Before It Was a Hurricane (A Nonfiction Earth Science Picture Book with Double Gatefold for Kids)

This excellent informational book covers earth science concepts surrounding hurricanes. It takes a complex, often frightening phenomenon and deconstructs it into a step-by-step journey. Instead of focusing solely on the destruction of a landfall event, this book retraces the lifecycle of a storm back to its humblest beginnings: a ripple of warm air off the coast of Africa and a cluster of thunderstorms over the Atlantic. The illustrations range from bright, shimmering turquoise waters to the deep gray oceans during a storm. Cross-section diagrams show readers a wide variety of storm-related visuals, such as a non-threatening peek inside the eye wall. This is a good choice for primary, elementary, and children’s public libraries. The illustrations capture readers with fabulous details that add to the informative text. Verdict: Text and illustrations encourage a child’s curiosity by providing real meteorological facts while using the look and rhythm of a picture book to keep them engaged. * School Library Journal, STARRED Review *

Mary Kay Carson (Author)

Mary Kay Carson is the author of more than fifty books for young people about wildlife, space, weather, nature, and history. After studying biology in college, and a stint in the Peace Corps, she began her writing career working on the classroom magazine SuperScience. Her books have received more than a dozen starred reviews, as well as multiple awards, including the 2019 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books for Alexander Graham Bell for Kids. She’s written six titles in HMH’s acclaimed Scientists in the Field series, including The Bat Scientists, an ALA 2011 Notable Children’s Books for Middle Readers, and The Tornado Scientist, a State Library of Ohio Choose To Read Ohio (CTRO) title for 2021-22. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband in a century-old house surrounded by urban greenspace, deer, hawks, woodchucks, and songbirds.

Jieting Chen (Illustrator)

Jieting Chen is an illustrator, animator, and designer. With years of experience, she produced and directed several award-winning short animation. Her illustrations are strongly influenced by oriental paintings. The points of view are delicate and sensitive.

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