Learn about the Eiffel Tower, beloved and iconic symbol of Paris, France, and one of the most recognizable structures in the world!
When the plans for the Eiffel Tower were first announced, many people hated the design of the future landmark, calling it ungainly and out of step with the beautiful stone buildings of the city. But once it went up for the World's Fair in 1889, the people of Paris quickly fell in love with the tower. Today it seems impossible to imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, which greets millions of visitors each year who climb up its wrought-iron stairs, ride its glass elevators, and enjoy the wonderful views of the city spread out below it.
This book, part of the New York Times best-selling series, is enhanced by eighty illustrations and a detachable fold-out map complete with four photographs on the back.
Dina Anastasio grew up and lives in New York City. She lived in West Cork, Ireland, for many years. She is a freelance writer and past editor of Sesame Street Magazine (four years). She is a mother of two with three grandchildren.
March 31, 1889, marked a triumphant day for France, as its 'Tricolore,' blue, white, and red flag was displayed atop the newly erected, bold, and beautiful Eiffel Tower, an astounding 934 feet in the air. This marvel of artistry and architecture would, at that time, hold the title of the world's tallest structure! Gustave Eiffel was properly impressed by his tower and its distinct beauty, but its critics, however - and there were many - called it a 'monstrosity,' a 'giant ugly smokestack.'
Gustave wasn't the only one who appreciated this modern wonder, as others reveled in its great size and uniqueness, but unfortunately, there were also a great many who questioned what the iron thing even was. Some French people were so put off by it that they wrote letters to the editor protesting the tower. France was a country patterned with gorgeous, old stone buildings and historical monuments, and the new tower's detractors felt it just didn't fit in. Little did they know that the Eiffel Tower would go on to become one of the most famous landmarks in the world!
Where Is the Eiffel Tower? is another installment of the lovely Who HQ series of books, that we have grown to love so much in my household. As an avid history buff at the ripe old age of seven, my son really appreciates this wonderful series, as do I. Among many other fascinating details about the Eiffel Tower and the European French Republic, this book shares with us the details of Gustave's early life and his ascent into an engineer and inventive businessman.
As a clever young boy, he found himself bored by school, and his grades reflected his disinterest. With his parents owning a successful coal transporting company, he would much prefer to watch the ships loading and unloading coal at the canal port in Dijon, France. Eventually, he met the right teachers who helped him to foster an appreciation for literature, history, and science, and his grades soared. It was at college that Gustave met his first true love: metal.
Gustave's fondness for this revolutionary building material came with an abundance of curiosity, as he began to investigate how he could bend, shape, and use the element innovatively. After enrolling in engineering school, and working as an unpaid apprentice at his brother-in-law's iron foundry to learn all he could, he went on to open his own company: Société des Établissements Eiffel. His team consisted of engineers, architects, and designers, and from 1879 to 1883 they would work on their most famous project of that time, creating the metal framework inside the USA's Statue of Liberty.
After adding such an important element to the fabric of American society, Gustave went on to producing a structure equally as majestic for his homeland. The Eiffel Tower was introduced to the French people and the world, by maintaining the entry point to the Exposition Universelle. This Internationally celebrated fair held in Paris hosted exhibits from all over the world, with some 61,000 exhibitors, that displayed products, artwork, and held performances of dance, music, and theatre. A few of the more popular American offerings were Thomas Edison's electric lights, and tin-foil phonograph, Alexander Graham Bell's line of telephones, and a Wild West show put on by Buffalo Bill.
The abundantly successful fair went on for three months, and after its completion, Paris officials called to have the Eiffel Tower removed. At once clever and determined, Gustave Eiffel was narrowly able to keep his tower a part of the city's skyline. Where is the Eiffel Tower? lays out for us how his resourceful mind was able to save one of the world's most iconic structures, and assist in modern communication for his beloved country, allowing for millions of tourists and dilettantes to continue to enjoy its beauty more than a century later.
Not unlike other volumes in the Who HQ series, this informative book treats us to detailed sketches that depict the various buildings and sites discussed within, which help to give the reader a well-rounded and visually accurate perspective. So if architecture and history are your (peach) jam, and your littles love non-fiction as much as my lad does, be sure to pick this one up for you and the kids!
To see the bookmark I was inspired to make upon reading this book, please visit my blog post on peachybooks.ca here.
Where Is the Eiffel Tower? by Dina Anastasio is from the NY Times award-winning "Where Is..." series of books targeted for the youth market but older people will enjoy them, too. In this one, the author provides us with facts and details on the history of the Eiffel Tower designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) held in Paris. Today it is the most recognizable and beloved symbol of Paris but this was not always the case. Many people initially hated the design and called it a monstrosity and worse. It was also intended to be a temporary structure for a number of years after the conclusion of the Exposition, but was extended and eventually made permanent. Lucky for me and my wife who were able to experience it on a trip to Paris years ago. Before the addition of elevators, it was a long climb to the top. Today there are elevators and a variety of restaurants and shops to enjoy as well for every taste and budget. Loaded with facts and well written, this is a quick but fascinating read.
