Books for a Windy Day

Disclaimer: I actually composed this and scheduled it last Saturday. Little did I know the Dallas area would have a very windy day yesterday...Hopefully these books emphasize the benevolent aspects of the wind.

Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall/illustrated by Matt Phelan

Flora's having a fit. Little brother Crispin's sitting in a pile of spilled paint. And the frazzled mother, looking up wearily from her laptop, sends the whole lot outside. However, Flora and Crispin are soon swept up by the swirling wind, that at first is scary, but then is like "riding along on a squishy flying chair." After turning down several offers to get rid of her little brother, Flora decides it might be best to go home. And what has that frazzled mother been doing this whole time? Why baking chocolate chip cookies, of course.

It's Too Windy! by Hans Wilhelm

A complaining puppy has a chance to save a runaway stroller and is richly rewarded. So will the beginning reader as he makes his way through this page turner for the pajama set.

Sophie's Window by Holly Keller

The first graders in 1B were surprised that this book was not about Sophie, but Caruso, a pigeon who is afraid of flying. One night, awakened by the wind, Caruso is whooshed away. Luckily he lands at Sophie's window. She helps him slowly hop his way home. A few days later, motivated by wanting to visit his new friend, Caruso finally flaps his wings and, as the first graders guessed, "was flying!"

The Windy Day by Anna Milbourne/illustrated by Elena Temporin/designed by Laura Parker

Brightly clothed kids wonder. What makes kites fly, sailboats go, and sycamore trees grow? From clotheslines to windmills, this comfortingly puffy book outlines the various ways wind works.