The Fort on Fourth Street: A Story About the Six Simple Machines

by Lois Spangler, Christina Wald (Illustrator)

When a young child decides to build a fort in the backyard, Grandpa comes forward to help. But they can't do it alone-they get help from the six simple lever, pulley, inclined plane, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge. Told in cumulative rhyme, similar to The House That Jack Built, readers follow the building process to completion and discover the surprise reason it was built.

Genres: Science

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

Reviews

[Grace VanKirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fort on Fourth Street is a fun story that introduces kids to simple machines. Kathleen and her grandfather work together and use all 6 simple machines to make a really cool fort. The process seems to go pretty smoothly and the fort turns out really well. The story rhymes and there is another element of rhyme in the steps that keep getting added on to. The illustrations show how the simple machines work and they are very detailed. The illustrations also involve a cat and dog which would interest a student.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars because the story of a granddaughter and grandfather building a fort together is touching. The story didn't overly involve the simple machines. It was informative. The illustrations and text were engaging. I would definitely read this book to a class because it is a good way to tie a narrative with education. The science aspect isn't too overbearing.

[ACS Book-finder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who better to give a review of a children's book than the little ones themselves? Well, our librarian read the book to several class groups and here is what they are saying....

"I like the book and the dog." Zoe...K4
"I liked the book. My favorite part was when he built the fort." Qunicy...K4
"I liked it! I've always wanted to build a fort that wouldn't fall over or I can fit in." Preston.... 2nd
"I like it! I like the room that had science stuff in it because I like science." Konnor 1st
"The book was great! I really liked the science stuff and the pulley." Chandler.... 1st
"It was awesome! I like that they built a fort. I've always wanted to build one." Zack... 4th

Now from a "grown-up" perspective, The illustrations are very well done showing grand dad and the kids building a fort and the pets are romping on the pages. But the really engaging part is that it is a story in rhyme with a story within the story. As the main story of building a fort using six simple machines progresses, the right hand page recounts the story line (sort of akin to "this is the house that Jack built"). Gramps has a design (just like a real builder would have) and with his measuring instruments and six simple machines he builds the fort.

Near the end the rhyme concludes...
At last, I look around and what do I see?
Six simple machines used to build a fort for me!
We used wheels and axles, a wedge, some screws,
a pulley, a lever, and an inclined plane, too!!

The back of the book has several pages for creative minds to explore simple machines, tools, and hands on information. A great opportunity to use a fun book to teach, and teach, and teach some more.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Fort on Fourth Street: A Story about the Six Simple Machines was provided by SylvanDell Publishing in exchange for this honest review. Opinions expressed are solely ours. The winner’s complimentary copy is also provided directly to them by Sylvan Dell.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is a machine? Most of us would immediately think of a copy machine or heavy-duty factory machines or something like that. However, the six simple machines that Grandpa and his grandchild use to build a fort in the backyard on Fourth St. are a wheel and axle (wagon), wedge (saw), screw (wood screws), pulley (pulley with rope and basket), lever (crowbar), and incline plane (ramp). As the pair build the fort together from start to finish, can you guess the surprise ending that awaits the reader at the conclusion of the story?

This fun, rhyming text, after the order of “This Is the House That Jack Built,” introduces young students to the scientific concepts behind the six basic machines that have been in use for hundreds of years as illustrated by everyday objects that children are familiar with. The “For Creative Minds” educational section contains more information on the “Simple Machines,” a “Match the Machines” activity, questions about “Measuring Tools,” and suggestions for “Hands On: Building a Fort.” More free activities are available online at the publisher’s website. One might wish that all science could be presented in this cleverly written way.

[Lauren Brink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book introducing the six simples machines. The book is about building a fort with their grandpa, which can be relatable to young kids of all ages. I think this is a great book for young kids who are interested in science. It is a great way to introduce them to these different machines. In addition, in the back of the book it provides directions on how to build your own fort, as well as an activity for “creative minds” to match the six machines with different tools provided. The book also provides an answer key. I would definitely use this in my classroom for a science lesson. When introducing these different machines, reading this book aloud is a great way to get the students excited about what is to come. Also in class I could have to students brainstorm their own projects they would like to do using these different machines and eventually narrow them down and pick one to do as a class.

[Mymcbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review: This a story about how Kathleen’s grandpa used six simple machines – A lever, an inclined plane, a pulley, some screws, a wedge, a wheels and axles to build her a fort for her and her friends, a fun place to play. Kathleen explains step by step how her grandpa used these tools to build the fort.

The last few pages of the book gives additional and educational material activities such as include matching the machine.

I recommend this book for classroom teaching. The illustrations by Christina Wald are colorful and helps tell the story.

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fort on Fourth Street: A Story About the Six Simple Machines by Lois Spangler is an adventure into scientific principles using the process of building a fort to teach children about the six simple machines. It is a fun and interesting book that, with the help of Grandpa, gives Kathleen and her friends a fun place to play. The book also includes 4 pages of activities that parents and children can complete together reinforcing the ideas and concepts presented in the book.

*Reviewer received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to six simple machines--the lever, the wheel and axle, the inclined plane, the screw, the pulley, and the wedge. Because each of them is used in a very practical way, to help build a fort for one child--the fort actually looks like a beginning lab for a curious youngster--readers can see the application of the concepts and how each one works. The cumulative portion of the story seemed a little clunky and contrived to me, but I did like all the activities and how it is a grandparent who does all the building.

[Maryam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Responses from teachers were lukewarm. Students in 1st and 2nd grade bilingual classes liked the story and pictures but did not pick up content or vocab without teacher's/reader's explanations.

[Monica Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice way to intoduce some basic machines and concepts. Nice to see a girl is doing the building.