Bookishness, Mamaishness, Teacherishness

Books about Building.

We’re getting a new roof today. It’s exciting, in that we won’t have to worry about leaks. It’s unexciting, in that it’s a very expensive way to make a lot of noise. Nonetheless, we’re grateful for it!

Since I’ve had shingles on the brain, I thought I’d share a few of our favorite books about tools and building things. There are many on the market, but my favorites don’t involve licensed characters.

books about building

We’ll start with the classic: The House that Jack Built. This is my favorite version of the old rhyme, which is not surprising given its darling vintage illustrations. My girls have fun identifying all the tools, and completing the rhyme on each page. It’s also an entertaining way to show children the construction of a building, literally from the ground up.

books about building

Taro Miura’s gorgeous Tools used to be my go-to first birthday gift, until it got harder to find. Each spread shows the tools used by one particular professional. The images are large and graphic, with the item’s name shown beside it in a bold typeface. The variety of tools depicted in the book is exceptional, and pretty much guaranteed to make your preschooler look like a genius the next time you need a locksmith.
books about building

For the younger crowd, Daddy and Me is one of my favorites. Typical of Karen Katz’s style, this lift-the-flap board book tells the story of a child and father building a doghouse. Each tool is shown in use in sequence during the doghouse’s construction. The book is short, sweet, and straightforward, making it ideal for the short attention spans of the very youngest readers.

books about building

Finally, a book from the non-fiction giant Gail Gibbons. How a House Is Built describes the building of a modern house from start to finish. It explains not only the structural construction, but also the installation of systems that make a contemporary home safe and comfortable. If your child is a Lego fiend, this is a great book to take that sort of thinking just a bit farther.

{The book links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Read It, Make It! receives a small commission. Thank you!}