Recommended Children's Books About Hurricanes

Set in San Juan, Sergio and the Hurricane tells the story of Sergio, a Puerto Rico boy, and his family and how they prepare for a hurricane, experience the hurricane, and clean up after the hurricane. When he first hears that a hurricane is coming, Sergio is very excited, although several adults warn him, “A hurricane is a very serious thing.” The story emphasizes all of the preparations the family makes in order to get through the storm safely and the change in Sergio’s feelings as he moves from the excitement of preparing for the storm to his fear during the storm and shock at the damage caused by the storm. The gouache artwork by author and illustrator Alexandra Wallner gives a real sense of Puerto Rico and the effects of a hurricane. At the end of the book, there is a page of facts about hurricanes. Sergio and the Hurricane is a good picture book for five- to eight-year-olds. Compare prices. (Henry Holt and Co., 2000. ISBN: 0805062033)