The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes
Grade 3–6—Extraordinary photographs of individual snowflakes are the true highlight of this informational book. With crisp detail and lit up with colored light, the crystals are mesmerizing in their clarity and brilliance. Libbrecht uses a first-person narration to describe the microphotography process that he uses to create the images and then goes on to outline the life cycle of a snowflake. Some elementary science is included in the text, such as the water cycle and the crystallization process, which explains why no two snowflakes are ever alike. Details about why snowflakes always have six branches and why they vary in size so much add interest and depth, offering readers more than just the basics. A solid addition to any science collection, this book will draw in young enthusiasts, and the beautiful photographs will engage casual browsers. Team it with Jacqueline Briggs Martin'sSnowflake Bentley(Houghton, 1998) andSnow Crystals(Dover, 1962), Bentley's own collection of snowflake photographs, for an intriguing lesson on snow.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA(c) Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.