Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this mock scrapbook, a cartoon girl named Corry Lapont provides a photographic tour of green structures around the globe. Corry describes skyscrapers like the Hearst Tower in New York City, designed for reduced electricity use, and Torre Agbar in Barcelona, which contains solar cells on its outer walls. In addition to her insights, several sidebars, charts, and comic strips examine tunnels and subways, geo-desic domes, and dams. Kaner offers a detailed introduction to green technology for readers interested in the environment and architecture. Ages 8-12. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Kaner looks at skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, dikes, and locks and talks about them in the voice of a fictional 12-year-old girl, the daughter of engineers. Corry Lapont characterizes her "eco-journal" as a project inspired by her postcard collection and her parents' insistence that she record what she is learning while she travels with them on their various jobs around the globe. Kaner's experience and her reliance on architectural and engineering professionals are obvious in her descriptions of structures and marvels that are effective despite their simplicity. Numerous cartoonlike illustrations show Corry and her brother and illuminate various engineering concepts and projects. Dialogue balloons add extra tidbits to the journal entries, and bright yellow insets list accompanying activities. The eco-friendly emphasis promotes marvels like geothermal energy, bridges built of recycled plastic, domes, and buildings that capitalize on recycled water and sunlight. Descriptions of the various professionals involved in the planning and construction of a skyscraper or bridge are especially enlightening. The explanations and presentation are kid-friendly, so the book might inspire youngsters to consider some of the careers that Corry identifies.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library (c) Copyright 2012. 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
Fictional Corry travels worldwide with her engineer parents for a year collecting postcards, information, and examples regarding skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, levees, etc., with some doable experiments to illustrate principles. Accurate, accessible information about the multiple engineering challenges of such structures is enriched with numerous photos and drawings; the tone is light, but the subject is treated seriously. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2012. 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
This perky, kid-friendly introduction to worldwide "green" construction efforts also happens to be both well-informed and carefully designed for optimal engagement. Kaner, the Toronto-based winner of numerous nonfiction book awards, introduces readers to Corry Lapont, the clever 12-year narrator of this "Eco-Journal" and an always-curious wayfinder through a brave new world of "smart" architectural projects and principles. Along with Corry and her wiseacre sidekick, kid brother Riley, readers see and learn about site selection, planning, designing, the integration of green engineering solutions (like using rainwater for cooling) and nifty details on the how-tos of constructing eco-friendly structures. Across a series of two-page spreads, Corry explores not only new buildings (domes and skyscrapers) but also such diverse projects as the Vizcaya Bridge (Spain), the English Channel Tunnel and the locks of Ottawa's Rideau Canal, as well as dams, dikes and levees. Veteran illustrator MacEachern's bright, appealing cartoony illustrations merge with well-selected stock photos to expand the concepts. The book also features an easy-to-decode table of contents, a glossary of construction terms and a workable index. Though sustainable architecture is becoming more and more a part of school curriculum and family discussions, there are surprisingly few books available on the topic. This handsome, information-rich, yet brief illustrated "eco-journal" fills a gap--and more. (Nonfiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
