Hardhats and High Rises

Shot on location in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this entertaining video follows the building of a new downtown high rise hotel. Beginning with the architect's blueprint rendering and model, and ending with a ribbon-cutting, a series of montages and narration provided by the friendly engineer show just what goes into the creation of a skyline. From the skeletal steel structure being covered with cement to the final paint job, kids will enjoy the abundance of dirt, noise, and heavy machinery. A creative touch is the intercutting of various stages of building with scenes of common activities in an early-childhood classroom, such as block building or playing in a sandbox. Of course, the video's highlight is sure to be the impressive implosion of the old skyscraper which had to be destroyed to make room for the new building (not surprisingly, the explosion and collapse is replayed from every imaginable angle for maximum effect). Although a bit long for younger kids, older, inquisitive children will never look at a big building again in quite the same way. Recommended. Aud: K, E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)