Booklist Review of How to Build Our World

“This cheerful How to Build Our World series helps young readers understand environments, layer by layer. Each title builds a particular setting by adding elements one at a time: foundation, surface details, inhabitants, photographs, captions highlighted in bright blocks of color, and a sentence or two of straightforward text. Creating a Coastline is one of the more sophisticated titles, as it considers coastal variations (rocky vs. sandy beaches; the presence of cliffs, dues, or marches) and how both animals and tourists enjoy the shore.

Organize and Ocean is quite accessible for very young audiences; it works its way down, from the ocean’s sunlight layer through the twilight and midnight zones, the abyss, and trenches. In a like manner, Raise a Rain Forest begins at the bottom, with the forest floor, and logically works its way up through the understory, canopy, and emergent layer; the wide selection of animals is appealing, too. Setting Up a City examines an urban setting, tackling infrastructure (water, electricity), buildings (homes, shops, places of worships), and services (transportation, parks, emergency services). All selections emphasize protective green measures, include a glossary, and end with invitations to create additional environments. This visually appealing set reinforces technical vocabulary and will help readers understand how systems connect to one another. "