At play with architecture

Children can learn about architects Charles and Henry Greene and the century-old Arts and Crafts movement through this book, which is part history, part biography, part architecture and part activity book.

Architecture might seem like a dry subject for kids (though you should never underestimate the appeal of Lincoln logs), but the engaging text, photos, illustrations and fun activities make this book appealing. Among the projects are how to create a miniature fishpond, craft an Arts and Crafts-style tile and design a miniature stained-glass window.

The book should be of particular interest to local children, who can visit famous Greene & Greene homes like Pasadena’s Gamble House to check out what they’ve learned about in actual brick-and-mortar. Or, in this case, river rock and shingles.