Boy, Were We Wrong About the Weather!

by Kathleen V. Kudlinski, Sebastia Serra (Illustrator)

Overview

Hurricaines, Thunder and Lightning, climate change, Wind, Rain. We were once wrong about all of these. But are we right now? Find out in the latest book in this award-winning series.
   
 Ancient Sumerian warriors used to think that lightning and thunder were caused by an angry weather god —boy, were they wrong!
 
Even today once common ideas about how our weather and climate work are changing as new discoveries are being made. Kathleen V. Kudlinski and  Sebastià Serra team up to debunk old—and sometimes silly—myths about weather and to celebrate the pioneers that made meteorology the science it is today.
 
This award-winning series is especially meant for the budding scientist and is perfect for children who are fascinated by the natural world and how it works.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803737938
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	07/07/2015
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,104,695
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	770L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kathleen Kudlinksi the award-winning author of more than forty books for children, including  the Boy, Were We Wrong series. She lives in Connecticut and Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2015
Gr 2–4—Following the pattern established in earlier titles, Kudlinski uses the refrain "Boy were we wrong…" to contrast weather misconceptions throughout history with modern-day understandings. She explores the meaning of terms such as meteorology and hurricane, which originated from ancient beliefs and misguided theories, and she explains that some myths and legends contained elements of truth. Accessible information is presented concisely, and the clever, humorous tone of the text complements Serra's lively, engaging cartoon illustrations. There is plenty here to inspire even the youngest readers to seek out more material about the subject. The author encourages kids to become involved with tackling global warming and to see themselves as potential scientists. VERDICT A valuable resource for report writing and pleasure reading alike.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

School Library Journal

2015-04-01
From dancing to appease a weather god to observing and investigating with modern scientific tools, humans have come a long way in their understanding of the weather. The author of previous titles about old and new ideas about dinosaurs and the solar system here introduces Earth's weather and climate. This lighthearted overview skips lightly through history and around the world, giving examples of past weather explanations and prediction methods. Each former belief is contrasted with today's understandings about: the water cycle; thunderstorms; the vital role of the sun and the importance of many other geographical factors; using instruments and satellites to make predictions of hurricanes and other weather phenomena; and past and present climate change, including modern global warming and new, more destructive weather patterns. About modern climate change deniers, Kudlinski boldly states, "Boy, are they wrong!" (One exception to the "Boy, were they wrong!" pattern is the 2,000-year-old adage about red skies in the morning. This works, and Kudlinski provides a scientific explanation.) Serra's lively cartoon-style illustrations, created with pencil and computer graphics, are cheery and upbeat. Gray storms are contrasted with colorful indoor and outdoor scenes. Simplifying such a complex subject can lead to missteps, such as suggesting that "germs" can form the cores of raindrops rather than bacteria. But overall the information is appropriate for the intended readers. A humorous take on an endlessly interesting subject. (timeline, websites) (Informational picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews