HARD HAT AREA

Kids who are intrigued by construction sites and equipment will find this unusually structured book a solid hit. Focusing on ironworkers and their particular jobs and tools, the text follows Kristen, an apprentice ironworker, as she works high up on a skyscraper construction site, taking orders for needed supplies and snacks and beverages. Each spread shows a different kind of worker on the job with the addition of several numbers in yellow circles. These numbered items are defined in corresponding lists within the text blocks, explaining many of the tools, jobs, and safety requirements. Roth’s stunning collage illustrations include real denim and cork for the worker’s clothes and intriguing montages of city buildings spread out far below the workers. The final spread shows all the workers on the job and invites the reader to identify each previously described worker by his or her particular skill. An author’s note includes additional information about ironworkers and explains that all ironworker apprentices start out in a similar way. (Picture book/nonfiction. 3-8)