WHAT's THAT BUILDING? Peeling Back the Design Skin in Architecture

 When we read about or think of ripping off walls or a roof from a massive structure, when we envision buildings with their "guts" revealed, catastrophes come to mind. At least to my mind. Scenes from tornadoes or bombings or earthquakes are the ones that generally allow a birds-eye view from above, or slice off an exterior wall to expose the interiors. A happier image of inside looks comes from those amazing and lively scenes in ant farms, little plastic-sided sandy habitats with small colonies of ants. They provide up-close peeks at the complex tunnels and purposes and comings and goings of a society whose workings we would otherwise never see. Here's a  book that allows a virtual analogy of human ant farms allowing inside looks at the structures supporting our busy lives.

PHAIDON, 2025

WHAT'S THAT BUILDING? AN ARCHITECTURAL GUESSING GAME is a substantial book that offers young readers (and the rest of us) a portal to  the interior designs and functions of many public structures in community. The oversized, high-quality design and materials of this clever book make it ideal for readers ages   5-8, as it claims to be. But I'd bet my last nickel that if it were placed on a  table around kids of any age, or on a coffee table for adults, it would quickly be found and explored by folks much older than that. And when shared with younger kids in groups or on a lap, it is likely to become a favorite as well. 

Think about those ant farms. Gaining a close-up view of the inner workings of places that we thought we knew is utterly irresistible. With such excellent appeal and execution of the concept, the authors and illustrator have elevated a strong offering even further. Author Rebecca Donnelly demonstrated her skill at delving into the innards of things in prior publications (trash and catastrophes, among others) while illustrator Jocelyn Cho has produced a high bar for her debut children's book illustration. The combination of accuracy, perspective, scale, and detail hint at her prior experiences in illustrations for covers, text books, and magazines. The non-human elements within each building are precisely, uniquely rendered, as are the varied and busy humans.  Reader/gamers will find themselves as deeply immersed in this book as they would be in a video game- if not more so! 

So what exactly is this book? Hmmm. It might be easier to say what it does and how it does it. The publisher's promotions emphasize how interactive it is, and that's true. The  subtitle labels it as a game book, and it provides plenty of opportunities to play with the images and concepts. Full spread views of the innards of various public structures (library, school, aquarium, museum, bakery, veterinary clinic, and many more) could have been the beginning and end of this book and it still would have been a winner. There are info-blurbs and prompts for each location, views of areas as preview insets of the full design and structure, along with views of hidden spaces for infrastructure, non-public working spaces, and more. The facilities are teeming with lives of every age, ability, identity, interest, and purpose for being there. The scales signage, pictures, and other components place familiar elements and sightings within a scope and continuity that gives things deeper purpose and understanding. 

The overall sprawling image is laid out on background graph paper as used in architecture or mechanical drawing. Each facility view also offers a bonus search- locating a tiny (but to scale) architect who is working within each location. A line-sketch of that characters is offered to scaffold success, but it will certainly not jump out at readers of any age, nor will these icons of professionals at work draw the eye when rereading the book because each is so effectively embedded. I particularly liked this because A) kids LOVE a search-and-find game, and B) each example seemed, to me, to be organic and purposeful within the scene. I'm convinced that readers/viewer/solvers will want to imagine what exactly the particular architect in each building might be doing there. The integration of careers and families and education and community in these working buildings  make this material excellent examples of real-world  social studies, math, science, engineering, literacy, and more.

WHAT'S THAT BUILDING? 
Phaidon, 2025, Interiors

With that said, the book is actually much more than that, thanks to writing, illustrating, and design that engage with the readers (gamers) on full spreads BEFORE they turn the page to the skin-off models of structures. The prompts, cues, and questions spreads are laid out in simple text on geometric color blocks. Small segments of the eventual full views are framed in response to the queries posed. There's appeal in locating their eventual placement as well as in seeing them in relation to the full function of the structure in operation. A simple glossary page in back explains terminology that are occasionally used (in bold) throughout. The patterns and familiarity/repetition of this format increases confidence and enthusiasm for this interactive book.

It's hard for me to imagine kids who wouldn't t dive into this book, repeatedly, entertaining themselves while learning in the best possible way- having fun! If you know anyone (any age) who instinctively claims cardboard, scrap paper, tape, and odds and ends to build structures or roadways or more, his book is for them. (Unless we are speaking of cats- who are equally obsessed with various random pieces of paper and cardboard. I do not feel qualified to recommend this book for cats.) 

The publisher, PHAIDON, sent me a copy without a promise of a review. Their books for kids are consistently excellent in physical production (paper and color quality, durability, design) so I was very pleased but not surprised to find this delightful, challenging, and engaging book sums one I can support. With holidays coming I'll purchase several more copies for gifts. Something you might want to consider, too.

PERFECT SHAPES: A Tribute to Mr. Pei (I. M. Pei)

 Welcome back after a brief break to deal with some changes in my life. Meanwhile, I've been reading even though not sharing much here for a few weeks. Buckle up for a series of brief but exciting (I hope) recommendations for new picture books. 

