Many children are fascinated by weather patterns and love learning information regarding weather patterns and the changes in their environment. Children’s books about weather provide education, entertainment, and can help ease a child’s fears about extreme weather or storms.
We’ve compiled some of the greatest children’s books about weather covering all weather-related topics. From basic board books to fictional children’s books about weather to books about extreme weather and the science behind it, there is something for children of all ages.
Let’s dig in!
Board Books About the Weather
Babies and toddlers are aware of the weather and its changes from a very early age. Here are some great board books about the weather for young children, ranging from babies to preschool-aged children.
Little Cloud
Written and Illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages 2 – 4 years
Little Cloud changes to different shapes through the course of this book, illustrated in Eric Carle’s famous collage artwork. This would be a great book for young children who are beginning to distinguish between various shapes.
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Rain, Rain, Go Away
Written and Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Ages 2 – 4 years
This simple book is a favorite among babies and toddlers. It teaches children the “Rain, Rain Go Away, come again another day” song. The illustrations are sweet with toddlers and their stuffed animals traveling through the rain in their rain gear.
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Wind
Written and Illustrated Carol Thompson
Ages 2 – 4 years
Wind can be hard to explain to children but in this simple board book four children and a dog experience the effects of the wind. They see the effects the wind has on pinwheels spinning, blowing away a hat, and hearing the different sounds it makes. It is a great introduction to wind for little ones. Find other weather-related books in the Whatever the Weather series.
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Hello, World! Weather
Written and Illustrated by Jill McDonald
Ages 2 – 4 years
This is another simple book on the weather for a young toddler or preschool-aged children. It is a great book to explain what to wear given the weather of the day. The illustrations are fun and colorful. This book would probably be very helpful if you have a toddler who struggles with getting dressed appropriately for the weather and needs some external reinforcement (aka: not just told from mom and dad).
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Maisy’s Wonderful Weather Book
Written and Illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages 3 – 7 years
No matter the weather, Maisy knows how to make the best of it and we love her optimistic attitude towards whatever the weather brings. This cute interactive book has pulls and tabs to open to reveal the forecast of the day and turning the wheels to make it rain, snow, or discover a rainbow. Note: because of the flaps and pulls, this probably is not suitable for babies or toddlers who are rough with books.
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Singing in the Rain
Illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Ages 3 – 8 years
The lyrics from the musical “Singing in the Rain” are the backdrop of this book that celebrates all that children delight in when it rains: jumping in puddles, playing with umbrellas, and dancing and singing along as they get wet. The children are diverse and a new generation will fall in love with the classic song that many of us grew up loving.
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Amazon or IndieBound
Picture Books About the Weather
Picture books are a great way to help children put themselves in the lives of characters, quench their fears about extreme weather, and learn information about the world through stories. Here are some of the best children’s picture books about weather.
Hurricane
Written by David Weisner
Ages 4 – 7 years
This fictional story is about two brothers who are inside their home while a hurricane rages outside. It touches on the real dangers of hurricanes, but also gives a little magic and shows the imagination of children to turn a situation into a fun escape from the storm. The story is great on its own, but would also be helpful for families who live near the coast and may be fearful of hurricanes as it brings to life the fun that can be had when families are stuck inside together.
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The Magic School Bus Inside A Hurricane
Written by Joanna Cole, Illustrated by Bruce Degen
Ages 4 – 8 years
Ms. Fizzle and her magical school bus take her class into a hurricane and learn the science behind the storm. There is a story throughout the book, along with side bubbles of facts and dialogue between Ms. Fizzle and her students. It is more detailed than some of the other Magic School Bus books and full of information on weather and hurricanes.
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Amazon or IndieBound
Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future
Written by Allan Drummond
Ages 5 – 8 years
This is the true story of a town in Kansas that was rebuilt after it was devasted by a tornado. The town decided to rebuild their town stronger and used energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable techniques.
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May I Come In?
Written by Marsha Diane Arnold
Ages 5 – 8 years
When a raccoon gets caught in the rain, he knocks on the door of three animals but is turned away by all because they simply don’t have room. He finally knocks on Rabbit’s door and is greeted by a whole house full of baby bunnies. He is welcomed into their small home, where “There’s always room for a good friend,” becomes a part of the greeting when the other animals knock on Rabbit’s door. A sweet story of kindness and hospitality.
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Amazon or IndieBound
On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather
Written by Marilyn Singer
Ages 5 – 12 years
On the same day in March, it is icy in the Artic, foggy in Louisiana, sunny in Barbados, and chilly in Paris. This book gives a glimpse into what the weather is like in seventeen different places of the world on the same day. The poetic language explores weather patterns, seasonal changes, and different cultures across the globe.
