Curious Constructions: A Peculiar Portfolio of Fifty Fascinating Structures (Construction Books for Kids, Picture Books about Building, Creativity Books)

by Michael Hearst, Matt Johnstone (Illustrator)

Curious about constructions? Inside this book, you'll come face-to-face with 50 incredible structures, including: a fire-breathing octopus sculpture; the skateboard ramp you'd need to jump the Great Wall of China; a whole community of tree houses in Costa Rica; and a lifesize X-Wing Starfighter built of Legos. These and many more fascinating accounts of constructions both fantastically useful and gloriously unnecessary await inquisitive readers, aspiring engineers, and anyone who ever looked at a skyscraper and thought, "Yeah, but what if it had a roller coaster on top?"

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Art, Juvenile, Childrens, Construction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2017

Reviews

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third volume of the Uncommon Compendium Series brings structures of various size and shape to middle grade kids, and others who love the uniqueness and sometimes-absurd aspects of structures found around the world. Readers open to the Arecibo Observatory, the largest telescope with ears that can hear far into space, and then, a few page turns later, Biosphere 2. Anyone with an interest in science and the colonization of Mars will find Biosphere 2 interesting.

With fifty different structures in Curious Constructions, there should be something for everyone who reads this fantastic book. There are well-known structures, such as Stonehenge, the Great Barrier Reef, and Paul Bunyan with Blue. There are artistic structures, such as the Social Pool,

All of these structures required imagination and creativity from those who conceived of the structure, to the engineers and the builders, right down to those who enjoy the structure today. Curious Constructions, and other books like it, can help kids see the world differently, open their eyes to new possibilities, and inspire them to create Curious Constructions of their own.

Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/CuriousConstructions

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed with interesting information, but the author's humor seemed forced and at times insulting to young readers. e.g. ...wait, surely I don't need to explain to you what the word "construction" means, do I? I do?

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the world you can find strange structures made by man and nature. Take, for example, termite mounds. If you compare the size of termites to the size of humans you’d find that the mounds are equivalent in height to humans building a ___ story building. Pretty imressive.

Or, in an example of human engineering, look at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Built in the 1950s, it was designed to pick up signals from objects in outer space. It counts among its big discoveries the first planets outside our solar system.

These objects and 48 more are outlined in Michael Hearst’s Curious Constructions: A Peculiar Portfolio of Fifty Fascinating Structures. Part of the Uncommon Compendiums series, Curious Constructions is sure to appeal to young readers curious about science, engineering, and the strange workings of both man and nature.

Each curious construction is highlighted on a two-page spread, with illustrations by Mat Johnstone depicting what each structure looks like on one page and Hearst’s description with small illustrations on the other. Hearst’s tone is lighthearted, making the facts easy to understand and digest. In addition to technical information, Hearst also sprinkles the pages with quizzes that contain silly answers alongside real ones. Kids are sure to appreciate the nod to real-life quizzes they take in school, especially since these tests have no negative consequences.

Hearst also uses other things kids can relate to as a way to provide more info. For instance, on the page about Biosphere 2, an experimental community meant to help humans learn to live on other planets, he talks about one scientist’s efforts to create everything she needed to make a pizza.

Kids should love the oversize-format of Curious Constructions, which makes it easy to spot on a bookshelf and pull out for review of specific structures again and again. I recommend it for readers aged 9 to 13.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As he did in his earlier books, Extraordinary People and Unusual Creatures, Michael Hearst sets forth to inform and amuse readers about various aspects of one topic. In this case, his lively and often wry text and the colorful, detailed illustrations showcase 50 different structures around the world. Starting with the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and concluding with the Watts Towers in LA, he pays tribute to some amazing structures, some such as Tapei 101 man made, and others such as the Great Barrier Reef examples of Nature's handiwork. Although there is much about which to marvel here, there is also room to consider whether some of these things should ever have been built. While Hearst is appropriately filled with admiration for some of these architectural feats, he also is quick to point out the environmental costs of structures such as the Grand Canyon Skywalk and the Three Gorges Dam in China. For me , the most eye-popping image was the Millau Viaduct in France, a bridge for cars that rises 885 feet above ground. Yeah, no way that I'd ever be able to drive on that thing. I'd probably reach the access point and immediately balk, unable to go any further. The most interesting structure that just might save humans in the future was the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, a seed reservoir intended to replenish seeds in the case of a catastrophe. Often, the author includes true/false questions and sly asides that make the information even more engaging. It is interesting to note how much money humans have spent on certain misguided building projects. The end papers feature thumbnail sketches of all 50 curious constructions found inside the book's pages. I cannot imagine an intermediate or middle grader who could resist browsing through this book. While I read it in one sitting, it is perfect for browsing and collecting interesting facts to impress friends and family.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember how in the book Madhattan Mystery by John J. Bonk, Lexi and her brother Kevin were introduced to the Whispering Arch in Grand Central Terminal? Well, that arch is just one of the curious constructions found in this book that is chock full of construction oddities found around the world. Other curious constructions you will discover are cathedral termite mounds. These mounds are made of mud, plant matter, termite saliva, and feces, and can be over 13 feet tall - all done to allow the cathedral termite to live a cool life underground, far from the hot sun in northern Australia. Or how about the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculptures every January. Harbin is in northern China and it’s a pretty cold place (right now, it’s -6° F, and 53 in NYC). My Kiddo wanted to teach in Harbin until she found out how cold it is, but she did go see the ice sculptures and said they are breathtaking. Of course, there is Stonehenge in England, one of the oldest and still most mysterious of constructions in the world. How did they ever get those heavy rocks on top of the heavy rocks to long ago. If these are kinds of things that fascinate your young readers, this is an ideal book for them, particularly if you have a budding engineer or even a Legos aficionado (as I have). All the curious constructions are illustrated in a flat, nostalgic color palette that adds to their mystery.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book that discussed curious and interesting constructions from around the world. Each construction had a two page spread, one was a hand drawn and hand painted illustration of the construction, the other was an informational page. The information was presented in a very engaging, fascinating way. It talked about history, the methods of construction, geographic location and more. Not all were man made constructions, some were natural.

