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Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece
In the wooded heart of Pennsylvania, a house perches atop a waterfall. The water's tune echoes through its sunlit-dappled rooms, and the façade blends effortlessly into the rock and forest behind it. This is Fallingwater, an architectural masterpiece born from the marriage of meticulous research and unbounded imagination, the legacy of the lauded American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
This stunning picture book collaboration between Marc Harshman, Anna Egan Smucker, and LeUyen Pham guide readers through Wright's process designing Fallingwater, from his initial inspiration to the home's breathtaking culmination. It is an exploration of the creative process; a celebration of potential and the vision required to unlock it. Graceful prose and rich, dynamic illustrations breathe life into the story of Wright and of Fallingwater, a man and a home unlike any other.
-from front cover flap
This stunning picture book collaboration between Marc Harshman, Anna Egan Smucker, and LeUyen Pham guide readers through Wright's process designing Fallingwater, from his initial inspiration to the home's breathtaking culmination. It is an exploration of the creative process; a celebration of potential and the vision required to unlock it. Graceful prose and rich, dynamic illustrations breathe life into the story of Wright and of Fallingwater, a man and a home unlike any other.
-from front cover flap
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2017
4 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Marc Harshman
35 books12 followersMarc Harshman is the poet laureate of West Virginia, appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in May 2012. His poems have appeared in such publications as Shenandoah, The Georgia Review, The Progressive, Appalachian Heritage, Bateau, and Fourteen Hills. Other poems have been anthologized by Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, and the University of Arizona.
His eleven children's books include ONLY ONE, a Reading Rainbow review title on PBS TV and THE STORM, a Junior Library Guild selection and Smithsonian Notable Book Parent's Choice Award recipient. Booklist has called this same title "a knowing book that will speak to all children about self-image and hard-won success."
Mr. Harshman was honored in 1994 by receiving the Ezra Jack Keats/ Kerlan Collection Fellowship from the University of Minnesota for research of Scandinavian myth and folklore. He was also named the West Virginia State English Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia English Language Arts Council in 1995. More recently, he was named the recipient of the WV Arts Commission Fellowship in Poetry for the year 2000 and the Fellowship in Children's Literature for 2008. His children's titles have been published in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Danish, and Swedish.
Marc is fondly known by many as a storyteller who served for over twenty years as a judge for the WV Liar's Contest held at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV. He has also served as an instructor for the historic Appalachian Writer's Workshop at the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, KY.
Marc holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He recently received an honorary doctorate from Bethany College in recognition of his life's work.
In honor of West Virginia's Sesquicentennial, Marc was commissioned by the Wheeling National Heritage Area to write a poem celebrating this event. This poem, "A Song for West Virginia," was presented in both Charleston and Wheeling as part of the day-long festivities held that day.
His eleven children's books include ONLY ONE, a Reading Rainbow review title on PBS TV and THE STORM, a Junior Library Guild selection and Smithsonian Notable Book Parent's Choice Award recipient. Booklist has called this same title "a knowing book that will speak to all children about self-image and hard-won success."
Mr. Harshman was honored in 1994 by receiving the Ezra Jack Keats/ Kerlan Collection Fellowship from the University of Minnesota for research of Scandinavian myth and folklore. He was also named the West Virginia State English Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia English Language Arts Council in 1995. More recently, he was named the recipient of the WV Arts Commission Fellowship in Poetry for the year 2000 and the Fellowship in Children's Literature for 2008. His children's titles have been published in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Danish, and Swedish.
Marc is fondly known by many as a storyteller who served for over twenty years as a judge for the WV Liar's Contest held at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV. He has also served as an instructor for the historic Appalachian Writer's Workshop at the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, KY.
Marc holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He recently received an honorary doctorate from Bethany College in recognition of his life's work.
