Best Picture Books About Weather (2026): 5 Picks Compared

The best picture books about weather match the book to the child: some want to name every cloud, others just want a good storm story. We compared five by listed reading age, grade level and print length.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Will the Weather Be? by DeWitt	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Weather Words by Gibbons	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Clouds by Rockwell	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	My World Clouds by Delano	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Storm Book by Zolotow	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Will the Weather Be? by DeWitt

Lynda DeWitt·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The top pick for the young forecaster: weather instruments in simple diagrams.

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Pros

• Explains thermometers and barometers for young forecasters
• Simple diagrams suit primary-grade science readers
• A Climate Change Institute expert vetted it, per the listing

Cons

• Science-first approach may not hold a story-loving reader
• Reading age of 4 to 8 years is a wide band
• The 2015 edition predates the 2019 Weather Words update

2

Weather Words by Gibbons

Gail Gibbons·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The vocabulary pick for a child who asks what every weather word means.

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Pros

• Defines moisture, air pressure and temperature simply
• Clear, labeled drawings back each definition
• A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association expert vetted it

Cons

• Reading age of 4 to 6 years is marked as from customers
• Teaches terms, not a story, so plot-seekers may stall
• At 32 pages it reads as a reference book

3

Clouds by Rockwell

Anne Rockwell·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The cloud-watcher pick for kids who want to read the sky.

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Pros

• Teaches cloud types as weather signs, a direct match
• Level 1 of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out series suits early elementary
• Simple charts and graphics support new readers

Cons

• The title names ages 4 to 8; the listing gives 3 to 6 years, from customers
• The 2008 edition is the second-oldest pick here
• Clouds only: storm- or snow-curious kids will want another book

4

My World Clouds by Delano

Marfe Ferguson Delano·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The photography pick for visual readers ages 3 to 7.

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Pros

• National Geographic photography suits visual young readers
• Includes fun outdoor activities tied to clouds
• Reading age of 3 to 7 years with no from-customers mark

Cons

• Photo-led pages may not suit a text-first child
• Clouds only, so the weather topic stays narrow
• Grade level Preschool to 2 is narrow for an older sibling

5

The Storm Book by Zolotow

Charlotte Zolotow·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The story pick for rainy-day read-alouds, a Caldecott Honor book per the listing.

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Pros

• The listing states it is a Caldecott Honor book
• Poetic story of one summer storm suits rainy-day read-alouds
• Illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham headline the listing

Cons

• The 1989 first edition is the oldest book on this list
• Reading age of 2 to 7 years is marked as from customers
• Storms only, the narrowest topic of the five picks

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More picks to compare

• In the Rain by SpurrFor ages 1 to 3: simple rainy day fun, made for lap reading.Check on Amazon
• Wally Takes a Weather Walk by SmithFor toddlers learning weather words, a weather walk through the seasons.Check on Amazon
• Why Does It Rain? by CarleFor the youngest readers, simple rain facts with Eric Carle illustrations.Check on Amazon
• Rain, Snow or Shine by June & LucyFor ages 3 to 6, weather basics with a weather dog guide.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five listings give a reading age and a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about weather

Match the reading age with the grade level

Read the two listing numbers together, as with What Will the Weather Be?, listed at 4 to 8 years and Preschool to 3. More choices: kids’ books about weather.

Pick science or story first

Clouds teaches with diagrams, while The Storm Book tells a story. The middle ground is children’s books about weather.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: The Storm Book lists a 1989 first edition.
• Compare the reading age and grade level with your reader.
• Note the series level: Clouds is Level 1, What Will the Weather Be? is Level 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these books for?

Reading ages run from 2 to 7 years up to 4 to 8 years.

Which book suits a preschooler?

The Storm Book lists 2 to 7 years; Explore My World Clouds lists 3 to 7 years.

Are these good for the classroom?

The descriptions name classroom use for both books.

Still deciding? Our top pickWill the Weather Be? by DeWitt

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Related lists

See every picture books list and the kids and teens shelf.

More: kids’ books about weather, children’s books about weather and picture books for fall.