The House in the Mail by Rosemary & Tom Wells illustrated by Dan Andreasen

 Readers will experience through Emily's narration & scrapbook how a mail-order home is built in 1927. It reveals the contrast between a pre-modern way of living to modern.

Very interesting picture book to read when studying this time period.

-Borrowed from the library.

Brooklyn Bridge text set*

 After reading Secret Engineer, I wanted to learn more about this exciting engineering feat. I borrowed the following books from the library about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have a child who is fascinated by bridges or is considering engineering as his/her educational pursuit, these books will appeal to them.

1. This first one is my favorite from the trio-The Brooklyn Bridge by Elizabeth Mann illustrated by Alan Witschonke. For grades 2nd and older.

It shares the story of the Roebling family (John, Washington, and Washington's wife Emily) and details of the entire bridge construction. The illustrations/drawings are meticulous. A couple of pages fold out, expanding the illustration.

**Highly, highly recommend.

2. Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince illustrated by Francois Roca

A week after its opening, a rumor raged through New York that bridge was about to collapse. To dispel the people from their fears, P.T. Barnum announced that he would allow his twenty-one elephants to parade across the bridge to prove it was safe. I love the alliteration and figurative language utilized this one. 

*Highly recommend.

3. How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky illustrated by Natalie Nelson

This book focuses on Emily and how vital she was in the bridge's construction. If she had not been as intelligent and ambitious as she was, the bridge would not have been built in that time period. Focuses on women's rights

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift illustrated by Lynd Ward*

 The little red lighthouse is proud. It performs important work, warning boats which pass by on the Hudson River of the rocks.  Then a great gray bridge is built OVER the little red lighthouse. The great gray bridge's light shines brightly from the top. Is the little red lighthouse obsolete?

I loved how Mr. Ward subtly incorporated faces and expressions on the lighthouse and the boats. Whimsy and realism married nicely!

Based on a lighthouse overshadowed by the George Washington Bridge

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Secret Engineer How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Doughtery*

 Even though most girls during her time period rarely pursued a higher education, Emily loved science and math and was able to attend a school where these subjects were taught. She married an engineer, whose family built bridges. Soon Emily's husband is building the Brooklyn Bridge, incorporating new technology. Unfortantely, he becomes ill. Thankfully, Emily is intelligent and an eager learner. Although she does not receive credit, she is the one who oversaw the building of the Brooklyn Bridge!

An amazing story!  I liked this story so much that I requested two other picture books about her!

Kids who love to build, who want to understand how things work, and who have an engineer mindset will love this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Little Stone House by Berta & Elmer Hader*

Orginally published in 1944 

My friend helped me remember this title-a favorite picture book of mine when I was in elementary school. I was thrilled to reread this book! 

The Doe family is tired of living in their cramped apartment in the city. As their search for a home in the country, they come to the conclusion that they could buy land and build their own home. The story relates how the family clears the land and builds their home. At the end of the story, the family feasts and celebrates with friends who participated in their project. This book contains themes that I cherish-hard work, family, and celebrating.

I would love to purchase this book....currently, the only copy I can find on Amazon is $75!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker illustrated by John Rocco*

 What a delightful biography! As Ms. Rinker relates how Virginia Lee Burton wrote & illustrated her well-known  picture books, she also reveals how wonderful and magical of a person Ms. Burton was. Knowing the back story, I have a new perspective about her books now and will enjoy them on a different level.

The layouts of the illustrations are clever and creative.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

William's House by Ginger Howard illustrated by Larry Day*

 In 1637 New England, William arrives with his wife and two sons to build a home. He replicates how his father built their home in England. As the weather changes and the year progresses, he realizes the methods in England are not functional in this new area. He makes adjustments accordingly. 

His wife and her comments irritated me! ("Something must be done . . .") This book offers the readers perspective on how the settlers established themselves in early America. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying Colonial America. I especially loved the ink sketches of the two sons under the text. They offer an additional story. The colored illustrations are detailed and beautiful.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ain't Nothing But a Man by Scott Reynolds Nelson with Marc Aronson

 My Quest to Find the Real John Henry 

Mr. Nelson wanted to discover if John Henry was an actual person. Each chapter explains his investigation,his progress, and how he arrived at conclusions. Very interesting.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds by Marianne Dubuc**

 Mr. Postmouse delivers packages and letters to various animals situated in homes/climes suited to their needs.  

