Under Every Roof: A Kid's Style and Field Guide to the Architecture of American Houses

"Glenn′s comprehensive introduction to American domestic architecture will help children see the houses around them for what they are. For junior architects and kids curious about house design, Glenn′s text should become a standard resource. . . " — Booklist

". . . will prove useful for tomorrow′s architects and builders (or even for historically minded adult home buyers of today). Under Every Roof introduces children to serious study and concern about the preservation of America′s built environment. Most readers, even grown–ups, will be able to recognize building types found in their own hometown and take pride in mastering the argot of architectural description and criticism. With some effort, such crusty categorical terms as ′Jefferson Classicism (or Roman Revival)′ and ′Richardsonian Romanesque (or Vernacular)′ can be tamed and worked into your everyday vocabulary. Joe Stites′s drawings keep up the pace in this lively handbook." — The Washington Post

". . . an in–depth, lively introduction to American architecture. . . will motivate readers to become ′house watchers.′ Joe Stites′s cartoonish illustrations add humor to the text and encourage even the most artistically shy to try recording architectural sightings." — The Times–Picayune, New Orleans

"Patricia Brown Glenn has coupled the basic concept of a style guide with an extended discussion of the factors which affect the appearance of a building, using Joe Stites′s cleverly executed drawings. Aiming to reach children still in elementary school, Glenn does not, however, ′talk down′ to her readers. Thus, she provides a text that speaks to both the child and the parent, while the expressive illustrations should readily engage the curiosity of children and charm those adults who elect to investigate this ′book for kids.′" — Historic Kansas City Foundation Gazette

Why do houses look the way they do? Have you ever wondered why A–frames are popular in snowy regions? Or why wraparound porches and large windows are prevalent in warm climates? Why do some houses hug the landscape while others are tall and narrow with very steep roofs?

Can you imagine a house that looks like an elephant or a shoe? Can you send away for a house from a mail–order catalog? What does a flounder house look like?

What about the house you live in? Why was it built that way? What style is it? In Under Every Roof, Patricia Brown Glenn answers all of these questions and many, many more. She makes explaining architectural history, its styles and terms, informative for both you and your child. Over 170 engaging and often hilarious watercolor illustrations vividly bring everything to life.

First, you′ll explore the many influences on house design—from location, climate, and available materials to personal taste, economics, and efficient energy use. You′ll find out how the adobe block house, first built in the 1500s, helped people keep cool in the hot, dry, climates of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Did you know that people have even built houses out of sod? They did—in central Nebraska around one hundred and fifty years ago. You′ll see houses constructed of everything from California redwood to New England shake shingles to Pennsylvania fieldstone to stainless steel and even glass.

Under Every Roof also gives you a style guide to help you and your child easily identify different types of houses. Starting with Colonial Style (1600–1820), this captivating guide takes you through Revival Styles (1820–1920) to the Modernistic Style of the early to mid–twentieth century. Colorful illustrations point out different elements of a house, including roof types and materials, floor plan shapes, brick patterns, wall sidings, window types, porches, and much more.

This delightful resource features over 60 houses from 30 states and the District of Columbia that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You′ll get a list of all of the houses used as examples in the book so that you can visit any of your favorites that are open to the public. A special Field Guide even allows your child to look at the houses in your neighborhood and determine their style.

Under Every Roof is sure to create a lifelong appreciation of the fascinating world of architecture for your child.

PATRICIA BROWN GLENN is an art and architectural historian specializing in the field of historic preservation. She has taught art history at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and currently consults with architects and educators about historic preservation, in addition to lecturing and writing art criticism for local magazines. Under Every Roof is her first book, although she has developed and published educational materials for both the Landmarks Commission of Kansas City, Missouri, and Historic Kansas City Foundation where she designed and edited a historic journal. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband and two children and enjoys coaching youth sports and horseback riding.

About the illustrator: JOE STITES has been doodling and drawing since his childhood school days. Nothing has ever been too serious for his quick pen and witty imagination. Today, at home in Kansas City, Joe freelances illustrations for greeting cards, children′s books, toy manufacturers, magazines, and advertising campaigns all over the United States. He is an old car enthusiast and tools around town in a 1979 Volkswagen "Bug."