Best Weather Books for Kids: Picture Books, Nonfiction, and Chapter Books

Professional weatherman and storm tracker Pat Michaels spins the stories on everything from tornadoes and hurricanes to rainbows and evaporation with gusto. His rhymes thunder through the alphabet with excitement and his factual text resonates like the Northern Lights. Readers will turn the pages with lightning quickness to get to the next weather condition and with each page turned they'll be treated to the mystical illustrations of Canadian-born artist Melanie Rose.

-from Amazon

This fun collection of poems about the weather is a good way to "lure beginning readers—and also younger listeners—to the joy of sounds that make sense." (Booklist)

Weather is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories.

-from Amazon

Introduces weather through photographs and brief text that uses one word relating to weather for each letter of the alphabet.

-from Amazon

Similar to the other weather alphabet book above, but with simpler text for younger children. 

A perfect introduction to how we talk and think about the weather. In clear, accessible language, Gail Gibbons introduces many common terms—like moisture, air pressure, and temperature—and their definitions. Simple, kid-friendly text explains the origins of fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, reinforcing the explanations with clear, well-labeled drawings and diagrams.

-from Amazon

The sweet story of three children who spend a rainy day with their grandfather, picking fresh vegetables in his garden, and then cook and share a meal of healthy vegetable stew.

Splish, splash, puddle dash! It's a rainy summer day, but the vegetables in Grandpa's garden are just waiting to be picked. Yellow peppers, purple cabbage, red tomatoes, green zucchini, orange carrots, and more. So many colors! So many delicious ingredients to slice, chop, peel, and dice for a great big pot of mouthwatering Rainbow Stew. Yum!

-from Amazon

A loud clap of thunder booms, and rattles the windows of Grandma's old farmhouse. "This is Thunder Cake baking weather," calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. But the list of ingredients is long and not easy to find . . . and the storm is coming closer all the time! Reaching once again into her rich childhood experience, Patricia Polacco tells the memorable story of how her grandma—her Babushka—helped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. Ms. Polacco's vivid memories of her grandmother's endearing answer to a child's fear, accompanied by her bright folk-art illustrations, turn a frightening thunderstorm into an adventure and ultimately . . . a celebration!

-from Amazon

Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring―the Weather Girls are ready for whatever the seasons might bring!

It’s summer time. We rise and shine! All set to go. We form a line. A big bright sun. Let’s have some fun. We sing and dive and splash and run.

Follow these busy girls as they climb mountains, fly hot-air balloons, and soak in a rainbow-sky sunset. Charming rhyming verse and adorable art make this picture book irresistible―and perfect for sharing!

-from Amazon

Winifred Weathervane, who makes the "soup" that controls the earth's weather, must cut her vacation short when the weather goes haywire in her absence.

-from WorldCat

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a favorite of grown-ups and children everywhere. The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town—except for its weather which came three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It rained things like soup and juice. It snowed things like mashed potatoes. And sometimes the wind blew in storms of hamburgers. Life for the townspeople was delicious until the weather took a turn for the worse. Something had to be done, and in a hurry.

-from Amazon

Warble is a small yellow warbler who lives on the beautiful island of Icyland, where he pursues his hobby of human watching. But on a warm day, a deep fog rolls in and obscures his view. The rest of the birds don't seem to notice the fog or the other changes Warble observes on the island. The more the fog is ignored, the more it spreads. When a Red-hooded Spectacled Female (Juvenile) appears, Warble discovers that he's not the only one who notices the fog. Will they be able to find others who can see it too? And is the fog here to stay? Kyo Maclear's witty story, brought to life with the delicate, misty artwork of Kenard Pak, is a poignant yet humorous reminder of the importance of environmental awareness.

-from Amazon

Look! The sky is getting cloudy. Does that mean light rain, a thunderstorm, or just an overcast day? Dylan hopes their soccer game won't be rained out. Bel the Weather Girl helps her friends read the clues in the sky. Will it rain on game day? Stay tuned, because every day is another weather day!

-from Amazon

Some clouds are white and fluffy, but others are flat and wet. People can predict the weather based on the type of clouds they see. How do clouds form, and what are they made of? Find out in this cloud-covered book.

-from Google Books

Little Cloud likes to stand out from the crowd. When all the other clouds drift up, he goes his own way, changing shapes to become a sheep, an airplane, a shark and a funny clown. It's all lots of fun, but so is playing with friends. So this time, Little Cloud joins the crowd, gathering with his pals into one giant cloud. And then they rain! In Little Cloud, Eric Carle celebrates the possibilities of imagination with textured collages of sky-blue and white in a story that will encourage the youngest child to "read" clouds.

