Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts

Iggy Peck, Architect, dreams of building skyscrapers and bridges. From his infancy he builds fabulous structures out of dirty diapers, pancakes and chalk (not at the same time). Then Iggy enters the second grade, his teacher says,

"'We do not talk of buildings in here!...

Gothic or Romanesque, I couldn't care less

about buildings - ancient or new.

She said in her lecture about architecture

that it had no place in grade two.

...You will not build in here. Is that perfectly clear?"

Iggy was devastated, his dreams shattered and crushed. "With no chance to build, his interest was killed." Maybe something will happen on the class field trip to make Miss Greer understand not only the importance of architecture, but also the importance of a child's dreams and aspirations.

The illustrations in this book are clever and unique. The writing at times seems a little forced. However, the message of this book stands out. All children should have the chance to dream about being whatever they want. No teacher, parent or peer should do anything to destroy those dreams.

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