QUILL TREE BOOKS, 2023

First up is MR. PEI'S PERFECT SHAPES: The Story of Ar\chitect I. M. Pei, written by Julie Leung and illustrated by Yifan Wu. This nonfiction account of the life of architect I. M. Pei is inspiring and accessible to a wide range of readers. The early years of Pei in China provided a lifelong inspiration for admiring beauty and longevity in nature and in constructions. His training and career in architecture led him to America and beyond, eventually designing iconic structures throughout the world. Each is distinctly innovative and reveals Pei's sense of space, shape, nature, and balance. No two are alike and  each is uniquely suited to its climate, landscape, purpose, and culture. 

I learned a great deal about Pei, even though I've read about him in the past and long-admired his buildings. The text is straightforward but sensitive to Pei's personality and talent, revealing his drive  to create structures beyond any one "type", structures that would not only stand the test of time, but continue to reflect and celebrate their surroundings and populations.
Back matter is helpful with a timeline of his projects and also resources for video and other further investigation. 
The illustrations are realistic enough to portray cultural locations and characteristic structural elements featured in Pei's designs, but also reflect a sort of geometric abstraction, interpretation, and vibrant color that make his creations nearly magical. 

This is a worthy account of an incredible man and his accomplishments. His success is undisputed and this book will be welcomed by many.

Compare/Contrast: CYBILS Nominees About Buildings

 Two picture books nominated in the elementary category for a CYBILS Nonfiction Award this year deal with the remarkable and appealing topic of BUILDING! They are both superb examples of pairing informational text with illustrations that strengthen, expand, and explore the facts by reflecting the style, color, and intent of the writing. These two titles are distinctly different in purpose and patterns, yet both are enormously appealing and will spark curiosity and connections. Their contrasting approaches deserve a closer look.

NorthSouth Books, 2022

First, author Susan B. Katz and illustrator Linda Schwalbe created an eye-popping, heart-tugging     revelation of Spanish builder and innovator, GAUDI: ARCHITECT OF IMAGINATION. This is a  remarkably interpretive depiction of a genius builder/architect. Gaudi comes to life on the page from early childhood challenges with his "bent" and weak legs. This situation led to his close examination of the curving, flowing, colorful complexities of nature, in matter and in creatures. He gradually celebrated and appreciated those patterns and life-embracing vibrancies. He explored ways that he could build structures as an architect who embraced life and design in new ways, with passion and vision.

The text is direct but sensitive, addressing the ways in which Gaudi impressed and also appalled observers, making some wonder if he might be "crazy". Even so, throughout Barcelona his structures attract tourists, bringing smiles and appreciation for his imagination, skill, and ability to build beauty from the pieces and bits that others might consider useless or unattractive. His most astonishing structure is, perhaps, the unfinished Cathedral of the Sacred Family, which is continually being debated and extended.

The illustrations throughout, from the cover and end pages through Saudi's childhood and schooling, and on into his lifetime of creations, is interpretive, vibrantly abstract, and as fluid as Gaudi's structures. Page after page calls out to the reader to follow Gaudi's lead, to try new things and build beauty from nature and objects in new ways. I followed my first reading by searching for photographic examples of these buildings and then reading more about his amazing life. 

BLOOMSBURY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN, 2022

The second nominee is entirely different in its approach. Rather than profiling a creative genius who challenged standards of planning and design, HOW WAS THAT BUILT? The Stories Behind Some Structures is analytical and instructive. Written by a structural engineer, Roma Agrawal, and illustrated by Katie Hickey, this is a dream of a book for kids (or their parents) who see built environments and ask, "How did they do that?"

Agrawal is as intentional and solid in her writing as these structures are in their design and execution, resulting in beautiful products. She uses direct address to readers throughout, but in an accessible, conversational approach that makes complex concepts seem very simple. (Try demonstrating how carbon makes steel stronger using malted milk balls and raisins.) There is enormous power in that style. From the introduction through the foundational pages (literally- everything is built on a foundation and there is SO MUCH to know about that!) this eighty-page illustrated book explores some of the most iconic and treasured structures on the globe, most of which boggle the mind as to how they could possibly have been built and how they continue to stand, safely.

This book offers conventions including table of contents, a glossary, and an "engineer's gallery" to allow readers to dip in and out. I recommend reading cover to cover, even if that means a chapter a day (or night). Aspects and examples of buildings span centuries, continents, materials, functions, climates, and even the future. The oversized format showcases illustrations that richly detail the stated examples and building concepts, also placing them in geographic and cultural contexts. Short passages are placed throughout the spreads where they will most clearly make sense and build on prior descriptions or explanations. My only concern about this fantastic book is that the size and color choices for font can be challenging. Very small print, always black, appears over dark-toned portions of the illustrations. Text might be missed, or this could make it hard to sustain focus and attention for young reeders (or their parents or teachers). Not a word of this text should be missed, and I fear some could be with this format design. 

Whether taking a block-by-block approach or a freelance, found-object tower attempt, kids of all ages are drawn to create and construct. These two titles might be the just-right choice for kids in your lives who could find, as I did, that they made me want to learn more, do more, and try more ways to view and appreciate my built environment. 

This recommendation holds true regardless of genders, by the way. The "E" in STEM is engineering, and these examples are perfect choices for STEM activities and inspiration. As a long-ago kindergarten kid, I was shocked and angered to see that the girls' and boys' "play corners" had such different elements. Girls were given toy versions of household items and some dress-up clothes and dolls, while the boys had mechanical toys, building materials, and even the art easel! These were the roots of my lifelong feminism! A wish from me: include everyone when you consider possible audiences for these books!