After rain comes down, the sun comes out and dries the puddles. But the water isn't gone. The heat from the sun has turned it into water vapor-it has evaporated. Eventually, this moisture in the air condenses to form new clouds. Soon the rain will fall again. Read on to find out all the ups and downpours of the water cycle!

This newly illustrated edition of Rain and Hail (Crowell, 1983) is a concise and informative look at the water cycle. Branley provides a fundamental understanding of how water is recycled, how clouds are formed, and why rain and hail occur. A few easy science activities are included. Words that might be unfamiliar to readers are defined in context. The pen-and-ink with watercolor wash paintings clearly interpret the concepts presented on each page. Throughout the book, speech bubbles from a group of children provide further clarification. This beginning reader would be especially useful to elementary teachers, but will also fill a niche for young researchers.

　Franklyn M. Branley was Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium. In 1960, he originated the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Dr. Branley was the author of over 150 science books for children.