Book Review: We Build Our Homes by Laura Knowles, Carla Madden

We Build Our Homes is a nonfiction book for young readers written by Laura Knowles and illustrated by Carla Madden. It’s not only humans who can build incredible structures: around the world, mammals, birds, and insects can be found building incredible things. From biggest beaver dams to tiniest caddisfly cases, this beautifully illustrated picture book explores each one and uncovers the reasons why they build. Each spread looks at a different animal, told as though from their viewpoint. The amazing animal architects featured include bower birds and weaver birds, gophers and beavers, termites, honey bees, and many more.

We Build Our Homes has a lovely balance between beautifully realistic artwork and text that is informative, accessable, and rhythmic. I liked learning a few new things about how particular animals build and care for their homes, and why they make some of the choices they do. I also like that creatures in the book are grouped by animal type; birds, insects, then larger animals. The birds and other builders include both well known home builders- such as bower birds and bees, but some creatures that are not always the first to come to mind. I also like that they included the world map and people in the book. I really think that the combination of lyrical text in understandable and accessible phrasing and delightful illustrations will capture the attention of many young readers, and the adults that might be sharing it with them. For those will a shorter attention span, or to break it up so the experience lasts longer, reading the book in sections (birds, insects, then reptiles and mammals) might make sense.