Since many Bay Area libraries are being remodeled and retrofitted for earthquake preparedness, a storytime about building and construction might be fun. Kids seem to gravitate toward the heavy machinery, or they may wonder, “What is that guy doing with those tools?” For a craft project, kids can make simple paper houses out of a rectangle for the main section, a triangle for the roof, and squares for windows. Of course, throw in a book on shapes to go with this craft!
Barton, Byron. MACHINES AT WORK. A general construction machinery book.
Barton, Byron. BUILDING A HOUSE. This simple book describes the work of carpenters, plumbers, roofers, masons, electricians, and painters.
Alexander, Martha. HOW MY LIBRARY GREW BY DINAH. In this story of a little girl who watches the new library being built across the street from her house, and you see how much goes into a new building and how it takes several seasons for it to be completed.
Merriam, Eve. BAM BAM BAM. A brief rhyming text with onomatopoeia is matched to Dan Yaccarino’s colorful retro paintings.
Gibbons, Gail. TOOL BOOK. A simple description of a carpenter’s tools.
Miller, Margaret. WHO USES THIS? Among the unusual items in the photos are some building tools.
Rockwell, Anne. THE TOOLBOX. A story about the tools on Dad’s workbench.
Various. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Even younger preschoolers know which house is built the strongest in this classic.