asking questions about a topic they don't know. Frequently characters appeared annoyed at the news anchor who isn't knowledgeable, even though they are consistently engaging and attempting to learn. Otherwise the topic is framed well and the information is given in accessible ways. Could have been improved upon.
February 7, 2020
I am amazed at the amount of information that can get packed into these graphic novels. This one covers all things weather as a weatherman seeks to educate his news anchors about climate change. There is some heavy stuff in here about climate change and storms and disasters, but it ends positively on preparation, personal responsibility, and...rainbows!
July 14, 2022
Just finished reading this alongside my homeschooled fifth grader. We used this for "school" and it was very cool. The comic made learning about the weather interesting and the humor made it fun. Even as a parent, I learned some things, and I know my kid learned as well, making this a great addition to her educational material.
April 16, 2024
Fine. A little light feeling? Some of these books go too deep. This one felt like it could go slightly deeper. The dumb-news anchor felt a little too obvious. But in general this book worked. The text was perhaps a bit better than the art, though the art was fine. This just didn't quite grab me. 3.5 of 5
May 23, 2024
I read this with my 9 year old, and we really enjoyed it. It touches upon different types of weather and climate as well as climate change. It's very informative, and we loved the humor as well. The illustrations were great, and it was easy enough for my son to understand.
I would say this is a great book for second graders to fifth or sixth graders.
I would say this is a great book for second graders to fifth or sixth graders.
January 9, 2025
I think your book is exciting funny and brilliant I love definitely a ten out of ten its just fun to read and cant wait to do a presentation on it at my school thank you for making this fun and exciting best experience I'v ever had in my book years its a good book I think you should write more thank you from: Harrison Hill.
April 29, 2025
Meh, not great. This was too heavy on the climate change theme. I wanted it to be more about the weather instead of the climate change. And the one guy was just too stupid and the weather man treated him like he was stupid. It just felt like the ramble of a smart guy showing off how smart he is to a stupid guy.
April 14, 2020
Really fun and engaging text for learning about the weather and understanding climate change. This book loses a star for being slightly out-of-date about climate change (says everything is going to be okay, and that's not the case).
March 16, 2021
Really informative about climate change, weather patterns, and how one affects the other. I just didn't love the framing device. Here, our narrator is an exasperated TV weatherman lecturing a dim anchorman, and it honestly felt a little mean spirited at times.
April 13, 2022
This book explains different weathers, storms, climates, and meteorology. Also, it explains the different conditions of weather and some helpful guides to staying safe during bad weather in a comic style that is interactive.
March 15, 2023
The science of weather is explained by a meteorologist after a snide remark is made by a idiotic newscaster. This graphic novel reveals to the reader all there is to know about how the different weather patterns affect the global impacts of climate change. The natural elements that make up the weather and causes the seasons are also explained.
February 8, 2024
The framing sequence in this works well. A weatherman gets fed up with a dumb news anchor and explains to him why seasons are different from climate change. Also, about weather in general and big events like tornadoes and hurricanes.
April 9, 2025
Read to add to the resource library at work, loved! The drawings were great and concept was cute, just a LOT of information, will still be using for middle school section of the library (wish it focused more on climate change and less on weather)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews