(4) 4-6 Disasters--People in Peril series. Storm looks at why severe weather occurs and its effects on the environment. Fiery recounts the 1980 volcanic eruption and the resulting damage. Waves focuses on the 1946 Hawaiian tsunami and the 2011 disaster in Japan. Illustrated with effective stock photos, these books relate their stories in informative if formulaic narratives. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disasters--People in Peril titles: Deadly Storm Alert!, Deadly Waves, and Fiery Volcano.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA The somewhat blandly written text describes why the El Niño and La Niña events of the late 1990s occurred and how they affected the weather patterns of various global areas. The book also provides information on how scientists use historical accounts and archaeological data, in addition to satellites and computer models, to predict future weather events. The accompanying color photographs are not always well reproduced. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Though Beecroft blames the ocean event El Niño for most of the extreme weather over recent decades, he also explains how other events (global warming, volcanic activity, space weather) contribute. Busy double-page spreads in this oversized book include color photos and computer-generated illustrations. Particularly interesting are explanations of how scientists use both technology and historical accounts to explain El Niño. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Gold discusses what scientists know about the ocean phenomena known as El Niño and La Niña and their role in worldwide extreme weather conditions. A comparison of El Niño events over the past thirty years illustrates the importance of technological advances in weather prediction. Color photos of weather events and computer models of ocean conditions help readers visualize the phenomena. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Though scientists now use computer modeling to predict weather, Seibert shows how basic scientific thinking--careful observation, pattern recognition, sharing information--were practiced for centuries before Western science took hold. Colorful illustrations accompany this well-written text describing the centuries-old awareness of the weather patterns now known as El Niño.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 This overview, illustrated with color photographs, uses data from recent El Niño events to explain how meteorologists monitor the periodic weather occurrences, and how marine life, birds, and mammals are affected for several years after each new episode. Although scientists have still not determined what causes this weather pattern, theories currently under consideration are discussed in the clearly written text. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta