No matter your age, once you read these books, you'll never again look at your city, or even your own house, in quite the same way you do now. Terms like Casement Windows, Wrap Around Porches, American Foursquare, and Richardsonian Romanesque will become part of your vocabulary forever. Children will enjoy the straightforward text in language they can understand, though Glenn is careful to use appropriate architectural terms and definitions and never 'writes down' to kids. Parents will want to read 'Under Every Roof' with their children, then use the field guide to explore the neighborhood together. Each of the ten biographies, starting with Thomas Jefferson an ending with I.M. Pei begins with a portrait of the architect and a quote summarizing his or her guiding principles.
Framers surrounding the portraits are amusingly characteristic of each architect's design style.
Under Every Roof' covers all types of homes, from the smallest cottage to the grandest of mansions, and everything in between, including a section on what architects are doing to help the homeless. Discover America's Favorite Architects' includes a bibliography, list of historic buildings, glossary and an index. Teachers have found Glenn's books to be such helpful resources, the books have become part of the school curriculum in districts across the country. Discover America's Favorite Architects' makes it clear that dreams can come true, if we are willing to work hard enough to overcome any and all obstacles. Suzanne Lieurance is a writer, teacher and former regional advisor for The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.