Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction

Gr 3-8--Macaulay's Cathedral (1973) and Castle (1977, both Houghton) were landmark titles for children, appealing to both those interested in history and architecture, as well as to some who found the pictures fascinating in and of themselves. Reissued with the pictures in color, they remain timeless staples for the architectural crowd. The fluid and informative texts remain basically unchanged except for some subtle clarifications and updates, with the stories of the building of the fictitious Cathedral of Chutreaux and Lord Kevin le Strange's Castle at Aberwyvern still maintaining dramatic tension even as they serve as vehicles for explaining building techniques and features. The illustrations have been extensively reworked, with cross sections replaced by dramatic three-dimensional views. The use of color is muted, employing mostly the greens, browns, grays, and blues of nature; and it is certainly effective. The older editions are enriched by viewing alongside the new ones, and vice versa. Clearly labeled diagrams; a detailed, complete, and informative glossary; and the use of full-color spreads to bring the buildings and their inhabitants or parishioners to life make these excellent additions.--Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA