(continued)

Each letter's verse ends with a question that is designed to stimulate kids' thinking about the architectural elements. "Some of the questions were pretty neat," Nic decided. "Before I saw this, I didn't know what an Obelisk was or that it could be so tall. I think it's interesting that we've got one named after our first president."

Unfamiliar regional architecture probably also explains his interest in the Widow's Walk. Before learning the origin of the term, he saw it through an 11-year-old's eyes as a "pretty darn cool" way to run around on a roof. He liked the Wupatki Ruins because they reminded him of the mazes he'd navigated in video games.

Despite these unintended associations, I think the book has sparked his interest in architecture beyond his experience.

As for my younger son...I'm afraid the concepts are over the head of kids just starting to learn the alphabet. Three-year-old Lucas didn't make it past G and was scared by the gargoyles. (But then, he's also scared by Halloween pumpkins.)

The author recommends the book for ages 4 to 8. Maybe that should be 4 to 80.

Joseph Minor is a home inspector and contractor who lives in Northern California with his sons Nicolas and Lucas and their mother, Carol Pound.

When regional architecture is unfamiliar, it sparks a special interest. Photo: Steve and Kit Rosenthal "Arches to Zigzags: An Architecture ABC" was recently published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Photo: Steve and Kit Rosenthal   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.