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Weather is one of the best themes to include in preschool and early elementary learning. Kids love exclaiming when they see snow, rain, or sunshine. They can learn to label different kinds of weather early on in their preschool years. You can discuss and observe weather every day. And, there are loads of great picture books about weather!

We love to combine picture books and hands-on activities when learning about weather. When I create a weather unit for my preschoolers, we often read a new weather picture book every day and complete a corresponding activity, or we read the same book for several days in a row and focus on a new hands-on activity each day (a modified Five in a Row-style).

General Weather Picture Books

• Clouds by Anne Rockwell, Illustrated by Frane Lessac (HarperCollins, 2008) – This book includes various cloud formations, information about what clouds are made of, and a hands-on activity in the back.
• The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola (Holiday House, 1984) – With varied cloud illustrations and fairly detailed terms, Tomie dePaola provides good, in-depth information on cloud formations in this book.
• Who Cares About the Weather by Melvin Berger (Macmillan Early Science Big Books, 1992) – This one would be good for story time and preschool classroom/group environments.
• What Will the Weather Be? by Lynda DeWitt, Illustrated by Carolyn Croll (HarperCollins, 2002) – This book focuses more on predicting weather, and is geared towards ages 4-8.
• Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros (HarperCollins, 2000) – This book details wind, how it operates, and its effects. Great for elementary ages.
• Rain by Marion Dane Bauer, Illustrated by John Wallace (Simon Spotlight, 2013) – These early readers have simple text, but actually discuss somewhat complex concepts of weather. Also check out the rest of the “Ready-to-Reads” series from this author and illustrator on weather: Clouds, Snow, and Wind.
• Down Comes the Rain by Franklyn M. Branley, Illustrated by James Graham Hale (HarperCollins, 1997). Another early reader, but this one goes into a bit more detail and includes interesting illustration and font placement.
• National Geographic  Readers: Weather by Kristin Baird Rattini (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2013) – This early reader touches on kinds of weather, including precipitation and storms.

Seasonal Picture Books

Winter

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Viking Juvenile, 1962) – My son reads The Snowy Day no matter what season it is. Through story, kids learn about how snow melts, activities to do in the snow, and the wonder of snow.
• No Two Alike by Keith Baker (Beach Lane Books, 2011) – This book awakens us all to the uniqueness and wonder of winter.
• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (Chronicle Books, 2011) – In story format, a child learns how different animals survive through winter.

Spring

• It’s Spring! by Linda Glaser, Illustrated by Susan Swan (Millbrook Press, 2002) – This book uses three-dimensional collage combined with playful phrases to highlight elements of spring.
• And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Erin Stead (Roaring Book Press, 2012) – We love this spring book. Its sparse text does not limit its content or power. A beautiful exploration of how things grow in the spring time.
• Weather in Spring by Martha E. H. Rustad (Pebble Plus, 2012) – This book focuses on the weather in spring and includes vibrant photographs.
• How Do You Know It’s Spring? by Lisa M. Herrington (Scholastic, 2013) – This book in the “Rookie Read-About Science” series offers solid information about spring weather, plus experiments and activities to complete.

Summer

• How Do You Know It’s Summer? by Lisa M. Herrington (Scholastic, 2013) – Another one from the “Rookie Read-About Science” series, so you know the information is reliable!
• It’s Summer! by Linda Glaser, Illustrated by Susan Swan (21st century, 2003) – Another from the Glaser/Swan team, this book includes aspects of summer weather and activities.
• The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrated by Linda Bleck (Dutton Juvenile, 2010) – This book looks at the both the science of summer and history of summer traditions.

Fall

• Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone (Henry Holt and Company, 2012) – This book boasts colorful illustrations and touches on many aspects of autumn, including leaf changes, migration, temperature changes, and more.
• I Know It’s Autumn by Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by Nancy Hayashi (HarperCollins, 2004) – We love how this autumn book focuses on everyday activities families can do during the fall season. The activities in this book can easily be converted into real, hands-on activities for kids!
• Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert (HMH Books for Young Readers, 1991) – This brilliantly colored book uses collages and illustration to share a story of exploring autumn.
• Leaves by David Ezra Stein (Putnam Juvenile, 2007) – We enjoy this story of a bear exploring what happens as fall arrives and goes.
• Becky put together a list of 25 favorite fall picture books here on The Library Adventure a few months ago.

Hands-On Activities to Accompany Weather Picture Books

• Felt weather board from Twodaloo
• Good morning chart ideas with weather included (and links to printables)
• Four seasons of sensory boxes plus activities
• 5 Summer weather science experiments from Life at the Zoo
• How to make a weather station from Nurture Store
• Weather Unit study resources from The Homeschool Scientist
• Weather Crafts for Kids from No Time for Flash Cards

What are your kids’ favorite weather books?