Books / Kids' Books / STEM / Engineering & How Things Work /

Building Homes for All: Technology for a Fair and Green Planet

Elaine Kachala
Illustrated by Catherine Chan
  • Front cover
  • Back cover 2
  • Sample content 3
  • Sample content 4
  • Sample content 5
  • Sample content 6
  • Sample content 7
  • Table of contents 8

Building Homes for All: Technology for a Fair and Green Planet

Elaine Kachala
Illustrated by Catherine Chan
$26.95
$26.95 $0.00
Final Sale. No returns or exchanges.
Oversized: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.
Overweight: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.

Digital download

Immediate access in your Kobo library

Deliver to

In stock online. Free shipping on orders over $49

Buy online, pick up at Bay & Floor

Free pick up today

Find it in store

Out of stock

Found in: Kids Reference, Science & Discovery General

Check nearby Stores

Earn 135 plum points and save more with plum Rewards. Learn more

View full details

Overview

CANADIAN9-12 YEARS96 PAGESENGLISH
Promotional Details

Others Also Bought

Previous
Next

Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 7 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["information","challenges","read"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Must read!

"Elaine Kachala does an excellent job in consolidating the issues with housing and the solutions that we already have access to-to mitigate the housing affordability crisis. Accompanied with the easy to digest language, are an array of illustrations that are both detailed and highly interesting. They really bring the book to life and are relevant to the story rather than just being there for display. If you know anyone that is interested in STEM, housing and sustainability, this book is a must read!"

— Moath4444 (5/5)

Engaging and Inspiring for Young Readers

"Elaine Kachala explains big global challenges like affordable housing and climate change in a way that’s clear and engaging for young readers. It’s informative, hopeful, and encourages kids to think about how they might help shape a better world. A great read for students, parents, and teachers."

— RobbieC1387 (5/5)

Interesting kid-friendly information

"This book breaks down the problems we're faced with today in the world with a growing population and not enough safe housing. Middle-schoolers will be engaged with the short, illustrated that take them step-by-step through various solutions. The information is clearly conveyed in a manner that provides hope and shows possibilities. Many kids are familiar with 3D printers so it's exciting to read about how these are beginning to be using in building full-size structures. By banding together our ideas and resources, we can begin making strides that will benefit people around the planet as well as reduce the negative impact that humans are having on the planet. This is a perfect for Earth Day Is Everyday teaching in classrooms as there's a lot of material that can be used in many ways for lesson plans or as kid-friendly informational reading."

— Vanzie7 (5/5)

Intriguing book about homes and technology

"This middle-grade non-fiction book explores affordable housing, a growing issue worldwide, in a reader-friendly, hopeful way. Chapter 1 thoughtfully explores the idea of what a ‘home’ means. The author says, “A home isn’t just a place to live…. It’s a haven of love, joy, comfort, safety and so much more. ” This is a great discussion, and will help to build empathy and understanding around the challenges many encounter when seeking housing, and why it’s so important to everyone to have a place to call home. The book explains different ways of building homes, and why many of our current processes are not efficient or cost-effective. It connects the housing crisis and the climate crisis, explaining the impact that the building industry has, but then it goes on to provide many wonderful and exciting solutions – from upcycling materials, helpful robots, wearable exoskeletons and so much more! The chapter on 3D printed houses is fascinating. I learned so much reading this book, and I think middle-grade readers will be fascinated by the range of technology that can now build homes. The author provides resources and ideas for readers who would like to learn more, and more helpful info is also included in the back matter. Highly recommended for schools, libraries, or readers interested in technology and construction. Thank you to the author/publisher for an advance reader copy."

— Megs S. (5/5)

Great New Book

"What and exciting book. This book has it all: Inspiration, information and hope. Elaine Kachala takes a look such an important, timely and complex problems such as lack of affordable housing, politics, and climate change and and breaks it down into bite sized manageable and understandable pieces. Not only is it informative, it's also hopeful in helping us to understand that even the most complex problems can have very creative and innovative solutions. As a young reader, I would be very encouraged and inspired to learn more and possibly even provide direction as to a future career be it in engineering, technology, environmental planning or construction. This is a must read for both young readers and parents alike."

— Lv20 (5/5)

Housing for the homeless

"Shelter is a basic need for survival. However, many people lack housing. Building Homes for All by Elaine Kachala, with illustrations by Catherine Chan, takes an in-depth look at homelessness and what can be done to tackle the problem. This middle-grade book starts off with a thought-provoking chapter on the meaning of the word “home. ” By learning who the homeless are—and they aren't all drug addicts and alcoholics—readers develop empathy for those in need. Home ownership is out of reach for many people because houses are expensive. Pricey building materials and long construction times drive up costs. However, there is some good news. Robots are automating many building processes. New climate-friendly materials are making homes more affordable. The book explores a timely topic that everyone can relate to because we all need housing. The pages are packed with enlightening information and numerous examples of robots automating building processes, companies on the cutting edge, and affordable housing projects, built and in progress. Adding reader value, the back matter includes sources, a glossary, and a list of ways kids can get involved. Chan's detailed architectural illustrations portray diverse individuals. The warm palette of earthy browns, mossy greens, smoky grays, and terra cotta compliment the emphasis on the environment, climate change, and sustainability. Sidebars and photographs further enhance the text. Kachala makes a solid case that affordable housing is needed and it can help reduce a growing global issue. The book is a refreshing read that will bring hope to all who keep turning the pages. This review is based off of the uncorrected ARC."

— The O. (5/5)

Great book about tech that matters to kids

"Building Homes For All—Technology for a Fair and Green Planet gives young readers an extraordinary opportunity to see how innovation is helping to meet two global challenges: the shortage of safe, healthy, affordable housing and the continued escalation of climate change. Readers learn about cutting-edge building design and technology being used to solve these problems. The book shows how 3D printing, using eco-friendly materials, can build housing in record time. It shows technology such as virtual reality and robotics being used not only to design and implement new construction methods and sustainably produced materials, but also to enhance and ensure the safety of construction workers whose skills remain vital in this new approach to home building. Page after page, I found myself thinking ‘no way!’ as I started reading—then ‘way to go!’ as the text, photos, and terrific illustrations showed the reality of so many seemingly improbable innovations. Packed with information that’s well balanced between text and visuals, this book will engage middle-grade readers (and older readers, too). This review is based on the uncorrected ARC."

— Cdoe (5/5)

Q&A

  • Appropriate for: Ages 9-12 Years
  • Published date: Mar 17, 2026
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 96
  • Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
  • ISBN: 9781459839564
  • Dimensions: 7.0" W x 0.438" L x 9.0" H

“This is a true STEAM offering with components devoted to scientific and engineering breakthroughs, creative green architecture and landscaping, kids’ definitions of what home means expressed through original poems. Two overarching themes resonate throughout: first, that housing is a universal right, and second, that there is hope.”

Elaine Kachala is the award-winning author of Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution. With over 20 years as a health policy writer and advisor, degrees in psychology and sociology (University of Toronto), and a master’s degree in environmental studies (York University), Elaine brings a unique perspective to STEAM topics. She hopes to write books that inspire young readers to embrace their curiosity and creativity as they learn about real-life inventors who are unafraid to dream big while thinking critically about health, social and ethical issues. Housing for health and well-being is her passion, both personally and professionally. She lives with her family in Toronto.

Catherine Chan is a Toronto-based illustrator with a previous life in project management and technology. Her work explores her relationships as an immigrant, a mother and a lifelong learner, and acts as both self-exploration and self-declaration. She is excited about telling unique and inspiring stories through her illustrations.

You May Also Like

Previous
Next

Recently Viewed