News12's Joe Rao Pens His First Kids' Book

As the poster boy for Westchester weather, meteorologist Joe Rao has become one of county’s most recognizable faces during his 20-year career with News12 Westchester. But did you know Rao is also an accomplished author? Not only has he written dozens of feature articles for the likes of Farmers’ Almanac and Space.com, in 2009 he won the American Astronomical Society’s prestigious Popular Writing Award for his article “Shades of Glory,” about his trek to the North Pole to view a solar eclipse. “I’ve always loved to write,” says Rao. “When I’m not in front of the
camera, I probably spend more time writing than anything else. I even write between news broadcasts.”

His latest literary endeavor breaks new ground for the longtime Putnam Valley resident. Released in October, The Cool Story Behind Snow is a 48-page children’s book that shares the ABCs of kids’ favorite form of precipitation—including the largest snowflake ever documented, a mind-boggling 15 inches in diameter. The Cool Story Behind Snow is available throughout the tristate area, including The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, The Village Bookstore in Pleasantville, Little Joe’s Coffee & Books in Katonah, and Arcade Booksellers in Rye. Check your local bookseller for availability.