Under Every Roof: A Kid's Style and Field Guide to the Architecture of American Houses [Hardcover]

Patricia Brown Glenn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

"Glenn's comprehensive introduction to American domestic architecture will help children see the houses around them for what they are. For junior architects and kids curious about house design, Glenn's text should become a standard resource. . . " — Booklist

". . . will prove useful for tomorrow's architects and builders (or even for historically minded adult home buyers of today). Under Every Roof introduces children to serious study and concern about the preservation of America's built environment. Most readers, even grown-ups, will be able to recognize building types found in their own hometown and take pride in mastering the argot of architectural description and criticism. With some effort, such crusty categorical terms as 'Jefferson Classicism (or Roman Revival)' and 'Richardsonian Romanesque (or Vernacular)' can be tamed and worked into your everyday vocabulary. Joe Stites's drawings keep up the pace in this lively handbook." — The Washington Post

". . . an in-depth, lively introduction to American architecture. . . will motivate readers to become 'house watchers.' Joe Stites's cartoonish illustrations add humor to the text and encourage even the most artistically shy to try recording architectural sightings." — The Times-Picayune, New Orleans

"Patricia Brown Glenn has coupled the basic concept of a style guide with an extended discussion of the factors which affect the appearance of a building, using Joe Stites's cleverly executed drawings. Aiming to reach children still in elementary school, Glenn does not, however, 'talk down' to her readers. Thus, she provides a text that speaks to both the child and the parent, while the expressive illustrations should readily engage the curiosity of children and charm those adults who elect to investigate this 'book for kids.'" — Historic Kansas City Foundation Gazette

Why do houses look the way they do? Have you ever wondered why A-frames are popular in snowy regions? Or why wraparound porches and large windows are prevalent in warm climates? Why do some houses hug the landscape while others are tall and narrow with very steep roofs?

Can you imagine a house that looks like an elephant or a shoe? Can you send away for a house from a mail-order catalog? What does a flounder house look like?

What about the house you live in? Why was it built that way? What style is it? In Under Every Roof, Patricia Brown Glenn answers all of these questions and many, many more. She makes explaining architectural history, its styles and terms, informative for both you and your child. Over 170 engaging and often hilarious watercolor illustrations vividly bring everything to life.

First, you'll explore the many influences on house design—from location, climate, and available materials to personal taste, economics, and efficient energy use. You'll find out how the adobe block house, first built in the 1500s, helped people keep cool in the hot, dry, climates of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Did you know that people have even built houses out of sod? They did—in central Nebraska around one hundred and fifty years ago. You'll see houses constructed of everything from California redwood to New England shake shingles to Pennsylvania fieldstone to stainless steel and even glass.

Under Every Roof also gives you a style guide to help you and your child easily identify different types of houses. Starting with Colonial Style (1600-1820), this captivating guide takes you through Revival Styles (1820-1920) to the Modernistic Style of the early to mid-twentieth century. Colorful illustrations point out different elements of a house, including roof types and materials, floor plan shapes, brick patterns, wall sidings, window types, porches, and much more.

This delightful resource features over 60 houses from 30 states and the District of Columbia that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You'll get a list of all of the houses used as examples in the book so that you can visit any of your favorites that are open to the public. A special Field Guide even allows your child to look at the houses in your neighborhood and determine their style.

Under Every Roof is sure to create a lifelong appreciation of the fascinating world of architecture for your child.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-This overview of American houses provides a cursory look at how soil, environment, economics, available materials, and personal taste have shaped regional styles. The second half of the book focuses on the architectural elements, with each style generally accorded a single page and one or two illustrations. The presentation concludes with suggestions for field exercises for readers to conduct in their own communities. Glenn's task is noble, but her execution falls flat. A history of architectural styles will generally appeal to youngsters who already have at least some interest in architecture and construction. Unfortunately, those students won't find this book very enlightening; those without background knowledge won't learn much either. Stites's cartoon illustrations are distracting and, in some cases, confusing as they parody true architectural renderings. Occasionally, characters are drawn specifically to offer witty and inane remarks about the buildings or their uses. The yellow and purple print used for headings is difficult to read and the variety of type styles and sizes for subheadings and captions is dizzying. Libraries will be better served by Diane Maddex's Architects Make Zigzags (Preservation, 1986).
Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Glenn's comprehensive introduction to American domestic architecture will help children see the houses around them for what they are. Leading off is a long, chatty essay in which Glenn considers a wide range of historical and practical elements influencing why houses look the way they do. Next comes a basic style guide identifying and describing more than 30 different styles of domestic architecture. The third part is a short field guide that teaches children how to look at the houses in their own neighborhood and determine their style; finally, there is a listing of the historic status, location, architect, and accessibility to the public of the more than 70 houses surveyed in the book. Throughout are colorful, cartoon-style renderings of all the houses discussed, with appropriate features labeled, as well as numerous amusing details and asides (a young Frank Lloyd Wright hogging the building blocks). A bibliography is included, but the book lacks a glossary and an index. For junior architects and kids curious about house design, Glenn's text should become a standard resource to be used after Isadore Seltzer's simpler introduction, The House I Live In: At Home in America (1992). Annie Ayres --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471144282
• ISBN-13: 978-0471144281
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,650,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Architectural Guide for Children, April 11, 2003

By 

Marlene Baily (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Every Roof: A Kid's Style and Field Guide to the Architecture of American Houses (Hardcover)

I learned more about architecture than I ever imagined I would. And the thing is, I was really intimidated by the topic. Glenn has a way of writing that is easy to digest and remember. I read it with my son who is in 4th grade and I think we both really looked forward to the time we invested in this new subject. I understand she has written a second book, "Discover America's Favorite Architects," which I plan to purchase and read with my son . These books are to BUY not to take out of the library because they become constant companions! With summer approaching, I suggest you get out and treat yourself to adventures in architecture!!!