History is not just the people on top of the Earth, but what we do below it as well. And Big Bertha: How a Massive Tunnel Boring Machine Dug a Highway Under Seattle does a fantastic job of showing us both. But especially below.
When the earthquake hit, damages were numerous, and the city had to find a way to stop the highway from collapsing again. It would take several years to find a way, but between the different sciences and global assistance, the drill Big Bertha was born and would go about building a tunnel. The journey from start to finish was filled with several setbacks, money issues and even a precarious breakdown, but eventually a tunnel was built to survive most earthquakes.
Amanda Abler gives a great story of science, architecture and history and in a way that is not dull. I mean, a tunnel? I’ve seen road construction. It’s not that great unless you’re a little (or big kid) who likes seeing trucks and such. I lost that excitement years ago. Even if I had it, I’ve sat in traffic one too many times, been awake at 3 AM from the non-stop drilling or seen too many signs for businesses saying they are open because the construction has blocked them off, not to mention seen the garbage left behind the next morning, to really get into it. But Abler knows how to let us see how history was being made, how safety was actually the priority and not just a vanity project.
And illustrator Katy Wu adds to the goodies with realistic and cartoon mixed illustrations. Colors are not muted, but not flashy. Details are everywhere and really bring things together. Sometimes they are a little busy, but that doesn’t take away from things, just means you need to take your time. And there is a section on the real events, people and places. Photographs and text now bring it all together and expand on things. While in a picture book format (read online, but available) it is not necessarily for the young readers of that genre.
