This fact-filled guide for kids 7 to 17 explores the world of architecture as you’ve never seen it before, from tiny shacks to vast palaces – and everything in between!
''Given the global spread of coverage and the unusual buildings chosen, this is a must for children’s history, art, and architecture collections."
— Booklist Starred Review
''A delightful and informative trip around the globe."
— School Library Journal
''The illustrations are fresh and the book has a whimsical feel about it. It’s unusual and delightful and it should definitely be on any parents list!''
— The Portugal News
''A wonderful book to generate interest in the built environment."
— Goodreads
This atlas of architectural wonders eschews the classic children’s book fare of the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal, and instead takes a broader view of what constitutes amazing architecture. Buildings include: the Jameh mosque of Isfahan in Iran, Native American plank houses in New Mexico, Stave Churches in Norway, The Djinguereber Mosque in Mali, and extraordinary 18th century wooden churches on Kizhi Island, Russia.
Over 50 buildings span all the continents equally throughout history. Each of these buildings is visually striking and architecturally noteworthy; they introduce new engineering technologies or define a movement or capture the essence of a moment in human history. However, despite their significance, they are, for the most part, not part of the main Western architectural canon.
This book seeks out a more diverse, inclusive approach to what constitutes amazing architecture, and presents it with fresh illustration and clear, punchy text.
Established illustrator Peter Allen, whose work has been published extensively by Usborne and Walker, brings the illustrations alive in his typical playful and dynamic style.