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On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
Written and Illustrated by Beatrice Alemanga
Ages 6 – 12 years
A young girl finds herself stuck in a cabin with her mom on a rainy day. Her mom takes away her electronic gaming device and tells her to go outside and play. The girl is grumpy about the rainy weather but eventually starts to look around her and take note of the wonders in the rain. The transformative act of exploring nature changes her mood and she has a magical do-nothing day in the rain. A great book for older children who need some encouragement and a reminder to put down their devices and enjoy the world around them.
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Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle
Written by Miranda Paul, Illustrated by Jason Chin
Ages 8 – 12 years
With a mixture of poetry and science, this lyrical picture book highlights the various forms that water takes as it follows a brother and sister throughout a year. The basics of the water cycle are explained in subtle, but effective rhyming, and the illustrations are soft and lovely. The author explains more of the science behind the water cycle, as well as the importance to conserve the water we have.
Non-Fiction Children’s Books About the Weather
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. These non-fiction children’s books about the weather will help explain the mysterious natural phenomenons around them.
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Weather
By Karen de Seve
Ages 4 – 8 years
Each chapter in this book covers different types of weather and gives scientific explanations for things like heat waves, cold weather, wind, rain, and clouds. The pictures are engaging and have fun facts sprinkled throughout, like a building made of ice and ice-covered cars after an ice storm. The National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books are a great introduction for young children on a topic, and this is a great one to introduce preschool to elementary-aged children on the weather.
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The Reasons for Seasons
By Gail Gibbons
Ages 4 – 8 years
This book helps children understand all about seasons, how the position of the Earth in relation to the sun causes the weather to change, and each of the unique ways a season affects your life.
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Amazon or IndieBound
Weather Words and What They Mean
by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4 – 8 years
This is another great Gail Gibbons book and the title explains it all: a book all about weather words and what they mean. Children will learn about fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, fronts, snow, and hurricanes with simple explanations and clear diagrams and illustrations.
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Weather: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities
by DK
Ages 5 – 9 years
If you’re looking for a book that has hands-on activities for interacting with the weather, in addition to information, this book is a great introduction to the world of weather for children. Some of the activities include how to make a barometer or a rain gauge. The book is detailed and the illustrations are fun.
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Amazon or IndieBound
The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting
By Mark Breen
Ages 7 – 11 years
If you have a child interested in becoming a meteorologist or is at least fascinated by weather, this book does a fantastic job of understanding how weather works and how to predict it on your own using weather tools and recording weather observations.
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The Everything Kids’ Weather Book
by Joe Snedeker
Ages 7 – 12 years
This book gives an inside look at how weather works, like cold and warm fronts, how meteorologists predict the weather and the effects that global warming has on our planet. It also includes many activities like weather puzzles and games, which would make it a great book for car trips or times when you want your child (or you) to have some uninterrupted quiet time. The only downside is the inside is black and white, would have made it so much more engaging if it was in color. But overall, still a great book on weather.
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National Geographic Kids Everything Weather
By Kathy Furgang
Ages 8 – 12 years
This book covers the basics of what weather is, types of extreme weather, how to predict it, and fun myths and facts about the weather around us. The photography throughout is colorful and depicts many children in different types of weather. This book is a great introduction for children about the weather!
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Amazon or IndieBound
Tornadoes!
Written and Illustrated by Gail Gibbons
Ages 6 – 10 years
This is one of the best children’s books about tornadoes. It explains the science of how tornadoes are formed and the dangers of the earth in a tornado’s path.
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Amazon or IndieBound
Hurricanes!
Written and Illustrated by Gail Gibbons
Ages 6 – 10 years
Here is another Gail Gibbons book, all about Hurricanes. It is an introductory book for children on how hurricanes form, how they are named, and the potential damage that they can cause. In addition to the science behind hurricanes, children will also learn about geography and the various states and regions most affected by hurricanes. The illustrations along with the clear, detailed descriptions, provide it the perfect book for any child interested in hurricanes or learning more about the weather.
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Amazon or IndieBound
Hurricane Watch
Written by Melissa Stewart, Illustrated by Taia Morley
Ages 4 – 8 years
Hurricane Watch is another great children’s book about weather, specific to hurricanes. It presents the facts and potential dangers of hurricanes in a way so as not to scare children, paired with colorful illustrations and diagrams. It gives small, but practical ways that families can help prepare their home for a hurricane and how to stay safe.
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Amazon or IndieBound
These are only a handful of hundreds of great children’s books about weather. If you have a favorite book that you would like considered to be featured, please feel free to contact us!
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