Clouds, Waves and Wind by Sarah Zambello illustrated by Susy Zanella

Reading Time: There is so much to look at, read about and think about on each page that this book could not be read-through in one sitting. It is a book to return to over and over again, learning a little more each time and gradually coming to appreciate the long history of love and curiosity humanity has had with the sea. The production and design are handsome, professional, and irresistible.

Bookseller blurb: Come on an illustrated expedition across the seas to discover why the ocean has always fascinated us. Ride over wild seas and calm waters. Learn about currents, tides and how to classify waves. Be awestruck by the power of the ocean.

I spied one book from this series in a city bookstore and I was hooked. If I was still purchasing books for my school library I would most certainly add these three titles. The Wave Atlas for example would be so perfect for my previous school which is located in a coastal suburb - as you might imagine surfing is a very popular sport and I am sure the students are quite expert on the topic of waves. Thames and Hudson always produce books of the highest quality. The retail price of these books is AUS$35 but I have found copies online for around AUS$28. The author and illustrator are both from Italy.  Each book has 80 pages and are aimed at readers aged 8+. 

Here are the Italian titles: Nuvolario. Atlante delle nuvole (Clouds); Ondario. I movimenti del mare (Waves); Ventario. Le Scale dei Venti (Wind); and one we don't have in English yet about Snow - Nevario. Le forme della neve. There is also one about Comets in Italian.  I love the cover of the waves book:

As with Cloud Atlas, the same creative duo behind Wave Atlas somehow manages to bring the concept of waves alive. Enticing snippets of historical information weave throughout the text while real images and artwork distil together leaving no doubt as to the many moods and forces the ocean is capable of assuming. Kids' Book Review

Here are the other two titles:

Bookseller blurb: Come on an illustrated expedition through the atmosphere to learn about the world's air currents. Discover ways to measure the wind's force and learn how air pressure systems affect the weather. Float on gentle breezes, sway as the wind picks up and get blown away by a gale force. It's time to get swept up by the power of the wind.

Cloud Atlas takes this scientific obsession up a level or atmosphere as it were. Presenting as a benign coffee table type book, this beautiful collection of clouds speaks to Nephophiles (lovers of all things cloudy) and curious kids alike. Kids' Book Review

Reading Time: Clouds are with us nearly every day, offering us moods, shade, beauty, and fascinating shapes that prompt our imaginations. Sarah Zambello’s Cloud Atlas is an introduction for children, offering scientific, artistic and historical answers to all the questions they might have about clouds. Each page is comprehensively illustrated, either schematically or realistically, in gentle blues, whites and sunset or sunrise colours.

Bookseller blurb: Come on an illustrated expedition across the sky to discover why clouds have always fascinated us. Enjoy blazing sunsets, raging storms, bright blue skies and inky nights while learning the different types of clouds and what kind of weather you can expect from each variation.

It's time to see the skies with new eyes.

I am a bit crazy about clouds - I joined the Facebook group The Cloud Appreciation Society where people post photos of the most amazing clouds. And one of my most favourite books (long long out of print and very old) is this one:

Clouds