An eye-opening survey for makers and observers alike.
A world-spanning look at connections between structures and patterns in nature and those designed by modern architects.
Kaner introduces some prominent figures—among them “aquatect” Koen Olthius, Frank Gehry, and the granddaddy of “organic” architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright—as she leads readers past houses that float or rotate, a truss bridge in Japan and an earthquake-resistant one in Greece, some buildings made from tires or other recycled materials, others that collect rainwater or shed excess heat, Norman Foster’s London “Gherkin” (which was inspired by a type of sea sponge), and other examples of architectural biomimesis. In keeping with the premise, Wiens mixes schematic views of foundations and gracefully curving roofs or other structures with close-ups of roots, flowers, the trusses that lighten and strengthen a vulture’s metacarpal bones, hexagons in a beehive, and fractal patterns in leaves and in stone walls. A pair of simple hands-on projects demonstrate design principles, and a set of images of flora and fauna followed by a spread of actual buildings that resemble them offer a final invitation to budding designers to get going. Tiny human figures in a few of the painted illustrations display a range of skin tones.
An eye-opening survey for makers and observers alike. (index, resource list) (Informational picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-77138-781-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere.
This book is buzzing with trivia.
Follow a swarm of bees as they leave a beekeeper’s apiary in search of a new home. As the scout bees traverse the fields, readers are provided with a potpourri of facts and statements about bees. The information is scattered—much like the scout bees—and as a result, both the nominal plot and informational content are tissue-thin. There are some interesting facts throughout the book, but many pieces of trivia are too, well trivial, to prove useful. For example, as the bees travel, readers learn that “onion flowers are round and fluffy” and “fennel is a plant that is used in cooking.” Other facts are oversimplified and as a result are not accurate. For example, monofloral honey is defined as “made by bees who visit just one kind of flower” with no acknowledgment of the fact that bees may range widely, and swarm activity is described as a springtime event, when it can also occur in summer and early fall. The information in the book, such as species identification and measurement units, is directed toward British readers. The flat, thin-lined artwork does little to enhance the story, but an “I spy” game challenging readers to find a specific bee throughout is amusing.
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere. (Informational picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-500-65265-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe.
An introduction to gravity.
The book opens with the most iconic demonstration of gravity, an apple falling. Throughout, Herz tackles both huge concepts—how gravity compresses atoms to form stars and how black holes pull all kinds of matter toward them—and more concrete ones: how gravity allows you to jump up and then come back down to the ground. Gravity narrates in spare yet lyrical verse, explaining how it creates planets and compresses atoms and comparing itself to a hug. “My embrace is tight enough that you don’t float like a balloon, but loose enough that you can run and leap and play.” Gravity personifies itself at times: “I am stubborn—the bigger things are, the harder I pull.” Beautiful illustrations depict swirling planets and black holes alongside racially diverse children playing, running, and jumping, all thanks to gravity. Thorough backmatter discusses how Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity and explains Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. While at times Herz’s explanations may be a bit too technical for some readers, burgeoning scientists will be drawn in.
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. (Informational picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781668936849
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tilbury House
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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