Towers and Tunnels

Ray Doiron is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at the
University of Prince Edward Island and the Preschool to Grade 6
nonfiction reviews co-ordinator at Resource Links.

This companion book to Etta Kaner’s Bridges provides basic information
on the engineering and construction of skyscrapers, towers, and tunnels.
The book attempts to use an interactive approach by presenting questions
the reader may have and exploring the answers through experiments and
activities. A young female engineer guides children through explanations
of the foundation, framework, and trusses; the use of elevators in the
building of skyscrapers; how engineers ensure that towers will stand up;
and how they overcome the many problems presented in constructing long
tunnels. The book provides 15 experiments and projects through which
children can demonstrate the principles behind the techniques used by
engineers. Teachers could develop these activities into classroom
demonstrations.

Although the information is accurate and well presented, and the topic
is certainly of interest to many elementary-school children, the female
engineer appears more as a young teen than a professional woman anxious
to share her expertise with young people. Recommended with reservations.