This book is full of fascinating facts about one of the greatest landmarks in France. It is written in the simple, yet informative Where is...? series style that appeals to young readers. The Eiffel Tower was not only a new construction and design for the fair, but also ushered in a new age of building modern skyscrapers and enhancing technology as we know today. I did not know that the Eiffel Tower had more uses than being a tourist attraction. A quick and interesting read.
A good young-adult book on an interesting subject in Engineering history. It does a great job with the sociology of the tower and the time, but wish there were more (some) science and math to it. A good books for technically - leaning kids.
Always an enjoyable read, these series books pack enough information into a bite-sized chronological and organized set of facts around a topic that I can't help but love them. And I ALWAYS walk away having learned at least one new thing and that's why I appreciate them so much.
Did you know that no one died over the two years it took to build the Eiffel Tower BUT an employee who climbed up it after it was finished with his girlfriend fell to his death trying to impress the girl. And did you know a Nazi flag actually flew at the top while the Nazi's occupied France? And Hitler, in all his crazed madness actually ordered a subordinate before they left France to burn down each of the monuments and landmarks in France and ultimately this man refused even though the bombs were in place? Fascinating!
So again, it's an organized and easy-to-understand story of the Eiffel Tower of Gustave Eiffel himself, who fronted the money to build it (along with his creative prowess) and was able to be paid back by entry fees within the first year of it opening for the World's Fair.
This book is full of fascinating facts about one of the greatest landmarks in France. It is written in the simple, yet informative Where is...? series style that appeals to young readers. The Eiffel Tower was not only a new construction and design for the fair, but also ushered in a new age of building modern skyscrapers and enhancing technology as we know today. I did not know that the Eiffel Tower had more uses than being a tourist attraction. A quick and interesting read.
Recommended for grades 3-5. Lexile Level: 830 Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
I've read a few of the books in this series as they are easy to plow through and are actually full of useful and interesting information. They are becoming a pretty solid staple in the elementary school library and it's nice to see non-fiction books that are engaging at this grade level. I'd say that out of all of the ones I've read so far this one stood out as better than the rest. The way the information was organized made it easy to follow and understand, which sometimes gets lost when learning about a foreign country. I think there was enough tie into current events and recognizable occurrences that almost any student with some background knowledge would be able to make a connection and it also focuses a lot on the determination and ingenuity that was required to make the Eiffel Tower possible. I wouldn't tell someone to stop what they are doing and pick up this book right this instant, but if you're looking for a great resource for a report one might be doing on the subject this will not disappoint.
Anastasio, Dina Where is the Eiffel Tower? 108 pgs. CHAPTER BOOK Grosset and Dunlap, 2017. $9.00 Content: G.
This nonfiction book summarizes how and why the Eiffel Tower was built with explanations about the architect Gustave Eiffel and the World Fair of 1889. It covers the dimensions of the tower, what is inside of it and how it has been used throughout history. There is also stories of other exciting inventors that were at the World Fair and stunts that have been performed at the Eiffel Tower. The tower has undergone improvements and is one of the most recognized structures in the world.
This book is fantastic. It gives simple and interesting explanations about people, places and stories surrounding the tower. There are black and white drawings to help the reader. I love this series and this is a great addition.
I enjoyed learning more about the Tower and Gustave Eiffel. The book is fairly short and, for someone who is interested in the material, a quick read. I think children would have a harder time reading this book as it isn't exciting. The pictures are pretty good. The best thing I found out was why they removed the Art Deco arches that looked so beautiful. I also didn't know about the legs of the tower having to have extra support.
I like these books because they teach history of a subject quickly and are a good introduction to a subject.
I thought that this short book gave a lot of Interesting information on the Eiffel Tower but my favorite part of the book had not thing to do with the tower. It was when we are told of Charles Garnier and the Palais Garnier. If you have read any of my reviews or know anything about me you know how much I love the book,movie,musical of The Phantom Of The Opera. So I loved seeing him talked about in hear.
Truly one of the most magnificent structures ever created. I am happy that after all that hard work Gustave went through that the Eiffel tower didn't get destroyed. I haven't seen it in person but I am obsessed with this beauty. I love the images in the book and was happy to learn the history.
I love this series! I'm a third grade teacher and they're perfect for my students, especially when they take an interest in something that we don't have a lot of time in the curriculum to cover. I also really enjoy reading them! All the details and facts are fascinating.
I wish I had read this book to my client before I went to Paris...so much history around this Paris landmark...so much I wish I went up the Eiffel Tower when I had the chance too!