The Big Book of Civil Engineering for Curious Kids

56 pages packed with information about

• How cities developed around the world
• The people who make cities their home
• Architecture and culture
• How urban planners organize a city and its services
• The role of City Hall
• Systems for water, waste, and energy
• And innovations for an eco-friendly urban future

In the spirit of David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work, I Love My City is a treasure trove of information for middle-grade readers who want to know the how and why of cities. Why did cities start appearing in the first place, or become what we know today? How do urban planners know where to place fire stations, schools, and parks? What’s a water tower, and how does it fill the pipes of thousands of people? How about roads and highways, communications and energy, water treatment and waste? The answers to these questions and more can be found in this richly illustrated, global guide to everything urban.

Today, 55% of the global population is urban, and that number is only growing. In I Love My City, readers explore the history, geography, demography, technology, infrastructure, and government of cities, with fascinating facts about specific urban centres around the world. A particular focus on ecology, green energy, and environmental planning moves readers forward to consider what sustainable development might look like in the future as well. This nonfiction STEM title, ideal for civics and social studies units, includes a table of contents, a glossary, and a list of resources for further research. Written by children’s author France Desmarais and municipal administrator Richard Adam, with lively full-color illustrations from Yves Dumont, I Love My City is a captivating resource for the library, classroom, or home.

France Desmarais has a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in art studies from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). She started out working in the field of museology before discovering the magical world of children’s literature. In the early 2000s, France joined the Communication-Jeunesse association, which she led as general manager from 2013 to 2019. Since then, France has discovered new parts of the book world: publishing and writing. She is an honorary member of Communication-Jeunesse.

France Desmarais' profile page

With a bachelor’s degree in urban studies, a master’s degree in architecture, and another in public administration, Richard Adam has led a career mainly in municipal administration. His positions during thirty years with the City of Montreal have included leadership positions in the Department of Culture and Library services, and he has directed many construction, renovation, and expansion projects.

Richard Adam's profile page

Yves Dumont was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. He spent his childhood there daydreaming and especially drawing, never imagining that he could make a career out of it. Yves graduated from the School of Graphic Research in Brussels in 1999. He moved to Montreal, Quebec, in 2008 pursue his art. A full-time illustrator, Yves has now illustrated more than forty books for children.

Yves Dumont's profile page

Nicholas Aumais' profile page

Praise for I Love My City

Fall 2023 CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens Selection

2024 Green Earth Book Award Long List Selection

49th Shelf “Most Anticipated: Our Spring 2023 Books for Young Readers Preview” Feature

2023 The Children’s Book Council “March: Hot Off the Press” Feature

“This comprehensive and invitingly designed book beckons readers to explore the phenomenon of the modern city in a wide range of societies throughout the world….detailed digital illustrations bring the topics to life, moving seamlessly between colorful spreads….An excellent addition to nonfiction collections.”—School Library Journal

“This engaging tome introduces middle-grade readers to various aspects of cities….The book takes a global view, citing examples from all over the world and from different times in history….This visual treat will be useful for research projects and should also catch the attention of browsers.”—Booklist

“Almost 70% of us will live in a city by 2050, so our urban past, present, and future are topics of interest. Good questions are posed in this book translated from French, beginning with where and when cities were first constructed…”—Kirkus Reviews

“I Love My City will prompt deeper learning by encouraging kids to think globally, explore on foot, and participate actively in shaping their city.”—Quill & Quire

“[A] hands down winner…. Get your hands on this edition of I Love My City now. Your “curious kids” will thank you. Highly Recommended”—CM Magazine

“To inspire a conversation with young readers about the role cities can play in curbing climate change, the authors focus on sustainability, renewable energy, and improved waste management. Yves Dumont’s Busytown-esque illustrations help visual learners get the picture….city-curious kids will learn a lot.”—Montreal Review of Books

“A fun and interesting resource for budding engineers and users of cities anywhere.”—The International Educator

“This book is a fantastic resource for readers who want to learn more about what is involved in developing a city.”—YA Books Central

“I Love My City…contains anything you ever wanted to know about cities and how they operate…. It’s comprehensive and general so that readers in any part of the world can gain more understanding about the places where large segments of the population live and work…. Yves Dumont’s illustrations add colour and interest…”—Storytime with Stephanie

“I Love My City will be a useful teaching tool and readable book of non-fiction for young readers every day of the year.”—CanLit for LittleCanadians

“The design is inviting, the information reliable and relevant, the organization top-notch, and the timeline for the life of cities quite a remarkable history…. This will be very useful in classrooms studying urban planning and how cities work, and in all nonfiction collections.”—Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“I loved the illustrations, which included real places around the world and people from all ages and races. I Love My City is a fascinating book about cities.”—Jill’s Book Blog