"Lions, Leopards and Storms, Oh My" takes readers on an educational journey through a thunderstorm. Author Heather Beal engages her audience with eye-catching illustrations and occasional jokes - all while teaching the basics of meteorology and severe weather safety! As a meteorologist, I highly recommend this book for parents to read with young children, or for teachers to read with their students! 

Designed to help children ages 3-8 safety practices to survive severe thunderstorms, "Lions, Leopards, and Storms, Oh My!" tells the story of Lily and Niko Rabbit who witness a scary thunderstorm while they are at school. This safety story is greatly enhanced by cheery illustrations of all sorts of animal children as characters. Mr. Raccoon, a visiting parent who is also a meteorologist, explains what causes thunderstorms, thunder and lightning, and even hail and strong winds. Because lightning is electricity, children can't play outside in a thunderstorm. All children need to get inside a safe building as soon as they hear the sound of thunder. Mrs, Raccoon teaches the children a song to help them remember what to do when it storms: "When lightning flashes or thunder shouts, go indoors until its quiet out. / If the wind blows hard, or hail goes plop, play inside 'til the raindrops stop." All the children sang and danced the storm song, then they made storm safety cards to take home and share with their families. This safety series for preschoolers and up is educational, informative, and fun.