Snow: Learning for the Fun of It — John Bianchi

By combining a wealth of factual information about snow with the cartoon illustrations of John Bianchi, this book serves up science in a painless way that both kids and adults will love.

Bianchi and author Frank B. Edwards examine snow from dozens of perspectives, keeping their approach light and the facts interesting. Their explanation of snowflake formation is accompanied by a sidebar about the meteorological pioneer who devoted his lifetime to photographing snowflakes. The movement of glaciers is introduced with an illustration of an advancing ice-sheet creeping along the main street of a city, eroding office towers instead of mountains. After explaining how animals adapt to snow, the book offers a blueprint of the ultimate winter beast - the long-eared snow scooter. Advice on tracking species in the snow includes abominable snowmen as well as rabbits and birds.

After thoroughly racing how snow has affected the planet and how people have learned to cope with its inevitable presence (through such inventions as the snow shovel, skiis and the igloo), the book presents a romp through the snow hall of fame, a useful collection of snow trivia that is guaranteed to delight readers.