5 books inspired by weather

Immerse yourself in the elements with these atmospheric stories.

A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken.

Illustrated by Jan Pienkowski (Puffin Books)

This collection from The Wolves of Willoughby Chase author Joan Aiken has eight spellbinding tales. Discover a magical necklace of raindrops that keeps its owner dry in a rainstorm and a tiger that runs faster than the wind. It includes beautiful silhouette illustrations.

The Cloud Thief by James Nicol (Chicken House)

Mara’s village needs more rain; without it, the crops and animals will suffer. However, in a world where clouds are bought and sold – and are getting more expensive – the only way Mara can get one is to steal it. Will she be brave enough to take on the greedy cloud makers?

The Weather Well by Vashti Hardy.

Illustrated by Natalie Smillie (HarperCollins)

In this adventure from the Griffin Gate fantasy series, Grace and Tom take on the elements. It’s summer in the country of Moreland, and sweltering, but the town of Oakwell is experiencing a freezing snowstorm. Can the young wardens use their mystery-solving skills and amazing inventions to save the day and Oakland’s famous summer market?

Rainbow Grey: Battle for the Skies by Laura Ellen Anderson (Farshore)

In the third book of this weatherinspired series, 10-year-old heroine Rainbow Grey must take on the most evil villain of them all: Tornadia Twist. Can Rainbow use her magic powers to stop Tornadia before she destroys the Weatherlands – and perhaps the whole world?

The Book of Clouds by Juris Kronbergs. Illustrated by Anete Melece (The Emma Press)

This beautiful poetry book includes 25 cloud-inspired poems written by Latvian poet Juris Kronbergs, as well as collage and watercolour illustrations. Funny and playful, it combines scientific fact with fantasy. It might inspire you to create cloud poetry too.