Celebrating Architects: 37 Books for Children

from The Wast-West House

I. Biographies

1. Estrada, Pau. (2017). A Stroll with Mr. Gaudi. Lyndhurst, NJ: Lectorum. 
2. Going, K.L. (2017). The Shape of the World: A Portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright. Illustrated by Lauren Stringer. New York: Beach Lane Books.
3. Guarnaccia, Steven. (2010). The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale. New York: Harry N. Abrams. 
4. Hale, Christy. (2012). Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. New York: Lee & Low Books. (550L)
5. Hale, Christy. (2009). The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan. New York: Lee & Low Books. (760L)
6. Harshman, Marc. (2017). Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece. Illustrated by Anna Egan Smucker. New york: Roaring Brook Press. (620L)
7. Harvey, Jeanne Walker. (2017). Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. New York: Henry Holt and Company. (800L)
8. Mannis, Celeste. (2006). Julia Morgan Built a Castle. Illustrated by Miles Hyman. New York: Viking Juvenile. (930L)
9. Maynar, David. (2017). Gaudi (Los mas grandes para los mas pequeños. Illustrated by Mariano Veloy. Lectio Ediciones. 
10. Rodriguez, Rachel Victoria . (2009). Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. New York: Henry Holt and Company. (550L)
11. Winter, Jeanette. (2017). The World is Not A Rectangle. New York: Beach Lane Books. (760L)

II. Fictional

1. Alling, Niki. (2012). When I Build With Blocks. Create Space.
2. Barton, BNyron. (1990). Building a House. New York: Mulberry Books.
3. Beaty, Andrea. (2007). Iggy Peck, Architect. Illustrated by David Roberts.New York: Harry N. Abrams. 
4. Laden. Nina. (2016). Roberto: The Insect Architect. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.  (630L)
5. Stein, Joshua David. (2018). Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture. Illustrated by Julia Rothman. New York: Phaidon Press.
6. Tailfeather, Speck Lee. (2013). Architecture According to Pigeons. New York: Phaidon Press.
7. Viva, Frank. (2013). Young Frank, Architect. New York: Harry N. Abrams. 

III. Informational Text/Compilations

1. Armstrong, Simon. (2015). Cool Architect: Filled with Fantastic Facts for Kids of all Ages. New York: Pavilion.
2. Beck, Barbara. (2014). The Future Architect's Handbook. New York: Schiffer.
3. Cornille, Didier. (2014). Who Built That? Skyscrapers: An Introduction to Skyscrapers and Their Architects. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
4. Cornille, Didier. (2014). Who Built That? Modern Houses: An Introduction to Modern Houses and Their Architects. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
5. Dillon, Patrick. (2014). The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond. Illustrated by Stephen Biesty.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
6. Gibbons, Gail. (1990). How a House is Built. New York: Holiday House.
7. Heine, Florian. (2014). 13 Architects Children Should Know. New York: Prestel.
8. Laroche, Gilles. (2011). If You Lived Here: Houses of the World. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers.
9. Macaulay, David and Sheila Keenan. (2015). Castle and How it Works. New York: Square Fish.
10. Paxman, Christine. (2012). From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers. New York: Prestel.
11. Rebscher, Suzanne. (2018). Where's the Architect: From Pyramids to Skyscrapers. An Architecture Look and Find Book. Illustrated by Annabelle Von Sperber. New York: Prestel Junior. 
12. Ritchie, Scot. (2011). Look at that Building: A First Book of Structures. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press. (600L)
13. Roeder, Annette. (2009). 13 Buildings Children should Know. New York: Prestel.
14. Schmermund, Elizabeth. (2017). Architecture: Cool Women Who Design Structures (Girls in Science). Illustrated by Lena Chandhok. White River Junction, VT: Nomad Press. (1050L)
15. Tran, Han & Christinia Chung. (2013). Geometry through Architecture: The Chartres Cathedral. Illustrated by Tong Wu. San Mateo, CA: Hands On Prints.

