Synopses & Reviews
Ever wonder how a suspension bridge can cross a gap thousands of feet wide? Want to know how to build a comfortable lounge chair out of cardboard boxes? Or what keeps a massive cathedral dome from collapsing? Discover the answers to these and many more questions in Steven Caneys Ultimate Building Book, a wonderfully comprehensive exploration of design, construction, and invention that will stimulate the curiosity of children and adults alike. Much as David Macaulay's blockbuster The Way Things Work did for machines and devices a decade ago, this definitive volume from best-selling author Steven Caney details the ins and outs of construction in all its fascinating forms. Packed with exciting building projects guaranteed to engage anyone from age 4 to 104, the Ultimate Building Book gives easy-to-follow instructions for creating amazing models and toys that are as much fun to make as they are to play with! Readers are also introduced to a wide variety of household materials and tools that can be used for building, along with fascinating insights into the architectural and design properties of everything from drinking straws to yurts. A mammoth project in its own right, this book has been under construction for more than a decade. The result is hundreds of superbly illustrated pages that will enlighten and fascinate armchair architects of all ages for years to come.
Synopsis
A wonderfully comprehensive book of design, building, and architecture for kids aged 4 to 104, Steven Caney's Ultimate Building Book is the latest learning blockbuster from an author who really knows how to connect with children's imaginations. It's packed with exciting construction projects that will keep them engaged for hours on end. The fun begins with clearly written, superbly illustrated explanations of 20 different building systems made from simple household materials. Then, children can sink their fingers into more than 100 easy-to-follow architectural activities using those systems, while the text encourages them to use the activities as inspiration for their own inventions. They'll be introduced to the huge variety of materials that can be used for building (most of which are right in front of them) and the pros and cons of each, including its life span and potential for reuse. Interesting, informative sidebars offer amazing insights into the architectural and design properties of everything from drinking straws to yurts. Appendices for parents and teachers provide helpful hints on encouraging building play and providing an ideal environment for such activity.
Synopsis
This definitive volume details the ins and outs of construction in all its fascinating forms. Packed with exciting building projects guaranteed to engage anyone from age 4 to 104, the Ultimate Building Book gives easy-to-follow instructions for creating amazing models and toys.
Synopsis
A wonderfully comprehensive exploration of design, construction, and invention that will stimulate the curiosity of children and adults alike
About the Author
Caney is on the faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design and maintains his own design business.