"Plants use wind to carry their seeds." These easy readers explore a single science topic in a basic but informative way, all the while encouraging new readers with repeated words and short sentences. The pleasant illustrations provide contextual clues. Additional facts about wind and snow are appended. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Snow and Wind.]

Bauer provides a simple explanation of snow in this beginning level easy reader, the second in a series of weather-themed volumes from this team. The text explains cloud formation, snow crystal formation and size, and snow's place in the water cycle, all in just a few simple sentences. Wallace provides charming watercolor illustrations of two children and a gray dog waiting for the snow and then having fun skating and sledding together. The younger child helps the main character to build a snowman on the cover, and both are so bundled up against the cold (in gender-neutral winter wear) that the reader can't be sure if the children are boys or girls. Bold blobs of white paint serve as the snowflakes against wintry blue skies, and the scenes of spring weather with melting snow include snow-capped peaks with pink and orange shadows or reflections splashed across the mountains. First- and second-grade teachers will find this useful in the classroom for science as well as for the easy reader shelves. (author's note) (Easy reader. 5-8)

K-Gr 2-A young child and a dog explore the wonders of winter in this appealing story. The author uses simple sentences to demystify the reason for snow, while still expressing the sense of excitement that youngsters feel about it. The colorful watercolor illustrations go perfectly with the text. There's an amazing amount of information packed into this short book. A delightful beginning reader.-Tracy Bell, Durham Public Schools, NC Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.