Toys, Games and Gifts to Feed the Mind

CuriosityCafe Tidbits

Relatively Good Reads
by Jay Samec

Jay Samec is a book lover who not only reads them, but also collects them, gives books as gifts, and follows the publishing industry on a regular basis. His column focuses on books with a special family appeal.

Few things present a greater challenge than choosing an educational book for a child. The book must captivate both the child and the adult so that the experience is both productive and entertaining. David Macaulay authors this type of book. Macaulay engages the reader through his unique view of structures by combining absorbing text with delightful drawings.

He stated in an interview that he doesn’t begin to understand a building until he starts sketching it. He provides for readers a journey that follows a course of discovery. Readers travel his unfolding and winding path throughout the books: "Building Big", "The New Way Things Work" and (one of my favorites) "Pyramid". Other exciting architectural excursions include "Castle", "Cathedral", "City", "Mill", "Ships" and "Underground". In addition to his books, he assembled two learning kits: "The New Way Things Work" and "Carpentry for Children". Both have illuminating, family-oriented projects.

He has written several fiction titles including the convoluted "Black and White", the whimsical "Unbuilding" and the imaginative "Rome Antics". He even wrote a humor book entitled, "Motel of Mysteries", a comic view of a future recreation of our society as only a lover of archeology and architecture can tell it. While broadly funny in a way kids will enjoy, adults will appreciate the ironic and satiric observations.

For any child or any child-within-an-adult, Macaulay consistently delivers engaging and imaginative books. I eagerly look forward to diving into his next book. Every family bookshelf should include at least one of his titles.

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Last Updated 05/08/2007