How Do Bridges Not Fall Down?: A Book About Architecture & Engineering

by Jennifer Shand, Srimalie Bassani (Illustrator)

Have you ever wondered how bridges don’t fall down or how really old buildings stay standing up? In the How Do series, readers are welcome to guess along with the rest of us―and then explore the science behind the right answers. Basic principles of architecture and engineering are explored through diagrams, photos, and informative and engaging text. In How Do Bridges Not Fall Down?, readers will ·      Different types of bridges and their characteristics ·      How column and beam structures are supported ·      Building techniques used in ancient buildings and why they are still standing today ·      How skyscrapers are built and how they are reinforced ·      How structures are built based on their geographic location

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

Jennifer Shand began writing after working with children for many years and after graduating from James Madison University with a degree in Psychology. She is now the author of one middle grade novel, The Last Elf Daughter, and eighteen picture books including the Why Do? series, the How Do? series, the Sounds From the ... series, and fairy tale retellings. The goal of Jennifer's books is to encourage laughter and learning.

Reviews

[Cindy]

Great picture book to showcase how bridges and other superstructures are made to withstand the test of time.

Great introduction for a STEM/Team building activity on bridges.

Would have liked a little more back matter.

[Barbara]

Budding engineers and architects and those who are just curious about what makes certain buildings last so long while others crumble or how bridges manage to stay up will love this book while also having their questions answered. Using easy-to-understand text and illustrations, the book poses possible outlandish reasons for these feats of engineering before then dismissing those guesses and revealing the real science behind them. The back matter includes photographs of various bridges, locks, columns and beams, ancient structures, modern skyscrapers that really seem to scrape the sky, and building styles. This one would be a good choice for an elementary or intermediate classroom library. Who knows but that some future builder might not be inspired by the creations in this slim volume?

[Norah Baron]

It was a very basic book. I wish it had more information as I wanted to use it to help teach a class. It’s about other types of engineering other than bridges. It will work for a basic intro to bridges for my bridge unit with my gifted class.

[Robin]

Not sure what age group this would fit best as the text is advanced while the illustrations are more fitting for preschool.