The Earthoid, a perfectly spherical tank located in Germantown, Maryland is 100ft (30m) tall and holds 2,000,000 US gallons (7,600m 3) of water. The name is taken from it being painted to resemble a globe of the world. [18] [19] [20] [21] A great Halloween read-aloud, good for grades 3+, with large, bright illustrations and tons to discuss... The characters are illustrated in a lifelike manner, and some are positioned as if they are looking right at us. How does that make us feel and how does that change the story? Why would the author and illustrator want to change the direction of the layout throughout the book? What do you think Bubba saw when he was by himself in the water tower and why didn���t the author let us know? Partnering with The Water Tower provides a unique opportunity to participate in leading-edge research, technology innovation, and next-gen programming. The Watertower turned heads from the moment it was published--literally as well as figuratively. That's because, to begin with, the reader must actually turn the book on its side to read it and then continue to turn it as the story progresses (or doesn't, depending on your interpretation). According to one advocate, a high school English teacher, the actual turning/handling along with the tantalizing clues to the story--is what hooks her student readers, particularly the less enthusiastic ones. The golf ball-shaped tank of the water tower at Gonzales, California is supported by three tubular legs and reaches about 125ft (38m) high. [22] [23] [24]

The roof parapet still retains much of its crenellations, and overlooking the tower entrance and spur wall there is a raised platform which was originally gained by a continuation of the stair. All in all an excellent and really quite gripping story with so much unsaid and yet clear from the clever combination of text and image. Both Crew and Woolman like to make their readers work. They understand precisely how much explanation their audience needs, and The Watertowerstrains readers' abilities to the breaking point. The technology dates to at least the 19th century, and for a long time New York City required that all buildings higher than six stories be equipped with a rooftop water tower. [5] Two companies in New York build water towers, both of which are family businesses in operation since the 19th century. [5]Bubba is described as not particularly liking the water. He only gets in the water up to his knees, splashes around a bit, and glances up towards the light "imagining." Perhaps he is wondering where Spike is hiding. As a reader, I assumed Spike had descended into the tank first. He finally calls out to Spike telling him that he is going to climb out of the tower and get dressed. Still there is no answer from Spike, and Bubba assumes Spike is somewhere beneath him in the water. When Bubba climbs out of the tank, he wraps his towel around his waist and begins searching for his clothes. He sees Spike's clothes wedged beneath the hatch but can only see his shirt flapping in the wind. He cannot find his pants. He calls to Spike, whom he assumes is down inside the tank and asks him if his pants are "down there," when all of a sudden Spike appears behind him, dripping wet. How did Spike get out of the tank before Bubba? How did Spike get behind him? Something strange and unusual is taking place here. Like Crew's masterfully bizarre Strange Objects , this story devolves in the weird, sunblasted landscape of coastal Australia. This time, however, the author falters a bit in blending the paranormal Continue reading » It's refreshing to see challenging and complex stories being told in unique ways. It would be excellent to discuss with children and very interesting to see their opinions of the book after a first reading. Much like myself, I can imagine that children might be slightly disappointed in the ending of the book. Once you delve deeper into the vocabulary and illustrations you end up discovering something full of intrigue and mystery.

The contract between him and the city makes it clear that Bonewaldesthorne's Tower ('Turrus de Benewaldestham'), through which the Water Tower is reached, was already in existence. The writing on the first book was better than in the sequel, but the art in the sequel is better than the first book. Water towers were used to supply water stops for steam locomotives on railroad lines. [ citation needed] Early steam locomotives required water stops every 7 to 10 miles (11 to 16km). In hilly regions, local topography can be substituted for structures to elevate the tanks. These tanks are often nothing more than concrete cisterns terraced into the sides of local hills or mountains, but function identically to the traditional water tower. The tops of these tanks can be landscaped or used as park space, if desired. [ citation needed] Spheres and spheroids [ edit ] Westerggaard, Barbara (August 2005), New Jersey A guide to the state, Rutgers University Press, ISBN 0-8135-3685-5

Currently using this book as part of a Year 5 'suspense and mystery' unit, with a boy-heavy class with many behavioural challenges. I can honestly say I have never seen these children respond to any lesson as enthusiastically as they did when I showed them this story.