IV. Concept

1. Crosbie, Michael & Steve Rosenthal. (2000). Arches to ZigZags: An Architecture ABC. New York: Preservation Press.
2. Crosbie, Michael. (1993). Architectural Shapes. New York: Preservation Press.
3. Crosbie, Michael & Steve Rosenthal. (1993). Architecture Colors. New York: Preservation Press.
4. Crosbie, Michael & Steve Rosenthal. (1993). Architecture Counts. New York: Preservation Press.
5. Litton, Jonathan. (2018). Baby 101: Architecture for Babies. Illustrated by Thomas Elliot. New York: Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Book Resources

I am in the process of designing four units of study with a group of public school teachers who work in the Bronx. One question I am asked (and was asked) is: How do you find so many great books? I decided to put together a response that they and you can access of resources and book companies I often use. 


Websites for Reviews of Children's Books

• Latinxs in Kid Lit
• The Brown Bookshelf
• Mirror Windows Doors
• Global/International Literature and Diverse Perspectives  by Jane Gangi
• We Need Diverse Books
• CBC Diversity
• Color of Us: All About Multicultural Children's Books
• What Do We Do All Day?
• Kitaab World
• The Conscious Kid Library

Favorite Independent Book Publishers of Children's Literature

1. Annick Press:  Annick Press publishing children’s book for ages 6 months to young adult. They are “committed to publishing Canadian authors. You can find submission guidelines on their site. I have bought The Streets are Free and When I Was Eight. Both titles I would recommend. 
2. Arte Público Press and Piñata Books - Two picture books from Piñata Books I recently bought, Agua, Agüita / Water, Little Water and Adelita and the Veggie Cousins / Adelita y las primas verduritas. I have bought lots of books from Piñata over the years.
3. Barefoot Books: This publishing house was begun by two moms.  They are very conscious of sustainability.  I just bought The Barefoot Book of Children and La Frontera: Mi viaje con papá / My Journey with Papa ( a must read!).
4. Bharat Babies A new publisher for me. They publish books about India (culture/religion). 
5. Boyds Mills Press Every time I go to their site I find a book I want. Just saw, Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop. 
6. Chronicle Books The masthead to their site reads, "see things differently."  I think that summarizes well the books they produce.  They do help me to see the world differently. Brendan Wenzel's Hello Hello is stunning. 
7. Cinco Puntos Press Last purchase was All Around Us.  I’m still puzzling over it—a good thing. I have purchased from them for a good amount of time. 
8. Enchanted Lion Books I like everything about this book publisher. I love their books. Their site is under construction. This is A Poem that Heals Fish was great. I think they publish some of the finest children’s books. Visually amazing books.
9. Fifth House They are a bilingual publishing house often producing books in English/Cree. Dragonfly Kites is my latest purchase.
10. Fitzhenry & Whiteside: I have been buying their books for at least a decade. Cathryn Sill's About Birds remains a favorite.
11. Groundwood Books/House of Anansi. This is one of my very favorite publishers of children's books. The quality of illustration, story, and diversity is stellar. I recently bought A FAMILY IS A FAMILY IS A FAMILY, THE TRIUMPHANT TALE OF THE HOUSE SPARROW, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GARDEN, THEY SAY BLUE, and THE FUNERAL. I'd recommend all of these highly. Their books make me think.
12. Just World Books I came across them when I purchased Gaza Writes Back, which I would recommend. Highly political press. 
13. Kids Can Press - I enjoy the books they publish and use a lot of titles in the curriculum I design.  Last purchase was WILD BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES.
14. Lee & Low Books: My go-to publishers. I have been buying their books for years. The quality, range and diversity are exceptional.
15. Magination Press (APA): Appreciate the healthy picture books they produce without getting too preachy. Latest purchase, When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community.
16. Orca Book Publishers If I remember right it was my search for Julie Flett books that first led me to Orca Book Publishers. They have quirky titles that fill in collection well. City Kids is a favorite. 
17. Pajama Press - They published recently one of my favorite books, My Beautiful Birds. They are new to me.
18. Shen Books Now an imprint for Lee & Low. Their Cinderella stories are outstanding. 
19. Tara Books Their books are not ordinary. I like to browse these books as they are artful. For example, the fold out book - A VILLAGE IS A BUSY PLACE! is a great example  of form and content mixing. 
20. Tilbury House I am never disappointed with purchases of their published books. They are always stunning, artful, compelling works. Rogério Coelho's Boat of Dreams is one example. Wow. 
21. Tradewind Books I love Julie Flett's books (authored and illustrated) and purchase all her books. Last purchase, A Day with Yayah. This has become one of my favorite publishing houses. They have an eye for choosing authentic and compelling books.
22. Tundra Books: Last thing I bought there was From the Heart of Africa. 
23. Wings Press  These are books I read as an adult reader.  Last purchase, Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives / Fronteras: Dibujando las vidas fronterizas. Inspiring. 