The text is sparse, but the illustrations brim with creativity, cleverness, humor and inferences.  The cross-sections of the homes invite the reader to linger and to make inferences.  Every illustration produced a smile as I marveled over Ms. Dubuc's wittiness.  Very fun book to read and to share!

Warning: Sensitive readers may be disturbed by the package the chickens receive.  

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Prairie Boy by Barb Rosenstock illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

 Frank Lloyd Wright Turns the Heartland into a Home

A biography that reveals how Frank Lloyd Wright's childhood influenced his view of architecture and his home designs.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The House That George Built by Suzanne Slade illustrated Rebecca Bond*

Based on the traditional poem, This Is the House That Jack Built, Ms. Slade reveals the steps George Washington took to build the White House.  On the left hand side of the each page, the text is prose providing the story/facts about the specific step.

Personally reading the This Is the House That Jack Built poem exhausts me, so when reading this book I just read the prose! 

I found the information about the building of the White House fascinating and highly recommend reading this book when studying this period of history.  Additonal information about the White House and also its additons by other presidents is provided in the back.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Extraordinary Landmarks by Izzi Howell

This book features famous buildings and landmarks that are well know throughout the world:
*Mount Rushmore
*Hoover Dam
*Statue of Liberty
*CN Tower
*Sydney Opera House
*London Eye
*Eiffel Tower
About four pages of text and photographs are allotted to each one.
-Borrowed from the library.

Building the Hoover Dam-Engineering Marvels by Elsie Olson

A very informative book about the history and construction of the Hoover Dam. 
Plenty of photographs support the text.
A must read before visiting the Hoover Dam.
-Borrowed from the library.

Brick History by Warren Elsmore

Very unique book!
From prehistoric time to modern (2011), the book covers important events in history, with directions how to build scenes!
-Borrowed from the library.

Mosque by David Macaulay

My eleven year old read this book to himself as we studied the beginnings and spreading of Islam. 
He struggled a bit comprehending it well since there were a lot of building and Islamic terms he did not have in his schema. 
Readers witness the steps in building a mosque and how carefully planned the construction was.  As always, Mr. Macaulay writes a thorough, technical piece,  which will enlighten and educate its readers. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Drive Thru History With Dave Stotts -Rome If You Want To . . .DVD**

Episodes 1-3
Our entire family enjoys this DVD series.  Mr. Stotts takes us to Rome where we see the actual Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Tiber River, Circus Maximus, Pantheon and Arch of Titus.  The history and architecture are very interesting.  Mr. Stotts weaves together secular history and Biblical history well.
**Highly, highly recommend.
  -Borrowed from the library.

Rome In Spectacular Cross-Section by Andrew Solway illustrated by Stephen Biesty*

Intricate drawings display various buildings and structures in Rome during A.D. 128.
The reader follows Titus and his father Marcus around Rome and enter the Temple of Jupiter, the Forum, the Colosseum, the Baths of Trajan, the Circus Maximus and Titus' house. 
Tons of facts and many interesting details to be found in the illustrations.
I read bits of this book to my boys over a few days to support our study of Ancient Rome.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ancient Wonders of the World Great Wall of China by Adele Richardson*

Beautiful photographs of the Great Wall coupled with informative text suitable for elementary-junior  high children.
We look through this book as we studied Ancient China.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World DVD*

Questar DVD Collection-A Discovery Premiere Channel
Narrated by Pierce Brosnan
We watched this to support our history unit.
Very interesting.  Actors/actresses act out the construction of these edifices/statues while Mr. Brosnan narrates.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Twenty-one Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince illustrated by Francois Roca

After 14 years, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed; yet people were skeptical about its strength.  Phineas T. Barnum utilized this doubt as an opportunity to showcase his circus.  To prove that the bridge would withstand weight, he marched his 21 elephants (including 14,000 pound Jumbo!) across the bridge.
Lyrical writing, superb word choice and bold illustrations make this book a treasure to read.
A great book to read before crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.
 My eight year old and I read this book together and asked questions as we read.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with other books about Jumbo.