Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3-5. With her customary bright illustrations, Gibbons gives a fine introduction to the construction of a wood-frame house. After explaining the jobs of architect and general contractor, she pictures all the other specialists, from surveyor to landscaper. Succeeding pages show each of these workers in action, their labors described in clear, succinct captions. Construction machines and materials as well as parts of the house are identified, and each stage of construction logically follows the others. Workers are drawn in both sexes and several skin tones. Other forms of human shelter are briefly presented at the book's beginning and end. ~--Leone McDermott
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-This informative production of Gail Gibbons's picture book provides simple, straightforward content about how a wood-frame house is built. It showcases several different kinds of homes, including those constructed from logs, stone, brick, glass, and cement blocks. Narrator Jon Bennett walks viewers through the process of building a wood-frame dwelling. Viewers see the architect drawing plans and all the different people the general contractor hires, including surveyors, carpenters, plumbers, masons, electricians, painters, and landscapers. As the story progresses, the workers each complete their specific tasks, and by the end, the house is finished in time for a young family to move in. One of the tale's strengths is that the illustrations feature both men and women working side by side at the construction site. Gibbons's vibrant watercolor illustrations include labels, so viewers learn key construction vocabulary: "form," "footing," "sill," "joist," "header," and "rafter." The narration is also complemented by upbeat background music and rumbling heavy equipment and pounding hammers. VERDICT For elementary collections looking to add new nonfiction. It would also be a valuable addition to boost STEM offerings for its focus on engineering and building.-Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A brief, heavily illustrated survey of the construction of a house, from an architect's plans to final landscaping. An accurate, precise, useful introduction which includes the work of surveyors, heavy equipment operators, plumbers, and carpenters of both sexes and many cultures. But some illustrations are awkward. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A clear, straightforward, accurate description of the steps in planning and building a frame house, with four additional pages showing contrasting styles of contemporary and ancient shelters. The well-labeled drawings, with cheerful color added, are simple, uncluttered, precise, and friendly. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
