10 People Who Should Read "Wilder Weather"
You, of course! And who else might enjoy it?
Doesn’t every author think that everyone should read their book? Well, of course! But let’s get a little more specific. I think there are some folks who will particularly enjoy Wilder Weather, people I had in mind as I wrote the book. Do you know some people who match these descriptions? If so, share this link/email to them to spread the word, or give it to them as a gift!
1. Weather geeks, weenies, nerds, fans, spotters, enthusiasts, and professionals
Wilder Weather contains tidbits and chapters about all kinds of weather: tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, floods, droughts, extreme cold, hurricanes, wildfires, and of course, “grasshopper weather.” It includes weather of the past, a bit of the history of weather observations, weather folklore, and weather patterns. There’s something in it for fans of all weather types!
2. Your parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other folks from earlier generations who grew up reading the Little House books (or watching the show)
They will enjoy the nostalgia of reading about Laura Ingalls Wilder again and remembering some of the stories from the books. Plus, it will give you common ground to talk about weather of the past and weather now, extreme weather events that have shaped people’s lives, and how the way we interact with the weather around us has changed through the years.
3. Teachers and homeschool parents
Wilder Weather creates links among science, literature, and history, allowing lessons that can connect among subject areas and across curricula. Literature (storytelling) brings science to life, science sharpens our lens on literature, and weather of the past is just as much a part of our history as other events in the past.
4. History buffs
Laura Ingalls Wilder recorded a corner of America’s history when she wrote her Little House book. She told the story, through her own eyes, of life as a settler in the Plains and Midwest. Weather is a part of that history, part of the story. Weather of the past is history, too, and it can be in the background of historical events or the cause and driver of those events. Weather and history are inextricably linked.
5. That person who is afraid of storms
Lean in. I have a secret for you.
I was afraid of storms, too.
Read more about it in the prologue of Wilder Weather, including how that fear drove my passion to learn about weather. Learning about the scary things can help empower us to make decisions that keep us safe. (Knowledge is power, right?) What better way to learn than through Laura Ingalls Wilder’s gentle voice and rich descriptions of the weather around her?
6. Bonnetheads, Lauriati, and whatever else we call die-hard Laura Ingalls Wilder/“Little House on the Prairie” fans
OK, so this group is kind of obvious, but I couldn’t leave out the folks who are the biggest fans of the books and show! For those who already have a bookshelf full of books and artifacts, Wilder Weather will be a unique addition to their collections, shelved alongside Prairie Fires, Pioneer Girl, The Beautiful Snow, Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little Town, and so many others that line the shelves of those of us who want to absorb every bit of knowledge we can about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and life!
7. Farmers, fishers, hunters, gardeners, and anyone else who is connected to the outdoors and landscape around them
Weather shapes the land, plants, animals, and life beneath it. A storm can knock down trees and displace wildlife, let alone the disruption it causes to human lives. Weather over time (also known as climate) also shapes landscapes and lives, more so than any one weather event. Rivers warm up, and trout become harder to find. Repeated droughts weaken stands of trees, allowing pests like a bark beetle to invade and damage the trees even further, which then makes them susceptible to wildfires. Farmers pay attention to the weather and its effect on the land and soil because their livelihoods depend on it. Wilder Weather explores that connection between the weather, climate, and the landscapes and plants and animals (also known as the environment) around us.
8. Anyone who wonders what weather will look like in the future
The weather of Laura’s days is not the same as the weather of now, and it is clear that the weather of the future also will be different from the weather of now. What can we learn about those changes by listening to Laura’s perspective on the weather of her days, paying attention to the weather around us now, and understanding what might change in the future? Wilder Weather explores those changes over time, too.
9. Science communicators
Some scientists are very happy to stay close to their technical work and write for other scientists. Some communicators are very happy to avoid science. But there is a group of people with one foot in the science world and the other in the world of communications, helping explain the technical science in language and stories that make sense and give meaning for those who are not creating the science. We science communicators enjoy each other’s stories, learning from what has gained people’s interests. Science communicators, you will find stories in Wilder Weather that you can add to your repertoire, as we all learn from each other to engage with our audiences and keep readers’ interest.
10. You!
If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re already familiar with Wilder Weather of all types. You probably already like the weather, climate, Laura Ingalls Wilder, or all three! Why wait? Order Wilder Weather so you can have it delivered as early as possible! Plus, preorders are super helpful for the publisher. And don’t forget, if you’re attending LauraPalooza, you can get your copy hand-delivered by the publisher and signed by me right there, as long as you order from the South Dakota Historical Society Press and make a note of it when you order!
Want me to sign your book but won’t be attending LauraPalooza? I’ll be making some visits to Laura Ingalls Wilder homesites and museums, as well as other sites, after the book release. Stay tuned for dates and places! And if I’m not coming your way anytime soon, I believe I will be able to send out signed bookplates. Stand by for details. I’m new at this and still learning!
Did I miss anyone who would enjoy Wilder Weather and its intersection of weather and climate, history, and Laura Ingalls Wilder? Let me know in the comments!