-from Amazon

Gail Gibbons puts her signature style to work as she looks at rain from a child's perspective: What is rain? Why is it necessary? Where does it come from? She takes the reader through different components of a storm, from the smallest raindrop to the loudest claps of thunder, and includes tips on how to stay safe and dry. With clear facts, simple definitions, and fascinating details, Gibbons's exploration of rain is the perfect choice for curious young readers.

-from Amazon

April showers bring May flowers! Lyrical, rhyming text takes young readers on a journey with furry and feathery friends to experience springtime rain.

-from Amazon

This lyrical, gorgeously illustrated nonfiction picture book is perfect for young science learners and nature lovers. Hello, puddle! Who's here? A normal everyday puddle may not seem very special. But for a mother turtle, it might be the perfect place to lay her eggs. For a squirrel, it might be the only spot to cool off and get a drink when the sun is shining down in July. And for any child, it can be a window into the elegant, complex natural world right outside their window. With lush, playful illustrations and fun facts about the animals featured, Hello, Puddle! is a joyful celebration of the remarkable in the ordinary, and the importance of even the most humble places in fostering life.

-from Amazon

One rainy day, a little boy is upset because he can't go out and play. His mom comes up with a way to keep him entertained—by drawing a picture of herself and him going outside, playing in the rain, and splashing in a giant puddle. They have so much fun drawing themselves that they decide to venture out and make the most of the rainy weather.

-from Amazon

Drip,drop,
skip and hop.

Splish, splash,
sidewalk dash!
It's worm weather!

Join in the rainy-day fun, as kids splash through the puddles, affecting another weather enthusiast, a nearby worm. An imaginative and playful story, readers will love seeing the worm delight in the weather just as much as the kids.

-from Amazon

It's blowing up a storm, and a boy and his grandad decide it's the perfect weather for kite-flying. There's just one problem—first they have to find the kite. Their search brings up lots of wonderful memories of previous adventures together, but when they finally make it outside, their adventure really takes off!

-from Amazon

As “snowpocalypse” descends once again, one temperamental weatherman is determined to set the record straight on the myths and misconceptions surrounding the elements. What is the difference between weather and climate? How do weather satellites predict the future? Can someone outrun a tornado? Does the rotation of the Earth affect wind currents? And does meteorology have anything to do with meteors? Stormin’ Norman Weatherby is gearing up to answer all your wildest questions!

These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. 

-from Amazon

Renowned science author Vicki Cobb makes scientific principles easy for even the youngest kids to understand. Follow this book with a young child who loves to play. Bring along balloons. Find a windy place. Together you'll face the wind and see that learning is a breeze.

Discover science, and the world will never look the same.

Great hands-on activities and irresistible illustrations by Julia Gorton make Science Play a perfect way to learn about science . . . just for the fun of it!

-from Amazon

For preschoolers, windy fall days mean excitement and play. Strong winds stimulate children and their surroundings, as though an invisible hand is shaking the world. Gentler breezes help plants scatter their seeds, set pinwheels in motion, and keep kite strings taut. But fiercer winds begin to sting the cheeks as they bring about a new season…

-from Amazon

With a double-page spread for each month, this book describes the journey of a single drop of water throughout the year.

-from Amazon

Small, soft flakes fall quietly from above. It's snowing! People like to sled and ski in it, but what exactly is snow? How does it form? Included in this crystal clear introduction to one of winter's wonders is information about different types of snowstorms, regions where snow falls, and how to prepare when a snowstorm approaches.

-from Amazon

Wilson Bentley was always fascinated by snow. In childhood and adulthood, he saw each tiny crystal of a snowflake as a little miracle and wanted to understand them.

His parents supported his curiosity and saved until they could give him his own camera and microscope. At the time, his enthusiasm was misunderstood. But with patience and determination, Wilson catalogued hundreds of snowflake photographs, gave slideshows of his findings and, when he was 66, published a book of his photos. His work became the basis for all we know about beautiful, unique snowflakes today.

-from Amazon

Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.

Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.

This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

-from Amazon

Will it be warm or cold? Should we wear shorts or pants? Shoes or rain boots? What Will the Weather Be? uses colorful, simple diagrams to explain meteorology in a fun, engaging way. Perfect for young sciencists and budding meteorologists, this bestseller features clear explanations of everyday weather instruments like thermometers and barometers.