Here are a 30 blog posts where I recommend books.

1. 250+ Children's Books Featuring Black Boys and Men
2. Raising Activists: 100+ Books to Read in K-12
3. Children's Books Focusing on Special/Exceptional Needs, Strengths and Graces
4. Children's Books about the Middle East
5. K-3 Global Multicultural Poetry for Shared, Choral, Paired, & Echo Reading
6. Global Multicultural K-8 Books Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and His Legacy
7. New Global Picture Books
8. 97 Page Book of Primary Grade Comprehension Lessons With an Emphasis on Multicultural Books
9. Forget the Stop Watch and Tune into Literature: Recommended Global Multicultural Texts for Developing Fluency (and a Love for Reading)
10. Global Multicultural Books for Comprehension Instruction in Kindergarten
11. Poetry Books for Grades 3-5
12. Global Books for the First Grade
13. Sensational Second Grade Books
14. Global Multicultural Picture Books: Teaching Reading Comprehension in Grade 3
15. Global Books for Grade 4
16. Fabulous Global Books for Fifth Grade
17. Books for Grade 7
18. Books to Teach Writer's Craft with in Middle School
19. Global, Multicultural Poetry Texts (Print and NonPrint) for Grades 7 - 12
20. Reading Memoir in Grades 8-12
21. Recommended Nonfiction for Middle School Learners
22. Exploring LGBT Books for Children & Teens
23. Cultural Characters: Or Why My Color Doesn't Wash Off -  Book & Instruction Suggestions
24. 30 Children's Books about Standing Up and Making Change
25. Latino/a Books for Elementary Children, Part I
26. Latino/a Books for Elementary Children, Part II
27. Latino/a Books for Elementary Children, Part III
28. Books about Labor and Unions for 4th -12th Graders
29. Selecting Read Aloud Books in K-5
30. Updated 2014 Global Back to School Books

Diverse Early Literacy Books for Social Studies by Jane M. Gangi K-4 Books about Women Scientists & Mathematicians: 2015 - 2016 Early Literacy Series #2: Shared Reading Resources for Preschool and Kindergarten Seeing Red! My 10 for 10 Picture Books Spring into Spring with 30 Pre-K - 3 Books 10 Nonfiction Picture Books I Cant Live Without #nf10for10 Celebrate Black History with 30 Children's Books Without Words: 20 Wordless Picture Books Published Recently

Links to Book Lists "Best..."

New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books, 2017
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books 2016
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2015
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2014
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2013
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2012
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2011
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2010

Outstanding Science Trade Books 2018
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2017
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2016
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2015
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2014
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2013
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2012
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2011
Outstanding Science Trade Books 2010

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (access 2000-2018)

2018 Book Recommendations: Children’s Books (NCTE)

Orbis Pictus Award for 2018
Orbis Picture Awards 2000-2017

Book & Media Awards (ALSC: Newbery, Caldecott, Belpre, etc.)

