Children's Literature
- Children's Literature
A bridge is a simple concept, but it can be very complex in the range of possible solutions. Planning a bridge and building it involves a great many people. This is the kind of book I loved as a kid, full of easy to follow projects with a lot of illustrations. Every phase of bridge building is explored from a variety of perspectives. Simple exercises demonstrate the workings of a range of types of bridges--suspension, beam, draw and arch. Using readily available household supplies, you learn how to build a cofferdam and see how bridges are built over water. Line illustrations are supplemented with photographs. This is a great way to get kids starting thinking about complex construction projects and the physics and planning involved. 1999, Williamson Publishing Co., Ages 7 to 14, $10.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris
School Library Journal
Gr 2-6-An upbeat blend of science, history, and how-to instruction that will delight children and educators alike. Each chapter consists of numerous short articles combining historical and technical information on the design and construction of bridges with easy hands-on experiments. Contents range from analysis of the arch, beam, and suspension systems to the "care and feeding" of structures and reflections on bridges of the future. Interspersed throughout are simple projects involving building, measurement, or observation, such as testing the strength of varied paper shapes or constructing a Popsicle-stick truss bridge or-for literary types-writing bridge poems. The book concludes with a challenge for young minds to "think outside the box." Students wishing to access the projects quickly can consult the index under "activities." Sidebars such as "Learn the Lingo" and "How It Works" explain key terms and concepts. Others solicit problem-solving responses. Eye-catching photographs and cartoon illustrations in blue and orange tones abound; clear organization of text and unifying page borders create an attractive graphic package. The volume includes a list of notable bridges by state and country; those mentioned in the text are highlighted. This is a good resource for libraries and science centers and will be well thumbed by future generations of bridge builders.- Mary Ann Carcich, Suffolk County Community College Library, Riverhead, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
