UP GOES THE SKYSCRAPER!

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the preschooler or young grade schooler
Review: In her appropriate matter-of-fact style, Gail Gibbons, explains how a skyscraper is built. The language chosen is well suited to children age four and up.

The story starts as the reason for the building -- people needing a place to live and work. It briefly touches on the work of the engineers and architects before it starts describing the actual construction. Although it doesn't go into great depth, enough information is provided to spur further research for older children. For younger children, their questions are easily answered by adults and/or by looking at the wonderful illustrations.

The illustrations are perfectly detailed -- not too complex nor too simple. They do a very nice job of depicting all the work that goes on during the construction. They show everything from digging and building the foundation, through building the framework, the interior finishing work and finally the tenets moving into the building.

The book covers some rather advanced concepts that may go over the heads of younger audiences. The core of the building is discussed, as is fireproofing the beams, and building the curtain wall. Still, they are not covered in such detail to lose younger children.

This very nice book is currently one of the favorites of my two and four year-olds. Gail Gibbons books are always well-liked.