Our Great City

Photo By: Skipping Stone Studio

Recently OurGreatCity.com had the pleasure of sitting down to visit with local Meteorologist and now author, Kristine Kahanek. Kristine is anxiously anticipating the arrival of her new children’s book, Katie and the Magic Umbrella to arrive in stores September 1st. This book is about weather (surprise) and how to calm children’s fears about weather though the magic of storytelling. Reading is something that she values with her own children and encourages all of us to spend time reading together with our children.

My son and I have read the book and we both learned a little something about weather and enjoyed a new book together! There is a place for discussion so that children can discuss their fears and families can plan the “safe place” in their own home.

INTERVIEW:

• Tell me a little bit about your new book “Katie and the Magic Umbrella” and how it came about.

Katie and the Magic umbrella is about a little guardian angel named Katie who comes to help two children who are frightened as a storm brews outside their window one night. She takes them on a magical adventure around the storm and helps the children understand everything from how clouds make rain to how they make tornadoes. This book was written in memory of our daughter, Katherine (Katie), whom my husband and I lost when I was 8 months pregnant. We think of Katie as our guardian angel, and I hope she becomes a friend and guardian angel to every child who reads this book.

• For what age group is it appropriate?

This book is appropriate for children from about the age of 4 – 9 years old. It is a book that you can read to your child and then later have them read it to you.

• How can parents and educators best use “Katie and the Magic Umbrella”?

I hope to see Katie and the Magic Umbrella used at home and in schools to teach children about how storms develop, and how to be prepared when one happens. The best way to calm their fears is through knowledge and understanding. That’s why I included discussion questions and weather glossary in the back. It’s a way for parents and educators to engage children and drive the information home.

• You speak a lot at schools. What are some of the most interesting questions that children have posed about weather?

Children ask so many great questions, especially about tornadoes. Probably because we are in the southern end of tornado alley and they want to understand where they come from and where they need to go to be safe. They ask about lightning, and why it might hit one house and not another, why the sky is blue and why we have rainbows.

• Kids are usually simultaneously scared and fascinated by storms. And to what would you attribute their general fascination with weather?

I believe that children are fascinated by and fear weather because it changes all the time; it is unpredictable and can be mysterious.

• What led you to studying meteorology? When did you know that you wanted to study weather?

I’ve had a passion for weather since the 4th grade. I grew up in Central Ohio where we would have night storms during the summer and I remember being so scared. As I got a little older, I read as many books as I could find on weather. My father was an Air Force Pilot who also taught me a lot about weather. When I was a senior in High School, I decided to major in Meteorology at Texas A&M.

• As a TV Meteorologist, do you actually predict the weather? Or do predictions come from the National Weather Service? How involved do you become in the predictions?

I am totally involved in the weather forecast. I went to school to be a meteorologist, so I do my own forecast. I utilize various websites and look at the data during my prep time to create my own forecast. I also consult with my fellow meteorologists on staff. We each do our own forecast, but have to agree on numbers before our graphics are built to show to viewers at home.

• With all the major storm damage of the last few years, the public cannot help but wonder just how far in advance we can actually predict severe weather? And when there is a prediction of extremely dangerous weather, what really can be done to protect the public?

Most times we can forecast severe weather at least 1-2 days in advance, but we need the public to take responsibility and watch the weather as often as possible, especially from late Fall to late spring. Awareness that bad weather may happen and having a severe weather safety plan is the best defense. This is where “ Katie and the Magic Umbrella” can help families alleviate some anxiety that children may feel when a storm is coming and knowing where your safe place is. The book has two pages of Questions and Answers for families to share knowledge and ideas on how they would deal with a storm in their own home.

• Being a Meteorologist and having a Family must keep you pretty busy. What motivates your creativity and how do you find time to write?

Motivation for me has come from the many parents that have called the station or emailed me asking if I could talk to their child about thunderstorms with hopes that I could somehow calm their fears.
As for writing the book, amazingly it didn’t take me long to write the main story. Most I wrote last summer while vacationing with my family in Michigan.

• Where will we be able to find your book?

The book will be in stores nationwide September 1st at Barnes & Noble, Borders and at other major bookstores. The book is also available now on my website http://www.katieandthemagicumbrella.com/. And to go along with the book, there will be an 18” Katie rag doll coming soon. I hope to have her available online and in specialty stores by Oct 20th.

• Are you planning to write more Children’s Books?

Definitely! This past year I have had a crash course in publishing, but have loved every minute of it. I plan to write at least two or three more books for children that explore different aspects of weather and science…and of course Katie will continue to be my inspiration. While I have a few new story ideas, I’d welcome some from your readers. I want to be sure these next books cover topics that kids and educators find relevant and interesting. I am excited and blessed to have found a way to be creative, and share my knowledge in a unique and different way- off camera.