Snow Watch

Pat Galloway, formerly the resource librarian at the Toronto & District
Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation, is currently with the
Scarborough Public Library.

This well-organized book gives winter-weary kids and parents a new
perspective on the winter white stuff. Be prepared, though, for
snowballs in the freezer and glaciers on the table, for Snow Watch
offers a highly interactive approach to studying snow and ice.

From the snow’s formation to preparation for waiting out a blizzard,
the book is filled with enough facts and activities to leave the reader
with a thorough understanding of the science of snow. The many simple
experiments, such as kitchen crystal formation and snow acidity
measurement, can be accomplished with easily available household or
craft materials. Children will learn what conditions create their
favorite “packing” snow, and how the Inuit have many terms for the
various types of snow. Through an experiment that measures the
insulating quality of snow, they will see how insect and animal life can
continue through the winter under a cosy white blanket. The entertaining
text gives capsule explanations for such natural phenomena associated
with the winter weather as chinooks, glaciers, and moraines.

The book reinforces its main points with colorful and humorous
illustrations. Easy for 8- to 11-year-olds to use on their own, it will
also provide many stimulating moments of discovery for young children
with adult assistance. A perfect antidote to the blues in those long
weeks when winter seems to never end. Highly recommended.