From Snow Forts to Skyscrapers: Focus on Construction

In Built to Last, George Sullivan states that "engineers and architects are problem solvers," and the same description applies in many ways to inquisitive children as they play and experiment with structures. As youngsters build tenuous towers of wooden alphabet blocks, construct couch-pillow tents, and dig deep holes aimed toward the other side of the planet, they must deal with the same physical rules of gravity, balance, tension, and compression faced by actual engineers, architects, and builders. Later efforts involving tree houses and snow fortresses require even more complex applications of those same concepts.

That seemingly innate interest in the creative building process can flourish with exposure to the rich variety of children's books about construction. Through literature, kids can discover the stories behind medieval castles, super skyscrapers, or a building that looks like a duck. They can explore the structural challenges involved in damming a mighty river or tunneling beneath a city. They can learn how politics, history, natural forces, or the determination of a single person can decide the success or failure of a project. And they can produce their own creations, from milk-carton tower cranes and soda-can castles to a cardboard fort that fits between two beds.

In The Art of Construction, professor and writer Mario Salvadori tells us, "the laws governing the construction of structures do not change with the passing of years or centuries; they are basic laws of nature." The following titles encourage kids to investigate the amazing, surprising, useful, and even funny ways in which humans apply those structural laws.

GOODMAN, Susan E. Skyscraper: From the Ground Up. photos. by Michael J. Doolittle. Knopf. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-81309-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-91309-9.

Gr 3–7—Vibrant color photographs depict a skyscraper rising from foundation to rooftop over the course of three and a half years. A lively narrative provides a wealth of fascinating facts along with firsthand comments by some of the thousands of individuals involved, from the architect and his vision to the mason who accumulates ten pounds worth of concrete on his pants and boots every work day.

HOBAN, Tana. Construction Zone. photos. by author. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 1997. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-688-12284-3; PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-688-12285-0; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-688-16918-3.

PreS-Gr 2—You can almost hear the engines and smell the dirt in this collection of attention-grabbing, full-color photographs of construction machinery in action. Each spread offers two meticulously composed views that visually convey the purpose of cherry pickers, rubber tired backhoes, and other vehicles, while thumbnails of each machine provide basic background facts.

HUDSON, Cheryl. Construction Zone. photos. by Richard Sobol. Candlewick. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2684-6.

K-Gr 4—Simple words and appealing color photographs chronicle the three-year process of erecting a single structure. Vivid background colors and crystal clear illustrations feature heavy machinery, unique tools, and the hard-working people who make it all come together. There's just enough information in the large-print text to lead readers through the "giant puzzle" of a building project.

NEVIUS, Carol. Building with Dad. illus. by Bill Thomson. Marshall Cavendish. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5312-3.

K-Gr 2—Vertically oriented pages reveal a school building site through the eyes of a boy and his construction-worker dad. Rhyming couplets describe the rugged work while illustrations pack the visual punch. Large-scale acrylic paintings fill each spread and carefully chosen perspectives convey the sheer bulk, height, and power of heavy machinery in action.

PALLOTTA, Jerry. The Construction Alphabet Book. illus. by Rob Bolster. Charlesbridge. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-437-9; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-438-6.

K-Gr 2—Realistic paintings and ear-catching words reveal just what kids want to know about knuckleboom loaders, quad-axle lowbeds, and other impressive vehicles and tools. From the "crunch, crruuunnch" of the mobile rock crusher to the "croosh, croosh-shhhuk" of the vactor, the sights and sounds of construction work come to life.

ROTH, Susan L. Hard Hat Area. illus. by author. Bloomsbury. 2004. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58234-946-6.

Gr 1–4—This day in the life of an apprentice ironworker involves fetching food and supplies for the workers on a building site. As she talks with each member of the crew, neatly labeled collage illustrations point out specific tools and tasks, while panoramic views of the city below accentuate the perilous heights of the work environment.

BIRDSEYE, Tom. A Kids' Guide to Building Forts. illus. by Bill Klein. Roberts Rinehart. 1993. pap. $11.95. ISBN 978-0-943173-69-6.

Gr 4–8—This handy guide features clear instructions for building a wide variety of interesting outdoor and indoor forts. A simple lean-to leads to more complicated domes and tepees with plans that emphasize fun and creativity. Logical numbered steps and easy-to-follow illustrations and diagrams make this an especially useful resource for young builders.

CANEY, Steven. Steven Caney's Ultimate Building Book. illus. by Lauren House. Running Pr. 2006. Tr $29.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-0409-4.

Gr 3–8—This ambitious title covers all types of building from pyramids and skyscrapers to tree houses and beaver dams. Combining fascinating historical and scientific background with practical information about tools, hardware, and engineering, the author brings every aspect of construction together. Add more than 100 creative activities and science projects, and you have a truly "ultimate" resource.

