Building for Tomorrow

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-- This overview fails primarily because it tries to do too much. Examining all types of buildings, new and traditional technologies, and the problems and successes of modern architecture is a tall order for such a slim volume. Most topics are loosely related, but some are incongruous, raising more questions than they answer. Facts are grouped into sections such as ``Green Buildings,'' ``Temporary Shelter,'' and ``Floating on Water.'' Inset boxes challenge readers with questions relating to their thoughts on new styles of housing or suggest activities related to building technology. However, without guidance, most youngsters will not be able to design their own moveable buildings or figure out how much water is used by their families. Some words are defined, but it is difficult to understand why other equally unfamiliar terms are not. A half-page glossary repeats some of the words already defined. Most of the illustrations are full-color stock photographs, a few of which are small and difficult to decipher. Building for Tomorrow provides little satisfaction for budding architects and engineers and even less for report writers. --Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin