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Whose Tools?
The picture book Whose Tools? is “a nifty, unexpectedly sophisticated exploration of the tools and professions connected to the world of construction” ( Kirkus Reviews ).
This nonfiction ode to building a house from the ground up features six kinds of craftsmen and the 24 tools they use, accurately labeled. The answer to each inquiring refrain is revealed under a gatefold, seven in all, engaging the reader in an informative guessing game.
With lyrical (and factual!) text by New York Times bestselling author Toni Buzzeo, and the expertly stylized art of illustrator and designer Jim Datz, this sturdily constructed board book is perfect for curious and playful young readers.
“Women are well represented among Datz’s carpenters, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and painters (who are drawn in a range of skin tones), providing a subtle ‘you could do this, too’ message that is cemented in a closing scene of two children playing with blocks in the finished house.” — Publishers Weekly
A Guess-the-Job Book
Whose Tools?
Whose Truck?
Whose Big Rig?
Whose Boat?
This nonfiction ode to building a house from the ground up features six kinds of craftsmen and the 24 tools they use, accurately labeled. The answer to each inquiring refrain is revealed under a gatefold, seven in all, engaging the reader in an informative guessing game.
With lyrical (and factual!) text by New York Times bestselling author Toni Buzzeo, and the expertly stylized art of illustrator and designer Jim Datz, this sturdily constructed board book is perfect for curious and playful young readers.
“Women are well represented among Datz’s carpenters, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and painters (who are drawn in a range of skin tones), providing a subtle ‘you could do this, too’ message that is cemented in a closing scene of two children playing with blocks in the finished house.” — Publishers Weekly
A Guess-the-Job Book
Whose Tools?
Whose Truck?
Whose Big Rig?
Whose Boat?
16 pages, Board Book
First published May 5, 2015
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 15, 2018
Enjoyed reading this and going over each tool with Carl.
August 1, 2021
Fun way to learn about tools. I even learned a few new ones. I will get this again if Baby Girl seems interested in tools.
August 2, 2015
A clue and pictures of tools specific to a trade prompt kids to guess "Whose tools are those?" and then lift the flap to find out. A diverse cast of cheerful plumbers, masons, electricians and more (including women) work together to build a house in this fun and informative board book.
December 29, 2015
I can see this book as one that certain children will read over and over and therefore know words like plumber, electrician, mason, etc. I think this book would be better used one on one or two, but it could be shared with a group. Great illustrations representing people of color and both genders.
July 23, 2015
Age: Baby-3 years
Format: Board Book
A lovely guessing game that asks kids to match the tools to the professional that uses them.
Format: Board Book
A lovely guessing game that asks kids to match the tools to the professional that uses them.
August 7, 2015
anthropomorphic screwdrivers, pipe cutters, nail guns and wire strippers
January 6, 2022
Not sure if toddler or Daddy liked this one more. Cool illustrations and tools that relate to each job, though lots of the tools are outdated (or so the handy hubby tells us).
September 23, 2015
There are lots layers in this board book which is combo guessing game, rhyming book, early science book, vocabulary booster--plus the illustrations have wonderfully diverse characters. The book starts: To build a house,/ start down low./ Whose tools are these?/ Do you know? The tools such as, chisel, chalkline, float are shown. Then the young reader opens the flap to show the mason. Tools for other professions are included in the guessing game (i.e. carpenter, plumber, roofer). The final page celebrates building a house by showing real kids building a house out of blocks. The back of the board book shows all the tools included in the book so young readers can point to or name the tools. Great book for preschoolers up to Gr. 2 students.
Read
October 15, 2018My little builder selected this book - so I wasn't surprised he liked it! He loved seeing the tools and then enthusiastically shouting out the answer to "Whose tools are those?" I knew my three-year-old would love it, but I was surprised how much my five-year-old enjoyed it. She doesn't normally get interested in building, but this book appealed to her.
There's more to our review (like what Mom thought!) at the Reading Tub.
There's more to our review (like what Mom thought!) at the Reading Tub.
April 6, 2015
Young readers will adore lifting the pages of this sturdy board book and identifying all the tools that are displayed on its pages. There are 24 of them, all useful in building a house. Readers get to see the tools with labels as well as being used. The author has include common tools such as a hammer and snips but also some such as level and a utility knife that are not so common. I always wondered how builders managed to get those windows to fit into the walls just so.
August 28, 2015
A fun and challenging guessing book that introduces some specific vocabulary for construction workers (i.e. plumber, roofer, etc). I can see this working in a storytime with preschoolers if you introduce all the possible workers'names in advance of reading the book (and maybe put up on the flannel / felt board for reference).
February 28, 2016
daddy read this book to me. he and Mom really like it and say i should learn the words in there, and mom says she even learned a few things. mom really likes that there were women doing the jobs, too. dad says it is called a crescent wrench and mom says it is a monkey wrench but the book said adjustable wrench so now I am confused. there is so much to learn in this world!
September 22, 2016
This is a fabulous book for toddlers and early readers. It presents the tools and tasks of the crafts people who make a house in an engaging lift-the-flap style, with cheerful illustrations and gender-balanced workers. It's definitely better for one child with a reader than as a whole group book. My only criticism is the needless anthropomorphism of the tools.
August 28, 2015
Super cute book/guessing game combo. Love the different kinds of people represented as being part of the construction trade. I especially enjoyed the female electrician, as my cousin is an electrician. :) Represent!
May 10, 2016
Good board book illustrating the tools as well as the career person who uses the tools to build a house. Boys will love this as well as some girls and the illustrations show both working on the house.
August 8, 2016
Listed in CCBC Choices 2016 under Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. Board book is a guessing game of which construction worker uses which tools. Love the mix of male and female workers. Important to use correct names for tools, too. Sweet Spot: Preschoolers
August 28, 2016
This one is pretty good. More political correctness, though. There are way more women in this book than there are in real-life construction jobs. I noticed they didn't have a woman bricklayer... I guess that's a little too unrealistic, even for them.
August 8, 2018
I chose this one because I know so many people who work with their hands. Of course, it doesn’t mention drywall workers and that is what my dad does. I also appreciate that it rhymes a bit too. The illustrations didn’t hold the attention of my 7 month old.
May 1, 2015
Solid work for an informational board book, and refreshingly diverse. Also, the fold-outs are fairly sturdy, which is no small thing when it comes to books for the very young.
July 4, 2015
My son learned what a mason was from this book. Such a wonderfully unusual collection of information...yet it works great for tiny kids. Keeps Mom from being bored as well.
October 29, 2015
I like the all the different vocabulary.
July 23, 2015
A house built from the ground up features six kinds of craftspeople and the 24 tools they use, accurately labeled. The answer to "Whose tools are those?" revealed under a gatefold, seven in all.
August 5, 2015
A bit too busy for a board book but I know a lot of children at the library who will love it.
October 11, 2015
I loved it, but I'm not sure I think kids will love it.
November 4, 2015
Great board book to read, especially with construction-obsessed kids!
January 21, 2016
Cute board book for any kid that loves tools. Guessing game of who uses what tools as a house is being built. Cute ending. My four year old loves it and tools.
February 2, 2016
Boys loved this book; however they like Whose Truck? book better.
June 27, 2016
A very educational book for little ones to get an idea about tools and how they work. Easy to read and fun little book.
January 11, 2017
Fabulous peek-a-boo board book about the different skill (and tool) sets it takes to build a house. Highly recommended, especially for toddler-preschooler fans of tools, Bob the Builder, etc.
September 26, 2023
I applaud this book for the way it helps my children gain an understanding of what goes into building a house and the many people, occupations, and supplies that go along with it. From the hardworking masons, carpenters, roofers, electricians and more, to the array of tools they use, it is so much fun to guess what all matches with who. It gives an engaging visual with an equally fun activity to keep their imaginations lit up, remembering what would otherwise be so much information! The absolute sweetest ending left my son inspired to know he can be a part of something too, even as a kid! Altogether inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews