Synopses & Reviews
When the weather becomes extreme or even unseasonal, "El Nino" is usually the phrase we hear. Every three to seven years, El Nino disrupts weather all over the globe, second only to the change of seasons in its influence on the climate. But what is El Nino? El Nino is the name given to the unusual increase in ocean temperatures along the Peruvian and the Ecuadorian coasts that is part of a larger pattern of changes in wind and weather throughout the world. With El Nino come violent storms and upsets in global food chain that dramatically affect both humans and wildlife. Effects can be as gentle as a mild winter in northeastern United States or as violent as drought in Southeast Asia, brutal storms in South America, and wildfires in Australia. With the help of carefully selected photographs and clarifying charts and maps, Caroline Arnold makes clear how this remarkable weather pattern forms, how scientists track it, what its effects are, and why following its path is of such importance.
Review
'\"...this is seemingly the first book for young people in this important area of study.\" SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL'
Review
"...this is seemingly the first book for young people in this important area of study." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL School Library Journal
Science teachers and students will appreciate this very readable introduction to the El Nino current. In just 48 pages, Arnold explains the complex relationship between the warming of the Pacific current and global weather patterns, decribes the effects of the most recent El Nino and notable ones of the past, and discusses the tracking and forecasting of the phenomenon and the importance of scientists' predictions. Difficult concepts and terms are defined in the text and, again, in a glossary, and attractive, full-color photographs and diagrams clearly show El Nino's disruptive effects.
Booklist, ALA
Synopsis
Every three to seven years, El Nino disrupts weather all over the globe, second only to the change of seasons in its influence on the climate. The 1997-1998 El Nino caused devastating flooding and mudslides in California, crushing tornados in Florida, and erractic weather throughout the entire country. It can be blamed for numerous deaths and disruptions in ecosystems, and has caused millions of dollars of damage. With the help of carefully selected photographs and clarifying charts and maps, Caroline Arnold gives answers to many questions about El Nino: what it is, how it forms, how it influences weather patterns, how scientists track it, and what its effects are.
About the Author
Caroline Arnold always loved books, but as a child she never thought of writing as a career. Born in Pittsburgh, she grew up in Minneapolis and studied art at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa. "It was only after my children were born that I became acquainted with children's books and it occurred to me that I could use my training to become a children's book illustrator. I soon realized that I needed a text to go with the pictures, and the more I wrote, the more I realized that I liked writing as much as or more than drawing. I've always been fascinated by the natural world and love to go to the parks and museums. Perhaps that is why so many of my books are about scientific topics." Arnold is now the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, a neuroscientist, and teaches writing at UCLA Extension. For more information visit www.carolinearnoldbooks.com.