CONCRETE: From the Ground Up, written by Larissa Theule and illustrated by Steve Light. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"In 1757, Smeaton began building a new Eddystone 
lighthouse using granite and concrete. In doing so, 
he reintroduced concrete to the world. Because of 
Smeaton, concrete began to change the landscape 
of planet Earth forever. 

Later, Smeaton's lighthouse had to be moved because the ground under it was no longer stable, but the lighthouse itself still stands, as sturdy as ever."

Concrete? Who knew it could be the subject of an extraordinary book for young readers? I had read about it; and found myself intrigued. Rightfully so, it seems. It is a book that I have read twice, and also pored slowly over the brilliant accompanying illustrations.

A clear description of what concrete is, and is not, sets the tone for what follows. Told chronologically beginning in Turkey around 9600 BCE, the author recounts the story of the composite material we call concrete. The Romans were first to use it as an important building material. It was strong and long-lasting. They cleverly added volcanic ash to an already established mixture to make it much stronger than it had been. 

When the Roman Empire collapsed, the knowledge that had allowed for the building of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and numerous amazing aqueducts was suddenly lost. It would take 1,000 years before a British engineer named John Smeaton showed the world how to build using the strength of concrete. Something that would harden underwater in order to build lighthouses and bridges was in great demand by then. 

Steve Light's ink and watercolor artwork provides a restrained, yet humorous, look that is specific and meaningful to the conversational and accessible text. Word balloons add further information on many of the book's pages. This is superb illustrated nonfiction ... engaging, informative, and clever. There is much to learn here, and in the best way possible.