GOOD, Keith. Build It! Activities for Setting Up Super Structures. Lerner. 1999. PLB $21.27. ISBN 978-0-8225-3567-6.

Gr 3–7—Hands-on activities demonstrate the surprising strength of a triangle, the crucial role of equilibrium, and other key principles of building. Clear instructions accompanied by helpful drawings and diagrams make the projects easy to complete. Lucid text provides just enough background on each concept while leaving plenty of room for the exploration and firsthand experience that lead to true understanding.

JOHMANN, Carol. Skyscrapers! Super Structures to Design & Build. Williamson. 2001. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-885593-50-4.

Gr 2–6—Creative projects explore principles of engineering that are directly related to actual buildings. An explanation of how X-bracing prevents the John Hancock Center from leaning in the wind, for example, accompanies an experiment with swaying structures using a hair dryer and paper constructions. Photographs, cartoon drawings, and simple diagrams provide clear instructions and useful context.

SINGER, Marilyn. Let's Build a Clubhouse. illus. by Timothy Bush. Clarion. 2006. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-30670-1.

PreS-Gr 2—Enthusiastic kids and parents join forces to build a clubhouse. Rhyming text describes the progress, while prose sidebars provide information about techniques and materials. Useful watercolors show the excitement of the work and include excellent diagrams of various tool and supplies. Without providing specific plans on construction, this book makes the idea look fun and achievable.

ARBOGAST, Joan Marie. Buildings in Disguise: Architecture That Looks Like Animals, Food, and Other Things. Boyds Mills. 2004. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-099-2.

Gr 4–7—A teapot gas station and an office building that looks like a bulldozer are just two fascinating examples of American mimetic architecture. Along with eye-catching photographs, the book explores the logistical challenges (how to design a seven-story picnic basket) and unusual circumstances (will a 20-foot-high "duck building" increase egg sales?) involved in each unusual structure.

CURLEE, Lynn. Brooklyn Bridge. illus. by author. S & S/Atheneum. 2001. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-689-83183-6.

Gr 3–7—The completion of the world's longest bridge in 1883 was filled with engineering triumphs and human drama. Lucid prose and majestic acrylic paintings delineate the innovative pneumatic caissons used to ground the towers below the river, the elaborate process of "cable spinning," and other highlights of the building of "our most durable monument."

HOPKINSON, Deborah. Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building. illus. by James E. Ransome. Random. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-83610-7; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93610-4.

Gr 1–4—A boy and his father find hope in hard times as they watch the tallest skyscraper in the world take shape over a 15-month period. Eloquent words and dynamic watercolors capture the action of the men who work "like spiders on steel" as well as the more personal emotion that the finished structure inspires in the child.

KENT, Peter. Great Building Stories of the Past. illus. by author. Oxford Univ. 2001. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-19-521846-6.

Gr 4–6—Intricate illustrations and well-chosen facts introduce nine notable structures, including the Panama Canal, England's Eddystone Lighthouse, and the Great Wall of China, accentuating the various elements affecting each project. Plentiful watercolor and ink images range from elaborate spreads to spot drawings, depicting both the magnificence and the subtle details of these architectural achievements.

MACAULAY, David. Castle. illus. by author. Houghton. 1977. RTE $18. ISBN 978-0-395-25784-5; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-395-32920-7.

Gr 4 Up—Distinctive pen-and-ink drawings illuminate every aspect of the construction of a fictional 13th-century Welsh castle. Varied styles and creative perspectives present a comprehensive picture of the building process, from wall-strengthening methods to the practical workings of the "garderobes" (toilets). The engaging narrative provides social context, historical background, and a wealth of information about medieval building techniques.

MANN, Elizabeth. The Hoover Dam: The Story of Hard Times, Tough People and the Taming of a Wild River. illus. by Alan Witschonke. Mikaya. 2001. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-931414-02-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-931414-13-5.

Gr 4–7—More than 5000 "muckers," "high scalers," and other workers built a magnificent dam during the Great Depression. The grueling project also involved thousands of accidents and 112 deaths. Detailed paintings reveal the innovative techniques required to build across the Colorado river, while spirited narration and firsthand accounts capture the hardships and triumphs of this massive project.

SIMON, Seymour. Bridges. Chronicle. 2005. PLB $14.50. ISBN 978-1-58717-263-2; pap. $3.95. ISBN 978-1-58717-264-9.

K-Gr 2—Easy prose introduces different types of bridges, accompanied by full-color photographs of notable examples from around the world. Intriguing snippets of history and well-chosen statistical facts provide just enough information, from the number of people who crossed the Brooklyn Bridge when it opened to the combined length of the cables on the Golden Gate Bridge.

