GREAT GUSTS
WINDS OF THE WORLD AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM
In a dynamic collection of poems, Melanie Crowder and Megan Benedict explore the world’s winds, from Italy’s swaggering maestro to Libya’s fierce ghibli to Canada’s howling squamish. The poetic styles used reflect the characteristics and sometimes the location of each wind: Japan’s blustery oroshi is celebrated in haiku, for example, while the poem about Britain’s helm uses iambs in a nod toward the iambic pentameter of English sonnets. Sidebars relay the science behind how each wind forms, where it blows, and the weather systems it heralds, and the airy art from award-winning illustrator Khoa Le is overlaid with scientifically accurate wind lines that show the path of each gust. More meteorological details can be found in the back matter, which includes explorations of the origin of wind and how winds are named, a world map pinning the winds’ locations, a glossary, and books for further reading.
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"Expressive poems, vibrant art, and detailed scientific information combine...to illuminate and intrigue on many levels. A stirring addition to poetry collections or to complement Earth-science lessons."
—Booklist, starred review
"Visually stunning poetry collection written by two poets with serious literary chops."
—Lithub
"An easy pick for a seasonal storytime, be sure to have this ready on breezy or blustery days."
—BCCB
"VERDICT: Put this book of poems in the hands of talented science teachers."
—School Library Journal
"You can almost feel the wind on your face as you read... It’s the perfect blend of art and science and has something for everyone."
—Kids Read The World