What Can Build?

Children's Literature

This "What Can?" entry in the "Read and Learn" nonfiction series begins with a definition of building and then poses a series of mostly evident questions. Can birds, small creatures, bugs, spiders, machines, or people build? Each double page spread shows two examples that may or may not build, and extra information is given. For instance, animals are shown building nests and dens, while people are shown using machines to erect buildings or make cars. Photographs in this series are clear and colorful and an ending quiz question with reference to a previous page, a picture glossary, and a small index help readers become familiar with nonfiction text and some of its conventions in this nicely done series. In addition, the layout of the text encourages new readers to tackle these books with real success. 2004, Heinemann Library, Ages 3 to 6.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.