In honor of West Virginia's Sesquicentennial, Marc was commissioned by the Wheeling National Heritage Area to write a poem celebrating this event. This poem, "A Song for West Virginia," was presented in both Charleston and Wheeling as part of the day-long festivities held that day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 30, 2018
Although the very prominently featured and presented authorial messages of following one's dreams are indeed important and much appreciated, and that having confidence in oneself, that starting, creating new and unique projects, that all of this can and often does have the tendency to act like a healthful tonic of rejuvenation and invigoration, I for one was definitely expecting considerably more factual information and details on the actual construction process of Fallingwater, and thus to and for me, the presented narrative of Mark Harshman's and Anna Egan Smucker's Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece, while indeed in many ways inspiring and reaffirming has actually also been more than a little personally disappointing. For if one looks at the book's title (Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece) it certainly does seem to claim that there would be the precise step-by-steps of the actual construction of Fallingwater disseminated (from idea, from design to its completion) and I for one therefore and most definitely had expected much more of a minute and detailed analysis of both the building process in and of itself and also how Fallingwater looked during the different phases of its construction (both on the outside and on the inside, something that I for one do not really consider as having been all that much and successfully achieved with regard to Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece, as especially the inside of Fallingwater and that it was actually designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to resemble a cave, really never is even remotely considered and shown).
Combined with the annoying and frustrating fact that on my iPad, the Kindle download version of Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece sports such a minuscule font size that especially the supplemental materials (the authors' notes, bibliography and such) are basically almost impossible to read with any kind of comfort and ease even when I am zooming in to enlarge the printed words, and although LeUyen Pham's accompanying illustrations are indeed and in fact colourful and evocative, I on a personal reading pleasure level (and because Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece just does at least for me not all that much present and feature what the title itself has promised, namely how specifically and in detail, Frank Lloyd Wright designed, constructed and had Fallingwater built), can and will only grant a two star ranking, a high two star rating to be sure, but for me, the disconnect between what the authors' text, what their narrative shows and what the title of the book implies are far too personally annoying and frustrating to consider three stars (although if the transfer of Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece to an e-book format had been more reader friendly and less difficult to easily peruse, I most probably could have been persuaded to round my ranking up to a low three stars, but I am certainly getting rather sick and tired of Kindle picture books where one almost needs proverbial eagle eyes to adequately read the tiny and often rather washed out, contrast-poor written scripts).
Combined with the annoying and frustrating fact that on my iPad, the Kindle download version of Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece sports such a minuscule font size that especially the supplemental materials (the authors' notes, bibliography and such) are basically almost impossible to read with any kind of comfort and ease even when I am zooming in to enlarge the printed words, and although LeUyen Pham's accompanying illustrations are indeed and in fact colourful and evocative, I on a personal reading pleasure level (and because Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece just does at least for me not all that much present and feature what the title itself has promised, namely how specifically and in detail, Frank Lloyd Wright designed, constructed and had Fallingwater built), can and will only grant a two star ranking, a high two star rating to be sure, but for me, the disconnect between what the authors' text, what their narrative shows and what the title of the book implies are far too personally annoying and frustrating to consider three stars (although if the transfer of Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece to an e-book format had been more reader friendly and less difficult to easily peruse, I most probably could have been persuaded to round my ranking up to a low three stars, but I am certainly getting rather sick and tired of Kindle picture books where one almost needs proverbial eagle eyes to adequately read the tiny and often rather washed out, contrast-poor written scripts).
December 4, 2017
"A house like no other,
where sun can shine,
where balconies can fly,
where falling water
is heard from every room."
Gorgeous non-fiction read about how Wright was inspired to build the fabulous Fallingwater home in 1934. Now I feel inspired to visit this masterpiece at some point.
