Big Bertha

How a Massive Tunnel Boring Machine Dug a Highway under Seattle

Illustrated by Katy Wu
Look inside
This incredible story about Bertha, the massive tunnel boring machine that successfully constructed the longest and widest road tunnel in the contiguous United States, under the city of Seattle, brought to life in vibrant and engaging illustrations, will appeal to kids ages 7-10 fascinated with big machines and how they work.

In 2013, construction crews raced to replace a crumbling elevated highway along Seattle’s waterfront with a double-decker tunnel running almost two miles under the city. This is the story of Bertha, the mammoth and complex tunnel boring machine that simultaneously dug and built the tunnel, and Deputy Project Manager Greg Hauser and his dedicated crew.

    Kids interested in engineering and how machines function will love learning about the tunnel boring machine, how it worked, and how Bertha's crew solved problems that arose along the way to ultimately construct an amazing, earthquake-safe highway under the city. 

    In addition to the narrative story the book includes additional information about Bertha and this fascinating engineering feat, including:
  • Facts about Bertha and the tunnel
  • How Bertha simultaneously dug and built a tunnel 
  • Engineering background about the tunnel’s construction
AMANDA ABLER grew up in New Hampshire where she developed a love of snow, being on the water, and maple syrup. She studied biology in college and continues to love all things related to science. She enjoys writing nonfiction because of the many interesting things she gets to learn and the new people she gets to meet. Amanda lives in Seattle with her family and their small, ferocious dog, Bear. She is also the author of The Spirit of Springer and Galloping Gertie.  Find out more on her website: AmandaAbler.com

KATY WU has illustrated a number of children's picture books, including A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything and Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code. She lives in Portland, Oregon. You can find out more about her and her work at KatyCWWu.tumblr.com.
"Big Bertha’s story is sure to spark imaginations and discussions about what machines and engineers are capable of creating and doing. This fun and compelling story is a highly recommended read."
-Readers' Favorite<strong data-stringify-type="bold">
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

This incredible story about Bertha, the massive tunnel boring machine that successfully constructed the longest and widest road tunnel in the contiguous United States, under the city of Seattle, brought to life in vibrant and engaging illustrations, will appeal to kids ages 7-10 fascinated with big machines and how they work.

In 2013, construction crews raced to replace a crumbling elevated highway along Seattle’s waterfront with a double-decker tunnel running almost two miles under the city. This is the story of Bertha, the mammoth and complex tunnel boring machine that simultaneously dug and built the tunnel, and Deputy Project Manager Greg Hauser and his dedicated crew.

    Kids interested in engineering and how machines function will love learning about the tunnel boring machine, how it worked, and how Bertha's crew solved problems that arose along the way to ultimately construct an amazing, earthquake-safe highway under the city. 

    In addition to the narrative story the book includes additional information about Bertha and this fascinating engineering feat, including:
  • Facts about Bertha and the tunnel
  • How Bertha simultaneously dug and built a tunnel 
  • Engineering background about the tunnel’s construction

Author

AMANDA ABLER grew up in New Hampshire where she developed a love of snow, being on the water, and maple syrup. She studied biology in college and continues to love all things related to science. She enjoys writing nonfiction because of the many interesting things she gets to learn and the new people she gets to meet. Amanda lives in Seattle with her family and their small, ferocious dog, Bear. She is also the author of The Spirit of Springer and Galloping Gertie.  Find out more on her website: AmandaAbler.com

KATY WU has illustrated a number of children's picture books, including A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything and Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code. She lives in Portland, Oregon. You can find out more about her and her work at KatyCWWu.tumblr.com.

Praise

"Big Bertha’s story is sure to spark imaginations and discussions about what machines and engineers are capable of creating and doing. This fun and compelling story is a highly recommended read."
-Readers' Favorite<strong data-stringify-type="bold">

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Join us this month and beyond to celebrate the cultures and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Browse a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators that we are sure your students will love. Find our collections of titles here: Elementary

Read more

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more