Flurry, Float, and Fly: The Story of a Snowstorm

Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Chiara Fedele
Publisher: Bloomsbury, 2025
ISBN: 978-1547603503 40 pages

Description

When the first flakes of snow swirl toward the ground, it almost feels like magic. But in fact, it's science: a delicate process where cold air and moisture high in the sky work together to create tiny crystals that grow into sparkling snowflakes. Laura Purdie Salas's accessible, poetic text and Chiara Fedele's breathtaking art present the science behind snow and revel in the wonder of winter weather. An author's note delves deeper into the science of snow, making the book an excellent choice for classroom lessons on weather and seasons.

From the north,
a polar freeze...
from the south,
a humid breeze.
All winds advance.
They mix and dance.

On the ground,
the sledders sigh.
No snow to flurry, float, and fly.

Videos

Playlist

1 Videos

Flurry, Float, and Fly!: The Story of a Snowstorm by Laura Purdie Salas and Chiara Fedele

1:59

Photo Gallery

Snow isn't JUST science. It's memories, magic, and wonder, too. 1970s: Me with my mom and sister--lucky enough to ski in California! This is when I fell in love with snow.

2003: Snow tubing with my childhood best friend, Alison

2003: Our daredevil daughter Maddie tries a snowboard.

2009: A huge blizzard hit during a multi-day author visit. School closed early, and I hit the road. A quick rest stop left me drenched.

2014: My favorite neighborhood tree--even more gorgeous after an ice storm.

2017: A snowy landscape in Iceland

2017: Me with the Þingvellir Rift Valley behind me in Iceland

2021: Randy and I out for a winter hike

2023: Our favorite dog-niece, Pumpkin, runs the snow gauntlet outside our front door!

2023: A snow-covered cemetery always feels like the quietest place on earth.

20230401_092653_Book launch day blizzard

2023: It's book launch day. Must be time for a blizzard!

20230401_102150_Randy shovels out Red Balloon

2023: Randy shovels at the Red Balloon Bookshop so people can get to my book launch party.

2023: Snowy evergreens are one of my favorite things about winter.

20240215_122027_Claire and Randy snowball fight

2023: One of our visiting Georgia nieces launches a snowball at Uncle Randy :>D

More for Educators or Writers

Some additional snow/winter poems in my Small Reads Winter Roundup
Loads of snow science and photographs by Dr. Kenneth G. Libbrecht, whose snow photos are featured in the back matter of Flurry, Float, and Fly
All the snow data you could want, from NSIDC
Make a snowstorm in a jar
Add your kids'/students' handmade/decorated snowflakes to my Padlet!

How this Book Got Started

First, I wrote Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm, inspired by my Florida childhood full of frequent, impressive thunderstorms. When my editor asked if I'd be interested in writing a companion book about snow, I positively glowed and sparkled. Snow! I spent my childhood dreaming of, wishing for, yearning for snow! So much so that my husband and I moved to Minnesota shortly after we married. I loved learning about the science of snow while also celebrating the wonder of it.