My Dad is an architect which meant that not only did I grow up loving Lincoln Logs and drawing on graph paper, but I also had an early appreciation for the history of buildings and the possibilities of design. I might not have always been the most attentive listener as he pointed out different construction elements or features and concepts, but now I have a huge appreciation for all that I learned, because it truly makes you look at the world around you with a new fascination for the creativity and innovation that goes into so many of the structures you see every day. If you have a budding little architect who is equally excited by buildings and bridges and all the different possible things you can construct, here are a few books to encourage that passion and keep imaginations going!
Ever since my fifth-grade class did an entire unit on bridges, and we had to build our own from toothpicks, I have been fascinated by these amazing structures. Bridges accomplish many things—they span obstacles (rivers and canyons); they join places (cities and states and even countries); and they carry cars, trucks, and trains to deliver essential goods (food and clothing). Above all, bridges are feats of human innovation that bring people together. This book is a celebration of more than 100 bridges from around the world. Your little architect will be amazed, and you just might be constructing your own bridges before you know it!
This beautiful story illustrates a house becoming a home, as a family makes wonderful memories over the years. When the house grows cold and dark, it dreams of a new family and a new story to emerge from its walls. This cozy story warmly celebrates the soul of a house, and all the lovely things that make a house a home.
Take a trip across time to a gorgeous farmhouse where twelve children were born and raised. Two-time Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall invites readers to step inside this charming home and wonder at all that is inside. Based on a real family and an actual farmhouse where Sophie salvaged facts and artifacts for the making of this spectacular work, page after page bursts with luminous detail and joy. It’s an awesome reminder to never overlook the small details!
Who hasn’t dreamed of an amazing, wild, wonderful adventure living in a treehouse? And even better, a whole treehouse town! Whether you’ve envisioned creating a world among the branches and leaves, or you just would like to live there, Treehouse Town illustrates this world with exquisite detail. It’s a treetop utopia! With every read you’ll spot something new, and with every page, you’ll be a little more inspired to never stop dreaming with limitless possibility!
As an aspiring architect, it’s very important to always be looking at the world around you. Whatever landscape you might find yourself in, there’s always shapes and structures to discover. In City Shapes a young girl walks through her neighborhood noticing exciting new shapes at every turn. Illustrated by four-time Caldecott Honoree Bryan Collier, with playful verse from Diana Murray, it’s a celebration of the joy and life we see every day. It will hopefully inspire you and your little architect to do the same thing the next time you’re out on a walk!
I would argue that two of the most important aspects of being a little architect are curiosity and imagination! This Is How You Know is an ode to science and discovery and encourages the curious, inspires the imaginative, and gives dreamers of all ages a powerful tool for building a better world. If you have a passion, you should go for it! Give it a try! Learn all there is to know, and keeping exploring.
I bet there are plenty of little architects who love math. I would also bet that there are some who are a little more hesitant. While math is definitely an important aspect of learning to be an architect, no one should be intimidated by math! And this charming and tasty story from mathematician and author of How to Bake Pi, Eugenia Cheng, reassures young readers that math doesn’t have to be scary—especially when paired with pie!