-from Amazon

How does a rainbow form? What causes it to snow? What makes the wind blow? This adorable reference book introduces young children to every aspect of weather and answers the questions curious kids want to know! Always an important topic for young kids, they'll learn how all the various types of weather systems work, from droughts and deserts to snowflakes and blizzards. Stories are accompanied by 100 colorful photos that capture the awe and wonder of our natural world. 

-from Amazon

This fun and educational picture book describes forecasters at work in a weather station as they track and gauge the constant changes in the weather.

Will I need my umbrella?
Is it a good day for the beach?
Will school close because of snow?

These are the questions weather forecasters answer every day. They can tell us what the weather is doing at any time of the day or night. But how do they do it?

-from Amazon

*Even though this book is outdated, if your library has it, you can never go wrong with anything gleaned from a Gail Gibbons book!

DK’s Eyewitness kids books are updated and fact-checked by subject specialists, with brand new first-hand eyewitness accounts throughout from experts in the field. 

-from Amazon

Newly revised and vetted by weather experts from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Tornadoes is an accessible introduction to this fascinating phenomenon. Using her praised combination of clear text and detailed illustrations, Gail Gibbons shares more than fifty tornado facts. . . . including how tornadoes form, the scale used for classifying them, and the safest places to go in case one should happen near you.

-from Amazon

Beloved author Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple address four distinct weather emergencies (a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane) with warm family stories of finding the joy in preparedness and resilience. Their honest reassurance leaves readers with the message: nature is powerful, but you are powerful, too. Illustrated in rich environmental tones and featuring additional information about storms in the back, this book educates, comforts, and empowers young readers in stormy or sunny weather, and all the weather in between.

-from Amazon

Imagine a force that can toss boats around like toys, wash away bridges, create waves as high as eighteen feet, and change the shape of a shoreline. With fierce winds and torrential rains, hurricanes can do all of these things.

In this newly revised edition, vetted by weather experts, Gail Gibbons introduces readers to the concepts of hurricane formation, classification, weather preparedness, and the ever-evolving technology that helps us try to predict the behavior of these powerful storms.

-from Amazon

Record heat. Record storms. Record drought, snow, rain, and ocean levels. What's going on? In a world of crazy weather exacerbated by climate change, knowing about tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, derachos, blizzards, and storms is more important than ever. This book, based on cutting-edge science and first-hand accounts, helps kids learn about what's going on and what to do about it.

-from Amazon

Chase Masters and his father are "storm runners," racing across the country in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Anywhere bad weather strikes, they are not far behind. Chase is learning more on the road than he ever would just sitting in a classroom. But when the hurricane of the century hits, he will be tested in ways he never could have imagined.

Book one in Roland Smith's middle-grade action-adventure series.

-from Amazon

Helicity is well aware that her name is unusual . . . kind of like Helicity herself. The word helicity means to spin in a corkscrew motion, and for as long as she can remember, Helicity has been fascinated by the weather. Her heroes are not reality TV stars, but meteorologists and storm chases.


One fateful day, Helicity and her horse head out on a long ride to take a break from life at home. Even with her experience studying the atmosphere, Helicity is unprepared for a powerful tornado that wipes out her town. The choices Helicity makes before, during, and after that storm will have a lasting effect on her family and her future.

-from Amazon

An adventure to blow you away! That's what Jack and Annie get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the 1870s. They land on the prairie near a one-room schoolhouse, where they meet a teenage schoolteacher, some cool kids, and one big, scary bully. But the biggest and scariest thing is yet to come!

-from Amazon

The horror of Hurricane Katrina is brought vividly to life in this fictional account of a boy, a dog, and the storm of the century.

Barry's family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans. But when Barry's little sister gets terribly sick, they're forced to stay home and wait out the storm. At first, Katrina doesn't seem to be as bad as predicted. But overnight the levees break, and Barry's world is literally torn apart. He's swept away by the floodwaters, away from his family. Can he survive the storm of the century —alone?

-from Amazon

From the moment they met their first fairy at the end of a rainbow, Rachel and Kirsty have been good friends to Fairyland, helping the fairies defend their home against mean Jack Frost, who is on a constant quest to steal their magic. Now they're helping the Weather Fairies, who use their magical feathers to bring weather to Fairyland. At least that's what they're supposed to do—but when the feathers disappear, the weather gets all mixed up! Can Rachel and Kirsty help their friends find their feathers?

-from Amazon