My kids quite enjoy look-and-find books, especially my four-year-old son. We also love flipping through the pages of nonfiction picture books to learn about the world through vivid illustrations. When recently offered the chance to review Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers written by Susanne Rebscher with illustrations by Annabelle von Sperber from Prestel Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library.
Author/Illustrator
Author Susanne Rebscher currently resides in Bamberg, Germany. Her books include biographies of Leonardo da Vinci and Julius Caesar and Where’s the Artist?, also from Prestel Publishing.
Illustrator Annabelle von Sperber currently resides in Berlin, Germany. She has illustrated more than 100 books including Where’s the Artist? and The Great Big Art History Colouring Book.
Synopsis
Recommended for children between the ages of 5 and 8 in kindergarten through third grade, Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers takes young readers on a journey to many magnificent architectural stops around the world on nearly every continent. The dynamic and intricate two-page spreads offer with many details and a hidden architect or important figure on every page. Learn about great architecture from the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza to the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower. Young readers will travel around the globe and through time in the large format book while learning about the incredible architectural wonders that continue to amaze today. The 32-page full-color hardback book currently retails for a list price of $19.95.
Evaluation
I am absolutely impressed with the gorgeous illustrations and informative text in Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers. Each two-page spread features an intricate and detailed picture that covers most of the page. The bottom two inches includes a paragraph about the architecture, some fun facts, and some details to find in the illustration. My preschooler loves searching for the hidden figures! The final seven pages of the book contain additional information about each architectural stop, an architecture timeline, and a short glossary of less familiar words in the book.
My oldest daughter, who is seven years old and has recently begun third grade, can easily read most of the text in the book on her own with just a little help with the biggest words. My son enjoys hearing about the different buildings throughout the pages as he and I look through the book together. The epitome of the book, however, is the illustrations. The pictures are detailed and intricate. I could spend hours poring over the minutiae surrounding each architectural wonder. My favorite two-page spread is of the Empire State Building, located in my favorite city in the world, New York. Where’s the Architect? is another new favorite for my family.
Final Verdict
If you are searching for a nonfiction picture book about great architecture, look no further than Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers written by Susanne Rebscher and illustrated by Annabelle von Sperber from Prestel Publishing. The oversized 32-page book features intricate illustrations of magnificent architecture around the world on nearly every continent and throughout the centuries. Recommended for children between the ages of 5 and 8, the nonfiction picture book captures the attention of young readers while providing information about some of the great buildings of the world. My kids and I give Where’s the Architect? an enthusiastic thumbs up!
Image Credits
‘Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers’ Book Review © 2019 Heather Johnson
Front Cover of ‘Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers’ © 2019 Heather Johnson
Back Cover of ‘Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers’ © 2019 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers’ 1 © 2019 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Where’s the Architect? From Pyramids to Skyscrapers’ 2 © 2019 Heather Johnson
