Built to Last

Gr 5 Up--Three of Macaulay's classic construction books, Castle, Cathedral, and Mosque, are combined in one volume, with a wealth of new material added. Rather than merely colorizing the original lines of the first two, the artist created all new illustrations and reworked most of the text for consistency and accuracy. Felt-tipped markers and colored pencils offer striking new views in Castle and Cathedral, matching the depth, detail, and clarity of the earlier versions without the extensive crosshatching used in the original black-and-white drawings. The content of some pictures has changed, frequently adding to the human stories that are told along with the construction. The architectural complexities of the church come through in both versions of Castle, for example, but the new one subtly adds the emotional element of a funeral in progress in the background. Other changes add key steps not covered previously, such as roofing the crypt in Cathedral. Some written passages are expanded and others are more concise, depending on the topic. Some steps, such as the window-making in Cathedral, are placed earlier or later within the narrative. While the first two titles are fully revised works, Mosque remains mostly unchanged, beyond some minor text editing; with a few exceptions, such as the addition of towels for the bathing men, the illustrations are identical. Though most libraries won't want to discard their copies of Cathedral and Castle, the new color artwork and updated content give this three-books-in-one volume high value and strong appeal.--Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"No mere colorization of the black-and-white originals of the first two books [Castle and Cathedral](thank goodness!), the all-new, often breathtaking images have been drawn by hand and then digitally colored to harmonize, beautifully, with the look of Mosque."—Kirkus, starred review

"Hold onto your old copies; but add this new version, too. All have much to offer, and comparison is fascinating: illustration, bookmaking, and communication continue to evolve."—The Horn Book, starred review
"Though most libraries won't want to discard their copies of Cathedral and Castle, the new color artwork and updated content give this three-books-in-one volume high value and strong appeal."—School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for The Way We Work

"To his many fans, David Macaulay is nothing less than America's Explainer-in-Chief"—The Providence Journal

"Humor thus occasionally leavens the information, which, though often complex and technical, is clearly and succinctly presented in double-page spreads, accompanied by an illuminating array of illustrations (including diagrams and cross-sections), often full of visual metaphors and striking angles. Nonfiction (reference books, in particular) rarely seems to get the respect it deserves, but Macaulay's latest ambitious, encyclopedic work commands it."—The Horn Book, starred review

." . . the accuracy, detail and depth of information make this an essential addition to most collections."—Kirkus Reviews

"The wonder that is David Macaulay is at it again....The work of this Caldecott medal winner and recipient of the McArthur grant is always a must-have in any library."—VOYA (5Q4P), highlighted review

Praise for Mosque

"Macaulay offers an unusual, inspiring perspective into Islamic society that's removed from the charged headlines, and as in all his work, he conveys a contagious awe and wonder at the design and engineering feats that societies have accomplished." —Booklist, starred review