Some of my favorites included:

The Parachute Drop Ride at Coney Island

Finca Bella Vista Treehouse Community - It resembles the Ewok treehouses, high in the trees of the Costa Rican forest.

Grand Central Terminal - Part of this illustration was the night sky mural, brought vividly to life.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Pyramid of Giza

Harbin Snow Sculptures in China - The Centerpiece of an annual festival

Hudson Athens Lighthouse - One of seven lighthouses on the Hudson river, this one has a twin called the Stepping Stones lighthouse

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant - An underwater eating establishment in the maldives, that I think it would be so cool to visit!

Petra

LEGO X-Wing in Denmark - A 1:1 scale model that is remarkably constructed.

A vibrant, interesting, informative book, especially if you love architecture.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book a lot, but not as much as I love Hearst's earlier book, Unusual Creatures. From the author's note and throughout the book, the humor is sarcastic in a manner that appeals more to teenagers and adults than to children. I love the information, however, to the extent that I can't stop thinking about it and I want to research to learn more. This is an excellent quality for a nonfiction children's book (or any nonfiction book) to have. The Tower of David is the tallest homeless shelter in the world. North Korea has the largest unoccupied incomplete building in the world. So many interesting facts. I just wish the Social Pool picture didn't have underwear next to the pool (so we can infer just how social that couple really is) and I believe some of the jokes, such as the multiple choice questions on the page regarding North Korea, are too sarcastic or require background knowledge that many children don't have yet. Now I need to go research how in the world Donald Trump even considered commissioning an artist to install a 5' x 11' swimming pool in his limousine... or was that just sarcasm? Typo on page 66 -- "not to metion..." This could have been an excellent children's book.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

FASCINATING!

At first glance, I didn't think I'd like this book because it was all drawings and no photos. Yet after I read just one entry, I realized it didn't matter. The drawings were spot-on but the information was absolutely tremendous. Not only a description about each place or landmark, but why it was built and was it really a good thing. I particularly liked it when the author made you think a bit. Like, yeah, this is pretty cool but what is the purpose and did it harm anything or anyone in the process of building?

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great collection of unusual and interesting constructions! There are some of the usual suspects here, like Petra and the Eiffel Tower, but there was a lot of places I'd never heard of before. It took forever to get through the book because I kept looking up information about the various entries online. I have only one complaint, but it's significant: the illustrations were not detailed enough to give adequate visual information about the entries (part of why I kept looking them up). A book like this needs to have photographs unless David Macaulay is illustrating it.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at 50 curious constructions around the world. Each item is presented on a 2 page opposing spread. An illustration and a brief descriptions often with some light-hearted comments thrown in. You could enjoy a page a day or consume more as you wish. A 1:1 scale model of an X-wing Star fighter 11 feet tall with a wing span of 44 feet - made out of Legos. The tallest roller coaster is just right around the corner from us in Jackson NJ. It reaches the top speed of 128 miles an hours and then drops and drops and drops some more. Also, an undersea restaurant and a tree-house village.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the author’s sarcasm and the right age reader will too. Adds just the right amount of conversational tone for what could amount to a boring info dump. Would be a fun family read. Add a wall map and it would be great for homeschoolers who vary in age. Or add some Keva planks and have them build some of these structures. Fascinating. Found myself reading it aloud to my husband and son during commercials as they watched sports at night.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearst has quite the talent for writing in such a way that you want to laugh as you learn in this book on some really interesting, or curious, constructions around the world. So many of them I had never heard of. My son enjoyed it too. Great read and a wonderful way to learn a little more about obscure places.

[Kyle Pucciarello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost like a non-fiction graphic novel. Illustrations are excellent and fun, without taking away from the facts in the book. I often prefer real photographs, but this works as a next level "What is..." nonfition book.

[Kermit · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars

Fun to read. I liked all 3 books in this author's Uncommon Compendiums series.

[Kris Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great funny kids' book about different constructions--bridges, tunnels, buildings. Good for adults too.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my science loving son

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Definitely purchasing for my school library.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that I wanted as a kid. I was always curious about stuff; this book has it in spades. Fifty structures, buildings, and concepts from around the world -- some famous, some less famous -- are featured in alphabetical order by their name. Coverage for each varies over two-page spreads, but usually includes an introductory paragraph, fast facts, and a full-page cartoony rendering of what the construction looks like. Some have quotes about the object, some have poems; all have a lightness and personal, conversational quality that makes learning fun. This runs the gamut of things familiar (Arecibo Observatory, Eiffel Tower, Gateway Arch, Stonehenge, Terracotta Warriors) to the hidden and unusual (Berkut Oil Rig, Finca Bellavista, Harbin Ice and Snow Sculptures, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Transcontinental Airway System). I have been to/seen several: Gateway Arch, Grand Central Terminal, Longaberger Building, and Watts Towers. Just enough to get youngsters hungry for more about each!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty cool book. Readers get to travel the world and get some facts on a collection of fascinating structures. Some of the structures were ancient, some were not human made, and others are from more recent history. And all of it was presented with a fun, humorous, approachable tone.