28 Interesting Books About Maps and Cartography

from Clarke, Victoria, Ed. (2015). Map: Exploring the World. London: Phaidon Press.

Cartography as Art Texts

1. Berry Jill K. (2016). Making Art From Maps: Inspiration, Techniques, and an International Gallery of Artists. Rockport Publishers. 
2. Berry Jill K.& Linden McNelly. (2014). Map Art Lab: 52 Exciting Art Explorations in Mapmaking, Imagination, and Travel. Quarry Books.
3. Clarke, Victoria, Ed. (2015). Map: Exploring the World. London: Phaidon Press.
4. Garfield, Simon. (2013). On the Map: A Mind-Expanding Exploration of the Way the World Looks.  Avery.
5. Goodwin, Valerie S. (2013). Art Quilt Maps: Capture a Sense of Place with Fiber Collage-A Visual Guide.  C&T Publishing.
6. Harmon, Katharine. (2016). You Are Here: NYC Mapping the Soul of the City. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Architectural Press.
7. Harmon, Katharine. (2010). The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography.  Princeton, NJ: Princeton Architectural Press.
8. Harmon, Katharine. (2003). You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination.  Princeton, NJ: Princeton Architectural Press.
9. Harzinski, Kris. (2010).  From Here to There: A Curious Collection from the Hand Drawn Map Association. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Architectural Press.
10. Hornsby. Stephen J. (2017). Picturing America: The Golden Age of Pictorial Maps. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press;.
11. Jacobs, Frank. (2009). Strange Maps: An Atlas of Cartographic Curiosities. Viking Studio.

Geography/History/Political Science

1. Baynton-Williams, Ashley. (2015). The Curious Map Book. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. 
2. Harley, J. P.  (2002). The New Nature of Maps: Essays in the History of Cartography. Edited by Paul Laxton. Baltimore, MA: Johns Hopkins Press.
3. Marshall, Tim. (2015). Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World. New York: Scribner.
4. Varga, Vincent. (2007). Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations. New York: Little, Brown and Company

Informational Texts

1. Brotton, Jerry. (2014). A History of the World in 12 Maps. New York: Penguin Books. 
2. Brotton, Jerry.  (2014). Great Maps.  Washington DC: DK.
3. Field, Kenneth. (2018). Cartography. Redlands, CA: Esri Press.
4. Reinhartz, Dennis. (2012). The Art of the Map: An Illustrated History of Map Elements and Embellishments. Sterling.
5. Riffenburgh, Beau. (2015). Mapping the World: The Story of Cartography. London: Andre Deutsch.

Literary & Film Maps

1. DeGraff, Andrew. (2017). Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies. Essays by Andrew Jones. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. 
2. DeGraff, Andrew. (2015). Plotted: A Literary Atlas. San Francisco, CA: Pulp.

Literature for Adults

1. Chatwin, Bruce. (2012). The Songlines. New York: Penguin Classics.

Picture Books/Informational Books for Young People (Grade 4-8)

1. Hibbert, Claire. (2017). Around the World in 80 Maps. Firefly Books.
2. Mizielinska, Aleksandra & Daniel Mizielinski. (2013). Maps. Big Picture Press.
3. Morrison, Taylor. (2004). The Coast Mappers. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers.
4. Nuñez, José Jesús Reyes. (2017). Children Map the World: Commemorating the International Map Year. Redlands, CA: Esri Press.
5. Ross, Val.  (2009). The Road to There: Mapmakers and Their Stories. New York: Pemguin.

32 Picture Books for Young Engineers in Grades K-3

from Those Darn Squirrels

Grades K-1

1. Belloni, Giulia. (2013). Anything is Possible. Illustrated by Marco Trevisan and Kite Edizioni. Toronto, ON: Owlkids Books, Inc.
2. Calmenson, Stephanie. "The Engineer." from Sylvia Vardell's The Poetry of Science: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for KIDS (p. 130). Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books. 
3. Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. "The Crane Operator." from Sylvia Vardell's The Poetry of Science: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for KIDS (p. 132). Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books. 
4. Jeffers, Oliver. (2011). Stuck. New York: Philomel Books. (740L) 
5. Hale, Christy. (2012). Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. New York: Lee & Low Books.
6. Kügler, Tina. (2015). In Mary’s Garden. Illustrated by Carson Kügler. New York: HMH Books for Young Readers.  
7. Lewis, J. Patrick. "The 'Black Leonardo." from Sylvia Vardell's The Poetry of Science: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for KIDS (p. 128). Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books.
8. Maier, Brenda. (2018). The Little Red Fort. Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez. New York: Scholastic Press.
9. Monroe, Chris. (2013). Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Seaside Shenanigans.  Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books.
10. Monroe, Chris. (2013). Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem.  Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books.
11. Rubin, Adam. (2011). Those Darn Squirrels. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. New York: HMH Books for Young Readers. (600L)
12. Spires, Ashley. (2014). The Most Magnificent Thing. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press.
13. Spires, Ashley. (2018). La idea más maravillosa / The Most Magnificent Thing. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press.
14. Van Dusen, Chris. (2007). If I Built a Car. New York: Puffin.
15. Van Dusen, Chris. (2012). If I Built a House. New York: Puffin.



from the Most Magnificent Thing.

16. Zelvar, Patricia. (2005).  The Wonderful Towers of Watts. Illustrated by Frane Lessac. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. (860L)

from Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking
Stream of Inventions. 

Grades 2-3

1. Barton, Chris. (2016). Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions. Illustrated by Don Tate. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. (820L) 
2. Beaty, Andrea.  (2013). Rosie Revere, Engineer. Illustrated by David Roberts. New York: Harry N. Abrams. (860L)
3. Beaty, Andrea. (2018). Ada Magnífica, científica/Ada Twist, Scientist. Illustrated by David Roberts. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
4. Beaty, Andrea.  (2017). Rosie Revere's Big Project Book for Bold Engineers. Illustrated by David Roberts. New York: Harry N. Abrams. (96 pp)
5. Breen, Steve. (2008). Violet the Pilot. New York: Dial Books. (740L)
6. Davis, Kathryn Gibbs. (2014). Mr. Ferris and His Wheel. Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers. (900L)
7. Fleming, Candace. (2013).  Papa’s Mechanical Fish. Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (480L)
8. Ford, Gilbert. (2016). The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring: The Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept the Nation. New York: Atheneum. (880L)
9. Ignotofsky, Rachel. (2016). "Edith Clarke," "Hertha Ayrton," "Tessy Thomas," and "Lilian Gilbreth." from Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World.  New York: Ten Speed Press. 

   

   from The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. 

10. Kamkwamba, William and Bryan Mealer. (2012). The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. New York: Dial. (910L)
11.  McCully, Emily Arnold. (2006). Marvelous Mattie. New York:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (760L) Kathryn Gibbs Davis Kathryn Gibbs Davis
12. Salas, Laura Purdie. "The Great Pyramid of Giza (Completed around 2570 BC." from Sylvia Vardell's The Poetry of Science: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for KIDS (p. 134). Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books. 
13. Shapiro, J.H. (2015). Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art. Illustrated by  Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. (650L)
14. van Reek, Wouter. (2008). Coppernickel,  The Invention. Brooklyn, NY: Enchanted Lion Books. .
15. Waters, Charles. "Foundation (Don't Rush It!)." from Sylvia Vardell's The Poetry of Science: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for KIDS (p. 136). Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books. 
16. Yamada, Kobi. (2016). What Do you Do With a Problem? Illustrated by Mae Besom. Compendium Inc. (500L)