We tend not to think about things like bridges and roads, or water treatment, and sanitation facilities unless something goes wrong, but cities can’t function without them. Healthy infrastructure means healthy citizens! To celebrate the passing of the infrastructure bill, here’s list of picture books to help young readers learn about infrastructure:
Someone Builds the Dream
by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long
Dial Books, 2021; ages 5 – 8
Underground:
Subway Systems Around the World
by Uijung Kim
Cicada Books, 2020; Ages 3 – 9
I am the Subway
by Kim Hyo-Eun, translated by Deborah Smith
Scribble US, 2021; ages 3 – 7
Secret Engineer:
How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge
by Rachel Dougherty
Roaring Brook Press, 2019; Ages 5 – 8
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Dial BFYR, 2012; Ages 6 – 8
The Great Stink:
How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem
by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Margaret K McElderry Books, 2021; Ages 4 – 8
Energy Island:
How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed Their World
by Allan Drummond
Square Fish, 2015; Ages 6 – 10
Underground
by David Macaulay
Clarion Books, 1983; Ages 10 – 12
Roadwork
by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Candlewick Press, 2011; Ages 2 – 5
The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks
by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen
Scholastic Press, 2004; Ages 4 – 8
Dreaming Up:
A Celebration of Building
by Christy Hale
Lee & Low Books, 2012; Ages 4 – 7
Building Our House
by Jonathan Bean
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013; Ages 3 – 6
Wired
by Anastasia Suen; illustrated by Paul Carrick
Charlesbridge, 2007; Ages 6 – 9
Opening the Road:
Victor Hugo Green and his Green Book*
by Keila V. Dawson; illustrated by Alleanna Harris
Beaming Books, 2021; Ages 4 – 8
I am Farmer:
Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon
by Baptiste and Miranda Paul; illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Millbrook Press, 2019; Ages 7 – 11
Billions of Bricks:
A Counting Book about Building
by Kurt Cyrus
Henry Holt & Co, 2016; Ages 4 – 7
Builders and Breakers
by Steve Light
Candlewick, 2018; Ages 3 – 7
The Secret Subway
by Shana Corey; illustrated by Red Nose Studio
Schwartz & Wade, 2016; Ages 4 – 8
When Jackie Saved Grand Central:
The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy’s Fight for an American Icon
by Natasha Wing; illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Clarion Books, 2017; Ages 6 – 9
Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper
by Anastasia Suen; illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke
Charlesbridge, 2021; Ages 3 – 7
*Social infrastructure. Start an interesting discussion with your students or children about different types of infrastructure and why they’re necessary.
