Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction

by David Macaulay (Author)

Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

This richly illustrated book shows the intricate step-by-step process of an imaginary cathedral's growth.

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Paperback
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School Library Journal

Gr 3-8--Macaulay's Cathedral (1973) and Castle (1977, both Houghton) were landmark titles for children, appealing to both those interested in history and architecture, as well as to some who found the pictures fascinating in and of themselves. Reissued with the pictures in color, they remain timeless staples for the architectural crowd. The fluid and informative texts remain basically unchanged except for some subtle clarifications and updates, with the stories of the building of the fictitious Cathedral of Chutreaux and Lord Kevin le Strange's Castle at Aberwyvern still maintaining dramatic tension even as they serve as vehicles for explaining building techniques and features. The illustrations have been extensively reworked, with cross sections replaced by dramatic three-dimensional views. The use of color is muted, employing mostly the greens, browns, grays, and blues of nature; and it is certainly effective. The older editions are enriched by viewing alongside the new ones, and vice versa. Clearly labeled diagrams; a detailed, complete, and informative glossary; and the use of full-color spreads to bring the buildings and their inhabitants or parishioners to life make these excellent additions.--Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"This marvelous book recreates the building of a French Gothic cathedral from the hewing down of half a forest to the placement of the last sheet of lead on the spire. Macaulay uses voluminous knowledge and pen-and-ink sketches accompanied by a brief clear narrative." Time Magazine
David Macaulay

David Macaulay received his bachelor of architecture degree from Rhode Island School of Design. In January 1973, Macaulay went to France to work on the first of his twenty-five books, Cathedral. He then constructed a colonial Roman town (City, 1974), erected monuments to the Pharaohs (Pyramid, 1975), dissected the maze of subterranean systems below and essential to every major city (Underground, 1976), built a medieval fortress (Castle, 1977), and dismantled the Empire State Building (Unbuilding, 1980). Macaulay is perhaps best known for The Way Things Work (1988). It was followed by Black and White (1990) for which he won the 1991 Caldecott Medal. A revised edition of The Way Things Work was published in 1998 followed by Building Big, Mosque, and The Way We Work (2008).

Sheila Keenan is an established author of fiction and nonfiction, including Greetings from the 50 States; Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People; O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words; and Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters: A Book of World Mythology. Her work Dogs of War is a graphic novel of historical fiction based on the role of dogs in the military.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780395316689
Lexile Measure
1120
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
October 26, 1981
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF025070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Europe
JNF051010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science
JNF006020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | Drawing
JNF005000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Architecture
JNF051120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | How Things Work/Are Made
JNF025100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Medieval
Library of Congress categories
Cathedrals
Architecture, Gothic

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