April 3, 2018
Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece I really wanted to love this book and thought that I would, but ultimately it fell a little short of my expectations. I think the authors and illustrator put in a valiant effort (I really appreciated their notes at the end) at what appeared to be a difficult task -- describing and illustrating "a house like no other." The writing style was sometimes pleasantly poetical and sometimes a bit all-over for me (I can't help thinking it would have just flowed better in past tense?) but I think they succeeded in showcasing the special nature of Fallingwater. I wanted more from the illustrations, too. I felt that they gave a sense (both in style and in substance) of Fallingwater but I didn't really feel that I got to know Fallingwater itself any better through the book. I wanted more clear illustrations of what the house looked like inside, what we got seemed such little snippets. Still, I think the book succeeded in showing how one can dream new dreams and achieve new heights at any age, that thinking outside the box can be wonderful, and that a home built *with* the land, and not simply *on* the land, can be very special, indeed. The bibliography at the end is a nice addition, though I would have liked an actual photo of the house included at the back of the book (I've seen photos before, but think it would be helpful for children new to it).
November 15, 2017
I never imagined there would be a children's book about Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, but here it is. Authors Harshman and Smucker describe how Wright was commissioned to build the house by department store magnate Edgar Kaufmann, and how he planned and arranged to have it built. I'm sure building a house over a waterfall wasn't easy, and in addition he wanted it to look as if it belonged there, as if it were a natural part of the environment. Leuyen Pham, who illustrated this book, did a creditable job of depicting how it was constructed, despite the fact that few photos exist of the process. It must have been an incredible place to live in, especially beautiful in winter, and to have the constant sound of the water lulling you to sleep. I did wonder as I was reading whether the house was waterproofed against flooding or the natural dampness that comes with being near water. I should think it would be very humid there. In the author's note at the end of the book it says that cracks have appeared in the foundations since it was built, and that "to ensure Fallingwater's stability, steel cables were inserted along the house's concrete beams" in 2002. I would love to see this place for real, but the best I could do was Google photos of it. This book should spark young readers' imaginations and get them thinking about other nifty places to live, and the possibilities that architecture presents. Recommended!
October 12, 2020
A lovely picture book about the inspiration for, the building of, and the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright's "house like no other" in western PA. Years ago, I had passed Fallingwater on my way to spending the day at Ohiopyle several times, but I never had an interest in seeing the house. After learning more about Wright over the years and the appearance of the famous domicile in a fictionalized future (the Scythe series by Neal Shusterman), I decided to add it to my travel bucket list. I'm sorry that I didn't stop to see it the many times I was in the area.
Readers learn that the house was designed to appear as if it had grown out of the natural landscape in which it exists, appearing to float over the waterfall, made out of the same natural materials as surrounds it as if it truly is just an extension of the natural environment. I loved the images and rich imagery created by the word choice as well as the illustrations. For example, the authors compare the scaffolding used during construction to "branches extending from a tree" spreading "its spindly legs"...
It's a lovely picture book, and it leaves the reader desperate to see the entirety of the house. If western PA school children visit this site as a field trip, this book would be the ultimate read-aloud to garner excitement but also to be used as a study in language arts. Themes include having a dream and seeing that it comes to fruition, working together, and how an artist/architect works.
Readers learn that the house was designed to appear as if it had grown out of the natural landscape in which it exists, appearing to float over the waterfall, made out of the same natural materials as surrounds it as if it truly is just an extension of the natural environment. I loved the images and rich imagery created by the word choice as well as the illustrations. For example, the authors compare the scaffolding used during construction to "branches extending from a tree" spreading "its spindly legs"...
It's a lovely picture book, and it leaves the reader desperate to see the entirety of the house. If western PA school children visit this site as a field trip, this book would be the ultimate read-aloud to garner excitement but also to be used as a study in language arts. Themes include having a dream and seeing that it comes to fruition, working together, and how an artist/architect works.
November 26, 2017
Thanks to Kid Lit Exchange and the publisher for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
Falling Water is a newly released biographical picture book about Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece. “Like a lantern glowing in the trees, the house hangs in the darkness.” From daydreams to realization, Falling Water’s illustrations bring to life Wright’s modern wonder. I’d recommend this for any young reader interested in architecture, and for every classroom library’s non-fiction collection. I wasn’t super inspired by the story itself -- it seemed like the message was that Wright had a dream and everything just fell into place for it to happen exactly as he had wanted it. I did love the illustration style and it inspired me to look at images of the building for comparison.
Falling Water is a newly released biographical picture book about Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece. “Like a lantern glowing in the trees, the house hangs in the darkness.” From daydreams to realization, Falling Water’s illustrations bring to life Wright’s modern wonder. I’d recommend this for any young reader interested in architecture, and for every classroom library’s non-fiction collection. I wasn’t super inspired by the story itself -- it seemed like the message was that Wright had a dream and everything just fell into place for it to happen exactly as he had wanted it. I did love the illustration style and it inspired me to look at images of the building for comparison.
September 13, 2019
While it's apparent from the back matter that a good deal of research and thought went into this book, I find it not very engaging. The illustration style is unappealing. There is no information on who Wright was, about his philosophy, his innovations, his reputation, or his contributions to the field of architecture. The first page simply states that he was "the most famous architect in the world" - why? The author's note just says, "He had once been recognized as the world's greatest architect" (which is actually something quite different from being the most famous). I realize this isn't intended to be a children's biography of Wright, but the book seemed to assume that readers already knew more about him.
July 31, 2025
I enjoyed the illustrations. Nice little book on Falling Water.
January 27, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and KidLit Exchange for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Having been to this home and knowing a bit about the story, I was excited to read this children's title. The illustrations are very good as is the story but it wasn't quite what I expected. I was thinking there would be more factual information about how the home was designed and built. Instead, the history of creating Fallingwater was used as a means to express hard work and determination to the target audience. It was more a story about having a dream and making it come true, which is a great message, but like I said I think I was expecting something else.
I think this could be a good read aloud title for grades two through four.
Having been to this home and knowing a bit about the story, I was excited to read this children's title. The illustrations are very good as is the story but it wasn't quite what I expected. I was thinking there would be more factual information about how the home was designed and built. Instead, the history of creating Fallingwater was used as a means to express hard work and determination to the target audience. It was more a story about having a dream and making it come true, which is a great message, but like I said I think I was expecting something else.
I think this could be a good read aloud title for grades two through four.
July 14, 2017
Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
As a school librarian in Wisconsin, I have a large number of students every year choosing Frank Lloyd Wright as their topic for their Wisconsin Heritage Fair projects, so I was absolutely delighted to see the subject of this new book! I will be purchasing two copies for my elementary school library, and will be encouraging my 4th grade teachers to purchase copies for their classrooms as well.
FALLINGWATER is the true story of how Wright's masterpiece by the same name in Pennsylvania came to be, and describes in detail the process of designing and the inspiration behind the unique structure. The text of the story is detailed enough to use for research, but spare enough for a rich whole class read aloud including discussion of Wright's career and extensions involving images and exploration of Fallingwater itself. There is a very thorough author's note and artist's note in the back pages that will be excellent for research purposes, and the finished copy will also include a bibliography and source notes.
The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are absolutely stunning and manage to capture the uniqueness of Fallingwater, and in the artist's note Pham discusses how difficult it was to replicate the structure on paper. This book would be excellent for use in art classes for discussions on architecture and illustrations of architecture.
Highly recommended for all school libraries and classrooms in general, but a required purchase for those in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
As a school librarian in Wisconsin, I have a large number of students every year choosing Frank Lloyd Wright as their topic for their Wisconsin Heritage Fair projects, so I was absolutely delighted to see the subject of this new book! I will be purchasing two copies for my elementary school library, and will be encouraging my 4th grade teachers to purchase copies for their classrooms as well.
FALLINGWATER is the true story of how Wright's masterpiece by the same name in Pennsylvania came to be, and describes in detail the process of designing and the inspiration behind the unique structure. The text of the story is detailed enough to use for research, but spare enough for a rich whole class read aloud including discussion of Wright's career and extensions involving images and exploration of Fallingwater itself. There is a very thorough author's note and artist's note in the back pages that will be excellent for research purposes, and the finished copy will also include a bibliography and source notes.
The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are absolutely stunning and manage to capture the uniqueness of Fallingwater, and in the artist's note Pham discusses how difficult it was to replicate the structure on paper. This book would be excellent for use in art classes for discussions on architecture and illustrations of architecture.
Highly recommended for all school libraries and classrooms in general, but a required purchase for those in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
April 29, 2018
Harshman, Marc and Anna Egan Smucker Falling Water: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece, illustrated by Leuyen Pham. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2017. $19. 9781596437180
Edgar Kaufman hired Frank Lloyd Wright to build him a house by the stream called Bear Run in the woods of Pennsylvania. Wright was a world famous architect but as he got older he hadn’t built anything for a while, but he took on Kaufman’s request. Wright spent many months taking in the beautiful nature surrounding Bear Run and created the plans for a home that was built over the stream so you could hear the waterfall inside the home. After the home was completed it became another of Wright’s famous structures.
The illustrations in this book are fantastic and the story is not well known among kids. I think this is the type of book that makes the reader curious to find out more about what Frank Lloyd Wright has built as well as more about the house called Fallingwater. I'm not sure if kids would be interested in this story even though as an adult I find it fascinating.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Edgar Kaufman hired Frank Lloyd Wright to build him a house by the stream called Bear Run in the woods of Pennsylvania. Wright was a world famous architect but as he got older he hadn’t built anything for a while, but he took on Kaufman’s request. Wright spent many months taking in the beautiful nature surrounding Bear Run and created the plans for a home that was built over the stream so you could hear the waterfall inside the home. After the home was completed it became another of Wright’s famous structures.
The illustrations in this book are fantastic and the story is not well known among kids. I think this is the type of book that makes the reader curious to find out more about what Frank Lloyd Wright has built as well as more about the house called Fallingwater. I'm not sure if kids would be interested in this story even though as an adult I find it fascinating.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
November 19, 2017
This picture book focuses on just one on Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings, Fallingwater. It looks at the process that Wright used to design the building, from viewing the site itself to thinking for a very long time about what he would design. It was at the very last moment that Wright actually put the design on paper so that the owner of the site could see his vision. That vision came to life in Fallingwater, where you can hear the waterfall from every room in the house, stand outside on the balconies, and the floor feels like rocks in a streambed. All of these details will help children better understand the architectural process and how it begins with a vision and idea. The illustrations have a lovely vintage sepia tone and feel with the blue water of the site flowing from page to page, swirling and enlivening the images. A lovely and focused look at a famous architect’s work, this picture book is inspiring. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
April 24, 2018
This felt like a book more for adults than for children. It lacked suspense in that there wasn't anything quite out of the ordinary about the story of the house's creation. I wonder if the author had gone into the context of the economic conditions at the time given that it was built during The Great Depression, there might be more drama to this tale. I could see adults following along because they have respect for Wright's work already and might already be interested in learning more detail; even so, there isn't anything super new or interesting offered.
It also had a disappointing amount detail on the interior of the house. I feel like I'd need to look up photos to really understand what Wright accomplished, and I feel that a nonfiction picture book should be able to tell me more about this.
I'd still give it three stars for interesting, experimental illustrations and some enjoyable poetic language.
It also had a disappointing amount detail on the interior of the house. I feel like I'd need to look up photos to really understand what Wright accomplished, and I feel that a nonfiction picture book should be able to tell me more about this.
I'd still give it three stars for interesting, experimental illustrations and some enjoyable poetic language.
January 15, 2018
The inspiration for Frank Lloyd Wright's famous house is examined in this lovely picture book. Why build on a waterfall? How should one build on a waterfall? These questions and what it takes to answer them are at the crux of this examination of the creative process. Pham's gorgeous watercolor and ink art portrays the man, the setting, the time (1930s) and the process of building with equal affection, using colors that palpate with life. The lyrical prose describes simply and beautifully. Back matter includes a wealth of supplemental information, including a bibliography.
I wonder if the audience intended for this book, 5-8 yr olds, will get the importance of Wright's work. In the end, it seems like a book that will be more appreciated by adults.
I wonder if the audience intended for this book, 5-8 yr olds, will get the importance of Wright's work. In the end, it seems like a book that will be more appreciated by adults.
August 27, 2017
Thank you KidLitExchange for the opportunity to review this book, free from the publisher.
Several years ago, I read Loving Frank, an adult book about Frank Lloyd Wright's life. Since reading it, I have been so intrigued and have visited two of Wright's homes (Oak Park and Taliesen East) and toured two houses he designed. Fallingwater, his most famous structure, is in Pennsylvania and is one that I cannot wait to visit.
I was definitely biased going into this book because I already knew so much, but I think kids will still enjoy this short biographical picture book about Wright building this house on top of a waterfall! I definitely recommend checking this book out and I hope to someday see Fallingwater in person!
Several years ago, I read Loving Frank, an adult book about Frank Lloyd Wright's life. Since reading it, I have been so intrigued and have visited two of Wright's homes (Oak Park and Taliesen East) and toured two houses he designed. Fallingwater, his most famous structure, is in Pennsylvania and is one that I cannot wait to visit.
I was definitely biased going into this book because I already knew so much, but I think kids will still enjoy this short biographical picture book about Wright building this house on top of a waterfall! I definitely recommend checking this book out and I hope to someday see Fallingwater in person!
October 25, 2017
I really did not know much about Frank Lloyd Wright before, and although not a look at his whole life, I liked the concentration on this particular piece of architecture.
Gorgeous illustrations from the extremely talented LeUyen Pham.
Gorgeous illustrations from the extremely talented LeUyen Pham.
February 23, 2018
I have visited Fallingwater several times over my life and just loved it. I grew up living blocks from his Robie House. Though I think the book is a little misleading in that the first paragraph could make the reader think that Fallingwater was near the end of his career while he went on to design for another 22 years.
July 27, 2019
The illustrations are gorgeous, but the book seems to be more about the message of following your dreams than it was about the actual architecture. I was hoping for more information about the actual building process.
November 21, 2017
I've visited Taliesin West, but still need to get to Fallingwater. This picture book story of how it was designed and built makes me want to go NOW.
March 11, 2018
A terrific picture book to introduce Frank Lloyd Wright and his masterpieces, Fallingwater to elementary students.
February 6, 2021
It's gorgeous and clear and wonderful.
December 6, 2020
When we can travel freely, I want to revisit Fallingwater. This picture book helps in the meantime.
December 29, 2017
This is a beautifully illustrated and inspiring biography which exposes young readers to Frank Lloyd Wright's significance. I only give it 3 stars because I wish the author had included a photograph of the home at the end; also, although my children enjoyed the book, I do not think they would pick it up to read a second time.
April 9, 2018
I gave this book 5 stars partly because I felt it accomplished the goal of telling readers about the inception and construction of the house; and had interesting info about Frank L. Wright. No, it didn't really go into detail about the interiors, as it concentrated on the design of the exterior, and how it fit into the landscape around it.
However, the book did send me to Google to look for more images of the house, and I also found the website for the house, which is now open to tourists. Incidentally, it does have magnificent interiors. This house is now officially on my bucket list.
However, the book did send me to Google to look for more images of the house, and I also found the website for the house, which is now open to tourists. Incidentally, it does have magnificent interiors. This house is now officially on my bucket list.
June 26, 2018
A biography of Frank Lloyd Wright that focuses on his later years and his masterpiece, Fallingwater. The narrative is appropriate for younger children and the watercolor, ink and gouache illustrations are wonderful.
This book was selected as one of the books for the April 2018 - Building and Engineering discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was selected as one of the books for the April 2018 - Building and Engineering discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 4, 2017
Thank you to #kidlitexchange for providing me with a advance reading copy of this book. All opinions and reviews are my own.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater was a dream realized. This book is embodies that dream.
Harshman and Smucker’s vivid descriptions of the building of this masterpiece pull the reader into Wright’s dream and bring it to life. My favorite line is from the construction of Fallingwater: “The scaffolding is knocked away--- and the dream flies free, soars over the water.” The use of figurative language adds life to the tale of Fallingwater AND the inclusion of moving water on almost every page spread by illustrator Leuyen Pham adds to not only the dream-like feeling from the book but also provides additional vitality to the pages.
This is a great book for the intermediate and middle grades, especially in a unit that focuses on dreams, creativity, and ideas. Adults who love architecture may want to share this with their families. It’s the perfect precursor to a family trip to Fallingwater.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater was a dream realized. This book is embodies that dream.
Harshman and Smucker’s vivid descriptions of the building of this masterpiece pull the reader into Wright’s dream and bring it to life. My favorite line is from the construction of Fallingwater: “The scaffolding is knocked away--- and the dream flies free, soars over the water.” The use of figurative language adds life to the tale of Fallingwater AND the inclusion of moving water on almost every page spread by illustrator Leuyen Pham adds to not only the dream-like feeling from the book but also provides additional vitality to the pages.
This is a great book for the intermediate and middle grades, especially in a unit that focuses on dreams, creativity, and ideas. Adults who love architecture may want to share this with their families. It’s the perfect precursor to a family trip to Fallingwater.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
December 12, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own. Fallingwater is SUCH an incredible place to visit so I was very excited to read this book. The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are beautiful and intricate and I love the color scheme - incredibly inviting. However, I didn't love the story in text. I feel like it left out so much of what is intriguing about the building and Frank Lloyd Wright. The story seemed to jump around and didn't have a tunneled focus to deliver an important message or even understanding. With a slightly more clear plot or lesson, I'd love it more. Hopefully this will inspire many a curiosity voyage into the life of Frank Lloyd Wright or perhaps a quick family road trip to the great state of PA! It certainly makes me want to get back up there sometime soon!
July 4, 2020
I have always admired Fallingwater and this book is perfect to teach young readers its origin story.
June 5, 2022
We will be visiting Fallingwater in a few weeks and this was the perfect introduction to Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural wonder. I learned that the house was commissioned by the Kaufmann family. If you have visited Pittsburgh, you may have seen a Kaufmann department store - similar to Macy's. Mr. Kaufmann owned the property. He and his family frequently had picnics at the top of the waterfall and he decided he wanted to have a summer house built near the falls. He envisioned a house that would look at the waterfall. Since he knew that Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for building structures that embraced their natural surroundings, he asked him to come for a visit to look at the site and design a house. This was in 1934 and Wright was in his 60s. He had not designed anything in over a decade and people thought his career might be over. But he was quite taken with the idea so he set about to design a house - not one that looked at the waterfall but one that was built on top of the waterfall - where the sound of the water could be heard in every room and natural light would stream in through the windows. It took him over a year to come up with a design and many other architects thought it was a folly and could never be built. Wright proved them wrong. Kaufmann opened up a local quarry on his property and was able to offer employment to many people during a time when jobs were scarce which was a good thing. The house did have structural problems later on because Wright refused to use reinforced concrete but steel rods were inserted to help support the house.
LeYuen Pham's illustrations are, as always, amazing. Be sure to read both the author's note and the illustrator's note at the end of the book as they provide excellent information. And there is a lovely list of sources and related material to peruse.
LeYuen Pham's illustrations are, as always, amazing. Be sure to read both the author's note and the illustrator's note at the end of the book as they provide excellent information. And there is a lovely list of sources and related material to peruse.
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