SULLIVAN, George. Built to Last: Building America's Amazing Bridges, Dams, Tunnels, and Skyscrapers. Scholastic. 2005. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-439-51737-9.

Gr 5–8—Sullivan provides a fascinating look at 17 notable structures, from the Erie Canal through New York City's Tunnel No. 3, scheduled for 2020 completion. Insightful text articulates the daunting challenges presented by each project, along with the politics, social conditions, and technology that led to each building in the first place. Extra-wide pages provide ample space for dramatic, full-page photos and spectacular vertical spreads.

VOGEL, Jennifer. A Library Story: Building a New Central Library. Millbrook. 2006. PLB $26.60. ISBN 978-0-8225-5916-0.

Gr 4–7—The new Minneapolis Central Library is an excellent example of modern construction, from the underground garage to an environmental rooftop garden. The thoughtful narrative demonstrates how a building's specific function influences the planning, with color photographs depicting such library-friendly features as etched windows to filter sunlight and an alphabet-based electronic light sculpture on the elevators.

WEITZMAN, David. A Subway for New York. illus. by author. Farrar. 2005. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-374-37284-2.

Gr 4–7—It took meticulous planning, thousands of workers, and four-and-a-half years to build an underground transportation system beneath the streets of Manhattan. Precise line drawings delineate the strategies used to successfully complete the elaborate project. When the subway finally opened in 1904, 16 million tickets were sold in the first two months.

WILKINSON, Philip. Building. DK. 2000. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7894-6026-4; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7894-6607-5.

Gr 4–8—The "Eyewitness" series format effectively depicts specific varieties of building styles, techniques, and elements. Extensive photographs and diagrams provide multiple visual examples of everything from thatching tools and wood joints to roof designs and towers, and concise captions describe the purposes and conditions inherent in each variation.

ZAUNDERS, Bo. Gargoyles, Girders & Glass Houses: Magnificent Master Builders. illus. by Roxie Munro. Dutton. 2004. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47284-1.

Gr 3–7—Spanning six centuries and several continents, this visually striking book examines the lives and work of seven master builders. Engaging prose reveals the unique visions behind the ambitious projects of Gustave Eiffel, Spain's Antoni Gaudí, and other inventive artists. Appealing ink-and-watercolor artwork captures the significant architectural components of these richly varied structures along with more intricate design details.

AASENG, Nathan. Construction: Building the Impossible. Oliver. 2000. PLB $21.95. ISBN 978-1-881508-59-5.

Gr 5–8—Digging a tunnel beneath the Thames or erecting the tallest building in the world seemed like unattainable dreams when first conceived, generating skepticism from engineers, financiers, and the general public. This in-depth look at seven seemingly impossible projects, from Egyptian pyramids to the Hoover Dam, highlights the determination and genius of the builders who made sure their constructions were spectacular successes.

EDITORS OF YES MAG. Fantastic Feats and Failures. illus. by Jane Kurisu. Kids Can. 2004. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55337-633-0; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-55337-634-7.

Gr 4–7—Pisa's leaning tower, a collapsing bridge in Tacoma, WA, and a space telescope with "poor eyesight" (the Hubble) are among the notable "failures" in this perceptive look at engineering. Plenty of triumphs emerge, too, along with adaptations that often repaired initial flaws. Photographs, diagrams, and simple projects help to illuminate the dangers that must be anticipated to avoid construction disasters.

MACAULAY, David. Building Big. illus. by author. Houghton. 2000. RTE $30. ISBN 978-0-395-96331-9; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-0-618-46527-9.

Gr 5 Up—An in-depth look at the ingenious problem-solving involved in the construction of 35 historical structures from around the world, including bridges, tunnels, dams, domes, and skyscrapers. Political, social, and religious factors are clearly explained along with the remarkable technical triumphs. Hundreds of expertly composed color diagrams provide invaluable visual context and reinforce the complex but fascinating concepts explored in the text.

SALVADORI, Mario. The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers and Architects. 3rd ed. illus. by Saralinda Hooker & Christopher Ragus. Chicago Review. 1990. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55652-080-8.

Gr 7 Up—This comprehensive look at engineering principles is a top choice for serious architecture students. Explanations of concepts are neatly supported by examples from history. Simple activities, with clear black-and-white line drawings that make the instructions easy to follow, demonstrate how natural forces such as rotational equilibrium and compression affect a wide variety of construction elements.

WILSON, Forrest. What It Feels Like to Be a Building. illus. by author. National Trust for Historic Preservation. 1988. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-0-89133-147-6.

Gr 2–5—Human figures (and occasional animals) in solid black silhouette bend, balance, stack, and arch in this inventive visual presentation. Inserting people in place of bricks and beams demonstrates the effects of gravity on walls, columns, and arches in a variety of structures, showing why "it feels like SQUEEZE to be an arch" and "like SQUASH to be a column."