Built by Animals: Meet the creatures who inspire our homes and cities

by Christiane Dorion

Yeji Yun (Illustrator)

New title in the internationally best-selling, and Blue Peter Book Award-winning series. 

Following on from the incredible Invented by Animals, Built by Animals introduces us to the creatures who have inspired the materials and techniques that are used by humans in the building world today.
 
Meet over 26 animals behind the most amazing building tech, humorously brought to life by Yeji Yun and wittily and expertly explained by WWF educator Christiane Dorion. This book dives into theworld of biomimicry and answers questions like:

• How can we use more solar energy to power our homes?
• How can we grow plants in the desert?
• How can we pump water to the top of very tall buildings?
• How can we clean polluted rivers?

From the bee’s honeycomb shape that strengthens structures to termites that build their nests with natural air con, these creatures did it first! And, at the end of the book, find out who wins big at the Animal Builder Awards! Will it be the prairie dog, the peacock, the beaver or the firefly?

Built by Animals explores this amazing STEM subject in a deceptively simple way, showing children that the future of architecture can be inspired by and be respectful of nature. 
 

• ISBN13: 9780711265684
• Publish Date: 5 April 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Wide Eyed Editions
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 80
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Built by Animals is an illustrated book for middle grade readers showing how human engineering problems sometimes have solutions found in nature. Due out 3rd May 2022 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 80 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a fun STE(A)M book with lots of facts about animals and how they can give us insights into engineering, architecture, transportation, materials sciences, and more. Author Dr. Christiane Dorion is an experienced educator and author. She writes clearly and well about the subject and kids will find much of the information engrossing and educational. I would've devoured this book at that age.

The art by Yeji Yun is colorful and full of small details which will fascinate young kids and which illustrate the engineering and design points well. The animal builders in the book are anthropomorphic and explain the concepts themselves to add a level of fun and whimsy to the experience. Corner banners on each two page spread show the category they come under: construction, materials, shapes, energy, and water.

The book includes a table of contents and index for convenience. There's also a short fun quiz at the end which invites readers to match awards (best digger, best weaver, best artist, best dam engineer) with the animals in the book who deserve each award. This can be used as a fun activity to facilitate discussions and further learning.

Five stars, a fine choice for public or classroom library acquisition, and for the home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.