Skyscraper

October 15, 2018
Follow along as machines construct a skyscraper, from the ground all the way up, up, up!In her punchy trademark one-verb-per-page style, Hurley starts off with a demolition followed by the numerous steps of building an enormous new skyscraper. Watch the excavator "dig" the foundation, the flatbed truck "haul" the beams for a crane to "raise," and more, all the way through to the finishing touches of windows and paving. Near the last page, a change from landscape to portrait orientation finally treats readers to a complete view of the towering finished product. Occasionally, scale is difficult to ascertain in the illustrations, making it hard to perceive the building's upward progression, though changing seasons nicely underscore that completing a project this large is a lengthy process. On each page, a new construction vehicle lumbers in, ranging from the familiar (bulldozer) to the lesser known (pile driver). The closing glossary identifying the equipment and its function will help readers connect the verbs to the machines' tasks. The flat, digitally rendered construction vehicles, depicted in comparatively bright primary colors, stand out distinctively against the matte, mostly gray background, though the imposing vehicles feel more static than dynamic.The big machines may initially draw readers, but kids will leave with a solid foundation about the immensity of large-scale construction. (Informational picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1- Skyscraper tells the story of how an empty lot in the city is transformed into a beautiful tall building. As in Hurley's other books, this one uses minimal prose and illustrations show readers the steps needed to construct these giants. With its simple digital images, calming colors, and delightful details, there is plenty for every young construction lover to pore over. This book includes a picture glossary in the back, identifying the construction vehicles by name and defining their purpose. VERDICT With a great format for lap sharing, this book is a recommended purchase for any primary collection.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2018
Preschool-G Hurley's book is as sleek and modern as its subject, with minimal words, sparse but emphatic illustrations, and colors that reflect building materials (lots of variations of grays, with some reds on each page to brighten the scene). The end pages, peppered with construction barriers, set the scene, while the title page offers the last complete image of the building that is then demolished on the following pages. On each double-page spread, one word describes the action, while an illustration demonstrates each machine doing its specialized job. Crush goes the demolition excavator on the first spread, knocking down bricks with its clawed arm. Skyscraper proclaims a spread near the end, which needs to be rotated vertically for viewers to appreciate the full effect of this new, tall building. The concepts are simple and singularly focused, though back matter names each machine pictured and the job it performs. Pair with Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (2011) for another visit to these powerful machines, this time in a differing role.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)