Skyscraper

by Jorey Hurley

“Hurley’s book is as sleek and modern as its subject.” – Booklist
“Kids will leave with a solid foundation about the immensity of large-scale construction.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A sophisticated vehicle primer with detailed construction vocabulary.” — Publishers Weekly

Acclaimed picture book creator Jorey Hurley whose work has been called “stunning” and “dramatic” tells the story perfect for the youngest reader of all the different and mighty trucks it takes to build a city skyscraper!

What once was a vacant lot, watch as truck by truck, a towering skyscraper is built in this beautifully illustrated picture book about trucks and construction. This beautiful picture book includes a glossary of fourteen truck images and their names.

Genres: Picture Books, Construction, Transport, Childrens, Storytime, Nonfiction, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 22, 2019

About the author

Jorey Hurley studied art at Princeton, received her law degree from Stanford, and studied design at FIT. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Matt Craft · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good vocabulary book for toddlers or pre-K who like trucks or construction. Illustrations are simple and bring focus to the construction equipment, but there are also some nice seasonal details to look for.

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a single verb on each page, this book tells the story of a skyscraper being built.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple text lovely illustrated

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for the imaginative child. Taking a big concept (building buildings, cities), and breaking it down into steps that would spark a child's imagination.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skyscraper by Jorey Hurley. PICTURE BOOK. Paula Wiseman (Simon & Schuster), 2019. $18. 9781481470018

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Each two page spread of this book has one illustration and one verb written in large letters. The illustrations and actions all convey the process by which skyscrapers are built.

The illustrations in this book are lovely. They are detailed without being busy and clean without being boring. I like that the colors are non-traditional for the usual construction book, broadening the appeal to both genders and more readers.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Darcie Caswell · Rating 1 out of 5]

With just one word per page, this books follow the process of building a skycraper in a city. Starting with the deomolition of an old building to make room for the new building (which I found refreshingly honest, but also a sad way to start).

Though only one word per page, the vocabulary is excellent, introducing words children don't typically hear but also words that children will find interesting and able to include in their world. Lots of trucks throughout, which will be popular with many young readers.

Preschool-Kindergarten

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jorey Hurley uses the same artistic style as in her previous picture books in this new title as well as the one word text for each double spread illusion. However, Hurley illustrates the entire page leaving no white space as she did in previous titles. This does contain further information as to what each of the heavy machinery is named and a glossary gives a definition of what each piece of heavy machinery does on a construction site.

[Rachel Slyter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book has only one word on each page but is very descriptive. The pictures are great. The author tells a story through pictures about how skyscrapers are built and what equipment is used. I really enjoyed this book. It would be perfect for pre-k because of the amount of words. I would use this during a community helper unit to discuss different types of trucks or during a building unit and incorporate this into block center.

[Laura Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the single word per page simplicity of this book to demonstrate the construction of a skyscraper. All the different vehicles are shown doing their task with a single child appropriate word to describe their task.

I especially love the glossary at the end to explain the different vehicles for interested minds.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Hurley's books, and the graphic simplicity of the illustrations. Gorgeous. I think that many little ones who are into machines will enjoy this. Thank you for including WHAT those machines are at the end along with more details!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word descriptions are paired with cool illustrations of a construction vehicle ("push", "lift", "dig", etc), so there's not a ton of text. The illustrations would be appealing to a truck-crazy kiddo, though!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for any Little who's in the full throes of a truck phase. Each page has only one word, but it still makes for a solid "story" as you see the skyscraper take shape. And the back pages have a glossary where all the equipment is labeled, defined, and explained.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever presentation of the erection of a skyscraper from digging of the foundation to the finishing touches. The clever part is there is only one word of text on each page. It begs for imitation. Hmm...let's see...cake? book? garden?

[Darlene Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A near-wordless book that traces the process of building a skyscraper from start to finish. Perfect for young builders and car and truck lovers. Backmatter identifies all the equipment involved and adds a thumbnail of information.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big machines, trucks, and construction. Includes a glossary.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

No story here but decent pictures and a glossary. Good for little ones interested in trucks and construction.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jorey Hurely's books are SO good for baby storytime. I'm happy to have another to share.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those little ones who like construction, this is an attractive, simple book.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for vocab.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One word text was thinking about using for word study for verbs. My favorite part the pages at the end explaining the vehicles and glossary.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Aliza Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the author’s typical style of one word per page, this is how a skyscraper is built. Construction site and truck loving kiddos will like this one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for children that love building things, construction vehicles, and building construction. Simple text...one word per page...and fun illustrations.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool art in this single word per page picture book.
Too young for book fairs

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Cyril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creates a narrative with just one word on each page. A good pick for the truck/construction-obsessed kid.

[Adrienne]

Rating depends upon what you intend to do with the book.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a one word a page book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent construction themed book!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good use of verbs.