Review by Booklist Review
Robyn Boid, a pale-blue bird, nests on the ledge of a university's architecture school, and her ambition becomes as lofty as her perch. Overlooking an inspirational skyline while listening intently to classroom lectures overheard through the window, she dreams of becoming an architect. As she practices building circular, triangular, and rectangular forms, then ambitiously constructs domes, spires, pyramids, pagodas, and towers, she tries to discover the best nest shape for an egg. In the end, Robyn becomes an egg-xceptional designer and builder, innovative within her basic principles of nest design. The text helps children imagine the two- and three-dimensional shapes that form the basis of Robyn's work, while introducing architectural terms within the narrative. Well structured and dynamic, the digital artwork is often striking and engaging. When Robyn reconstructs famous structures as nests, adults will recognize the Sydney Opera House, the Chrysler Building, and the Eiffel Tower. An appended key identifies all the notable buildings, and a glossary defines terms such as cantilever, plinth, and parapet. This Australian picture book offers a lively introduction to architecture.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Robyn is a round, bluish bird who lives on a ledge high above a university. As she scans the skyline and sees all the amazing shapes and details of the buildings below, she decides to become an architect in order to create the perfect place for an egg. Using sticks, she learns to craft nests into all shapes, sizes, and styles, including buildings with domes, spires, parapets, balustrades, and keystones as inspirations. As she learns about symmetry, scale, and texture, she then applies those concepts to cantilevers, towers, and pagodas, looking for the best place to safely shelter and protect an egg. There are numerous alliterative phrases in the story ("pedestals, patterns, and plinths") and plays on words ("egg-xactly," "egg-xpert") that make for a fun read-aloud and the illustrations of buildings, done in stick-lines, are fascinating to look at. Hidden within the illustrations are 14 worms, many of which blend well into the designs, and 34 blue speckled eggs, giving readers a reason to return again and again. This book would serve as a great introduction to vocabulary specific to architecture (there is a brief glossary at the back), and as an entertaining read. VERDICT Consider for elementary schoolers interested in architecture, buildings, and structures.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
