Roberto, The Insect Architect

By Nina Laden

Book Overview

Ever since he was a wee mite (a termite, that is), Roberto has wanted to be an architect. Discouraged by his wood-eating family and friends, he decides to follow his dream to the big, bug city. There he meets a slew of not-so-creepy, crawly characters who spark in him the courage to build a community for them all.

With stunning collage illustrations and witty text, the creator of the bestselling The Night I Followed the Dog, Private I. Guana, and When Pigasso Met Mootisse brings to life a funny and inspirational story that will encourage readers of any age to build their dreams.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811824659
• ISBN13: 9780811824651
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.3" x 9.9"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

Creative Book

This is a very sweet story with very unique illustrations. I am hoping it will spark the imagiination of my grandson and help him to identify and appreciate his mothers career path.

Great first book for baby architect

I found out about this book from a fellow architect who was looking for architecture related children's books for her children. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased it for another architect friend's baby shower and will continue to purchase it for other architect friends in the future, as well as for my own children when the time comes. The story is very cute, the names are clever and the illustrations are fun. The perfect book for a future architect.

Roberto, The Insect Architect is really great

My kids love this book, the story is fun and the art work is great. My wife an I both enjoy this book to and we often purchase extra copies to give as birthday gifts to other children.

My architect husband loves this book!

My husband just recently purchased this book. We both love it! I love the story line and how Roberto does not quite fit in with the other termites. He follows his dreams, and eventually, parent termites want their kids to be just like him! The illustrations in this book are also great!

A Howard Roark for the termite set

Insect architects! This is an inspired little story with theunlikely prospect of a termite who dreams of building with wood instead of eating it.... Roberto sets off for the big buggy city in search of his dream.The story is encouraging, and the wordplay witty but it's the fantastically funky collages that win you over. Laden uses all sorts of images... to create unreal insect edifaces. You'll find yourself staring at the quirky seussian architecture and chuckling at all the in-jokes.A treat for the eyes and very fun!