The Skies Above


Book Description

"The Skies Above explains nearly any and everything weather-related...enlightening and a worthwhile source" -- Portland Book Review 2022 National Outdoor Book Award Silver Medalist in Nature/Environment Full-color photography and illustrations Details seasonal events, from Nor’easters and northern lights to fire whirls and tornadoes Sidebars dive into fascinating facts, quirky phenomena, historic weather events, myths, and more Written by self-professed weather geek Dennis Mersereau, The Skies Above is designed to inspire equal parts amazement and curiosity. Accessible science, illuminating illustrations, and stunning photography bring the meteorological world to life. From basics such as weather fronts and types of precipitation to more unusual occurrences like polar vortexes, meteor showers, solar eclipses, and the spectacular mammatus clouds that signify a supercell thunderstorm, Mersereau tracks key phenomena across the seasons and demystifies celestial events visible to the naked eye but still enigmatic to most. He also delves into how climate change affects weather, forecasts, and other events, such as devastating wildfires and historic hurricanes churning across the Atlantic Ocean. The Skies Above provides readers with a deeper understanding of the processes and events that fill our skies, which not only soothes the anxiety produced by raucous storms, but instills a stronger and more meaningful appreciation of the beauty of days both stormy and calm.




In the Clouds


Book Description

A luminous journey into the sky for daydreamers and cloud enthusiasts big and small, from renowned paper-diorama artist Elly MacKay. A bored and curious little girl wishes for a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. But a friendly bird soon whisks her off for an adventure in the sky, where she can contemplate questions both scientific and philosophical in nature: how do clouds float? Or carry the rain? Where do they go when they disappear? Are there clouds on other planets? Do they have memories? Have they ever seen a girl like her? This dreamy picture book from the inimitable Elly MacKay features her trademark stunning, light-infused spreads that beautifully capture the wondrousness of clouds and the power of nature to inspire and stimulate imaginations.




Simply Painting


Book Description

-- Brings painting to life by making it fun and enjoyable. -- Designed for people who have never painted before. -- Based on the methods used in the "Simply Painting" PBS TV series. The Simply Painting series is a completely new, no-nonsense approach to watercolor and acrylic painting. Its unique techniques simplify the process of painting, unlock many secrets, and prove that anyone can paint. The series is presented in full color, with large type and an easy to follow, step-by-step method of painting. The first book in each series presents an introduction to painting for beginners, with basic information on watercolor or acrylic painting, and the materials needed. Volume Two in each series builds on the lessons previously learned, but can also be used on its own.




Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky


Book Description

It's 1942: Tomi Itano, 12, is a second-generation Japanese American who lives in California with her family on their strawberry farm. Although her parents came from Japan and her grandparents still live there, Tomi considers herself an American. She doesn't speak Japanese and has never been to Japan. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, things change. No Japs Allowed signs hang in store windows and Tomi's family is ostracized. Things get much worse. Suspected as a spy, Tomi's father is taken away. The rest of the Itano family is sent to an internment camp in Colorado. Many other Japanese American families face a similar fate. Tomi becomes bitter, wondering how her country could treat her and her family like the enemy. What does she need to do to prove she is an honorable American? Sandra Dallas shines a light on a dark period of American history in this story of a young Japanese American girl caught up in the prejudices and World War II.




Under a Summer Sky


Book Description

As two close-knit families spend one summer preparing for the joyous celebration of a wedding, they must rely on each other as problems arise.




Clouds


Book Description

Clouds have been objects of delight and fascination throughout human history, their fleeting magnificence and endless variety having inspired scientists and daydreamers alike. Described by Aristophanes as “the patron goddesses of idle men,” clouds and the ever-changing patterns they create have long symbolized the restlessness and unpredictability of nature, and yet they are also the source of life-giving rains. In this book, Richard Hamblyn examines clouds in their cultural, historic, and scientific contexts, exploring their prevalence in our skies as well as in our literature, art, and music. As Hamblyn shows, clouds function not only as a crucial means of circulating water around the globe but also as a finely tuned thermostat regulating the planet’s temperature. He discusses the many different kinds of clouds, from high, scattered cirrus clouds to the plump thought-bubbles of cumulus clouds, even exploring man-made clouds and clouds on other planets. He also shows how clouds have featured as meaningful symbols in human culture, whether as ominous portents of coming calamities or as ethereal figures giving shape to the heavens, whether in Wordsworth’s poetry or today’s tech speak. Comprehensive yet compact, cogent and beautifully illustrated, this is the ultimate guidebook to those shapeshifters of the sky.




The Story of Gösta Berling


Book Description

Gösta Berling's Saga is a novel by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, published in 1891. The protagonist of the novel is a defrocked Lutheran priest who has been saved by the Mistress of Ekeby from freezing to death and thereupon becomes one of her pensioners in the manor at Ekeby.




Do You Know That Clouds Have Names?


Book Description

Meet the clouds! Simon, Anita, and Dennis learn that clouds can look like horse tails, cauliflower, water ripples, sheep, and other things while they learn the names of different types of clouds. This storybook is one of several Elementary GLOBE books. Elementary GLOBE is designed to introduce K-4 students to the study of Earth system science (ESS). The storybooks form an instructional unit that addresses ESS and related subjects including air quality, climate, clouds, water, seasons, and soils. The science content provided in the books serves as a springboard to GLOBE's scientific protocols, and also provides students with a meaningful introduction to technology, a basic understanding of the methods of inquiry, and connections to mathematics and literacy skills. Each book has associated hands-on learning activities to support learning exploration. For more information, please visit www.globe.gov/elementaryglobe. The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, sponsored by NASA, is a hands-on international education and science program that joins students, educators, citizen scientists, and scientists from around the world in studying Earth system science (ESS). The core objectives of GLOBE are to improve science education, enhance environmental awareness, and increase understanding of Earth as a system through data collection and analysis. For more information, please visit www.globe.gov.




The Complete Book of Textures for Artists


Book Description

Learning to render a variety of textures is a fundamental skill for any fine artist, no matter the chosen media or subject matter. The Complete Book of Textures for Artists features more than 275 step-by-step lessons, tips, and techniques for rendering a wide range of textures in a variety of media, including graphite pencil, charcoal, colored pencil, oil, and acrylic. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, The Complete Book of Textures for Artists features a wide variety of both traditional and contemporary techniques. After an introduction to the basic tools and materials, discover a variety of drawing and painting techniques, such as hatching, crosshatching, shading, blending, layering, burnishing, and more. Organized into sections based on subject matter and media, each page features easy-to-follow steps demonstrating how to create each specific texture. Not only will you learn a variety of techniques, but you’ll also discover new ideas and inspiration for using the techniques in your own projects. Packed with easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of helpful artist tips, The Complete Book of Textures for Artists is the perfect resource for beginning and established artists who are ready to master the intricacies of rendering realistic texture in their artwork.




summer skies


Book Description

This book is written over the sunlit May, a lackadaisical June, a warm July, and a somewhat nostalgic August of 2023. While a golden filter was cast upon everything and sunflowers were tucked neatly in a corner and as the small window in my room flooded it with sunlight, I wrote these lines. Summer is carried in us in the little fragments of the joys that we steal from paper planes and summer vacations, and clouds sailing across the sky. The sunsets, the memories, the blessing that is sunshine generously poured into your existence and life comes easily to you. I hope you can find a piece of yourself in these verses.