Weather can be an abstract concept, especially for our early childhood learners. Picture books are an amazing way to learn about the world and can be an invaluable tool for introducing children to scientific skills and concepts. This list of children’s story books about weather includes 12 titles that can help with your weather studies, water cycle units, and where water can be found lessons.

By reading some of these books to your students you are supplementing your science instruction with children’s literature. This technique can help generate interest and motivation, provide context, encourage communication, and connect science information in real-world context (Mahzoon-Hagheghi, 2018, 41). Read this list of children’s story books about weather to get some amazing titles to develop scientific skills in your students!

Children’s story books about weather elements

Sunshine by Cassie Mayer

Reading age: Kindergarten – 1st Grade (5-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1

Mayer introduces the concept of the sun in this simply written, informational text. She addresses what weather is and the role that the sun plays here on Earth, including affecting the weather and the seasons. There are descriptions about the changes in the sun’s height and how that affects the amount of light we experience as well as its strength and the resulting temperature differences. There is even a brief description about how the sun can be different in different locations around the world. This is a simple, but good introduction for young learners being introduced to weather.

*Bonus – like this title on the children’s story books about weather list? This book belongs to a series called the Weather Watchers series and includes the following three picture books and more!

Clouds by Cassie Mayer

Reading age: Kindergarten – 1st Grade (5-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1

Mayer introduces the concept of the clouds in this simply written, informational text. Formatted just like the other books in this series, she begins by addressing what weather is and the role of clouds here on Earth. There are descriptions about different types of clouds and what each type of cloud could bring to the Earth’s surface. The book is illustrated with diagrams and real pictures of clouds which is helpful for young readers to be able to see. Again, a simple, but effective introduction to clouds for young learners.

*Bonus – like this title on the children’s story books about weather list? This book belongs to a series called the Weather Watchers series and includes the first four picture books on this list plus Thunder and Lightning and Wind!

Rain by Cassie Mayer

Reading age: Kindergarten – 1st Grade (5-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-ESS2-3

Mayer introduces the concept of rain in this simply written, informational text. Formatted just like the other books in this series, she begins by addressing what weather is and the role of rain here on Earth. There is a brief breakdown of the water cycle and how clouds fill with water vapor that comes down as rain. The book is illustrated with diagrams and real pictures of rain which is helpful for young readers to be able to see. Again, a simple, but effective introduction to rain for young learners.

*Bonus – like this title on the children’s story books about weather list? This book belongs to a series called the Weather Watchers series and includes the first four picture books on this list plus Thunder and Lightning and Wind!

Snow by Cassie Mayer

Reading age: Kindergarten – 1st Grade (5-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-ESS2-3

Mayer introduces the concept of snow in this simply written, informational text. Formatted just like the other books in this series, she begins by addressing what weather is and the role of snow here on Earth. There is a brief breakdown of the water cycle and how clouds fill with water vapor that comes down as snow when it’s cold. The book is illustrated with diagrams and real pictures of snow which is helpful for young readers to be able to see. There is even a brief description about how snow can be different in different locations around the world. Again, a simple, but effective introduction to snow for young learners.

*Bonus – like this title on the children’s story books about weather list? This book belongs to a series called the Weather Watchers series and includes the first four picture books on this list plus Thunder and Lightning and Wind!

Looking for more books about snow? Check out my list of 12 Snow Books to Support Your Elementary Curriculum!

Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons

Reading age: Preschool – 1st Grade (4-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-1

Gibbons begins this informational text with an explanation that weather is made by temperature, air pressure, moisture, and wind. She then goes on to describe what each of those elements is and how they affect each other and create the weather. Gibbons gives descriptions of the different types of clouds and what those clouds tell us about the weather. She then goes on to explain about other weather elements as they relate to temperatures, wind, moisture, and air pressure. Although this book is suggested for kids preschool through 1st grade, I would suggest using it for 3rd graders and up due to its vocabulary, abstract concepts, and length.

Weather words introduced in this book on the children’s story books about weather list include: temperature, air pressure, moisture, wind, cirrus clouds, stratus clouds, cumulus clouds (and cloud types in between – cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, nimbostratus, altostratus, stratocumulus, altocumulus, and cumulonimbus), evaporates, water vapor, drizzle, shower, rain, rainstorm, floods, thunderstorm, lightning, rainbow, freezes, flurries, snowstorm, sleet, blizzard, hail, gale, hurricane, tornado, air mass, and a front.

Books about experiencing weather

Worm Weather by Jean Taft

Reading age: Preschool – Kindergarten (2-4 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2

Taft uses rhyme and rhythm to introduce signs and weather of spring. Focusing on rain, the children in the book notice worms, dress for the weather, jump in mud, experience a thunderstorm, and a rainbow. If you’re looking for a book for your weather unit, this is a great option for your early childhood learners! They’ll love the play on words and the silly things the children in the story do.

Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley

Reading age: Preschool – 1st Grade (3-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2, 1-PS4-1, 3-ESS2-1, 4-PS3-2

Branley shares information about thunderstorms with an introduction of a family’s day mixed with diagrams and scientific explanations. The family starts off spending time outside on a relaxing day and then the clouds start to look dark. They all head inside before the thunderstorm begins and then Branley shares the science behind the building of a storm in the atmosphere, how lightning is made, how lightning makes thunder, how sound waves move, and suggestions on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm.

Zap! Clap! Boom! by Laura Purdie Salas

Reading age: Preschool – 1st Grade (3-6 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2, 3-ESS2-1

Salas uses rhythm and rhyme to share how thunderstorms form. She starts with a calm day and describes signs of the impending storm such as warmer air rising, fluffy clouds forming, winds, clouds darkening, and then thunder. The illustrations show the children from the story inside during the thunderstorm but then adventuring back outside when it clears; a great way to show weather safety while bringing awareness to how thunderstorms can look. The book ends with information for the reader about the science behind how storms form. The lovely illustrations make thunderstorms look less scary for those of your students that may have a fear of storms.

Weather and the water cycle

When Cloud Became a Cloud by Rob Hodgson

Reading age: Preschool – Kindergarten (3-5 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-1

This is a fun narrative that shares how the water cycle and weather work together to make clouds and change them into the different shapes and colors that we see in the world. Broken up into chapters, this picture book starts with water droplets forming a cloud that travels thanks to the sun and wind. She ends up at a location where she gets so cold her water droplets return to the Earth as snow. She has some fun joining some fog close to the ground.

After traveling some more, she gathers a lot of water droplets, gets full and gray, and then she rains. The cloud ends up grouping together with a bunch of other clouds, creates a cloud party, ends up making an electric charge, and then a storm happens! This cute story is perfect for introducing early childhood learners to weather and its elements and they’ll love the adventures that cloud goes on!

Down Comes the Rain by Franklyn M. Branley

Reading age: Preschool – 2nd Grade (3-7 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-1

Branley describes the water cycle in depth using words like evaporate, condensation, and melting in the context of precipitation. They also describe different kinds of clouds that are made from the water vapor in the air and how those different clouds can make rain. This is a pretty descriptive informational text with rich science vocabulary including water vapor, evaporates, condenses, and freeze. Although it’s rated for preschool through 2nd grade for reading age, I would suggest using this for older students due to its length and vocabulary.

The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson, Ph.D.

Reading age: Preschool – 3rd Grade (3-8 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-1, 5-ESS2-1

This informational book introduces the water cycle and how snowflakes are made in the atmosphere. Related to the change in temperature, the types of clouds the snowflake is forming in, and other weather conditions, this book brings together weather and the water cycle to show how interconnected nature is. There are examples of different types of snowflakes and what conditions are required to make them. There are also snowflake photographs sprinkled throughout the book.

From River to Raindrop by Emma Carlson Berne

Reading age: Kindergarten – 4th Grade (5-9 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-ESS2-1, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS2-3, 3-ESS2-1, 5-ESS2-1

This informational text focuses on the water cycle and consequentially how that powers precipitation in weather. There is mention of the role of the sun, wind, temperature, and other weather elements in the water cycle as water moves from the river, into the clouds, and back to the ground. Water cycles words such as gas, liquid, evaporate, and condensation are used throughout the book to give your early childhood learners practice with the vocabulary. The use of real pictures makes this subject more approachable and digestible for students.

In a nutshell

Hopefully after reading this list of children’s story books about weather you’ve found a wonderful book (or two or three…) to read with your class during your weather or water unit. If you’re looking for a weather wheel to help your early childhood learners identify weather elements, check out my “FREE Printable Weather Wheel and Lesson Plan for Teachers”. Cara gave this weather wheel 5⭐️ and said, “Oh my gosh this couldn’t be any easier! My kids love to color this and use it for our daily weather. I’ve had many parents tell me that their children still use it at home months later!” Enjoy your weather studies, it’s sure to be a highlight for your students!

Works Cited

Mahzoon-Hagheghi, M.; Yebra, R.; Johnson, R. (2018). Fostering a Greater Understanding of Science in the Classroom Through Children’s Literature. Texas Journal of Literacy Education, 6(1), 41-50. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1183979.pdf

Have amazing children’s story books about weather that weren’t listed? Include your favorites in the comments!

Check out this podcast episode for unique ways to teach with books!

Looking for more lists of books? Check out these other articles: 

“12 Snow Books to Support Your Elementary Curriculum“

“12 Stellar Books About the Moon, Sun, and Eclipses”

“18 Kids Earth Day Books to Inspire Elementary Students this Year”

“11 Fantastic Animal Life Cycles Books By John Himmelman”

“A Free Fall Picture Books List For Teachers With 16 Recommendations”

“16 Wonderful Children’s Books About Winter For Elementary Teachers”

“A Fantastic Spring Picture Book List For Elementary Teachers With 20 Titles”

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