Reading Architecture is a literacy project designed to help RIBA understand what architecture books we should be recommending to children, young people and teachers. During the summer term of 2021 over 650 students from 27 schools across England were asked to read and review a set of architecture books.
Read the reviews of Step Inside Homes Through History by Goldie Hawk and Sarah Gibb, the winner of the students' choice category for ages 8 to 11.
Rachel, age 11, Corbridge Middle School
- Illustration and design: 5
- Content: 4
- Overall: 5
"I really loved this book as it was easy to read and had a lot of fun and interesting pictures. And, at the same time, I was learning things!
If I ever needed to find information quickly it would be quite easy as it is separated into easy to find sections. I think it would be great for someone who doesn't like reading or struggles reading and young learners."
Lavya, age 11, Handford Hall Primary School
- Illustration and design: 5
- Content: 5
- Overall: 5
"My first impression was WOW! The front cover was eye-catching and I really loved the illustrations. The blurb really made me curious and made me want to read it straight away. The content was interesting and amazing and laid out perfectly for me."
Denis, age 11, Handford Hall Primary School
- Illustration and design: 5
- Content: 4
- Overall: 4
"I liked the pictures very much, they were useful and interesting. The content was very good and easy to find. I liked the design and layout as it was clear, and the illustration was very good - it was the best thing. There is no bad thing about this book."
Florence, age 10, St Mary's Catholic Primary School
- Illustration and design: 4
- Content: 4
- Overall: 4
"I think this book is about showing old to modern homes. Showing the inside and out is a great idea, as is the fashion and people and their homes throughout the years. I think this is great for children age 7 to 10 because 7 years olds will love the windows and the book is quite child friendly, but upper years would like to read the information."
Alex, age 11, Handford Hall Primary School
- Illustration and design: 4.5
- Content: 4
- Overall: 4.5
"At first, I didn't enjoy how the book looked, as it looked detailed, but when I opened the book, I loved it! The illustrations were much simpler, the font amazing, and there wasn't too much or too little writing. I'm not a fan of old beautiful buildings but I am more hooked now! The information was easy to find and I understood everything."
Learn more about Reading Architecture as part of RIBA's National Schools Programme.
