Wind Discovering air in motion

Gr 3--5--Readers of this informative book will learn about a wide range of wind-related topics. Formatted as a series of questions and answers, the topics include: What is wind? What are the different types of wind? How do we describe wind speed? How does wind affect birds? Are there winds in outer space? The answers introduce readers to many vocabulary words in clear explanations of how wind operates. All of this is provided in an attractive, inviting context that depicts people experiencing wind or provides additional supportive information. A map, for example, illustrates where the different kinds of prevailing winds blow, and a discussion of how wind helps ships sail shows an ancient Egyptian trading ship and a Roman battleship. There are a few questionable items. The beginning of the book, for example, takes a fictional rather than a factual stance by asking where the wind comes from and suggesting these answers: giants blowing air with all their might, a windmill, trees swaying, or the wings of a large bird. Readers are invited to share what they think. But this musing only last for one page before moving into facts. Second, the answer to the question, "What happens in a hurricane?" is "off topic." It discusses, instead, why hurricanes are given their names. VERDICT This work provides a great deal for young readers to learn and think about, delivered in an appealing way.--Myra Zarnowski

"Where does the wind come from?" This thoroughly engaging book translated from Russian offers a broad overview of wind, from what causes wind to ways in which humans throughout history have harnessed it. Although its opening double-page spread strikes a rather fanciful tone ("Maybe there are giants… / who blow air with all their might?"), this is quickly dispelled by the next page turn, which launches immediately into science. ("It happens because of differences in air pressure….") The narrative intertwines snippets of historical facts and basic science (the Beaufort scale, how hurricanes form, etc.), keeping readers intrigued and entertained. Full of rich textures, the full-color, double-page spreads are masterful in both design and imagery and add a colorful, dynamic, and sometimes whimsical layer to the factual narrative. Noteworthy is the book's scope. Examples of discoveries related to wind span the globe. The major types of wind that surround the planet (trade winds, prevailing westerlies, etc.) are clearly defined and illustrated, underscoring the universality of wind and its effects on all of Earth's land masses. The author also describes wind's influence on human inventions such as boats and airplanes as well as its impact and importance for animals and plants. A beautiful and fascinating primer on the wind. (Nonfiction. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.