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The Golden Gate Bridge, beloved landmark and symbol of San Francisco, finally gets a gorgeous picture book that tells the thrilling story of how it was built!
Across a treacherous strait where deep ocean waters rip back and forth with the tides, and during the depths of the Great Depression, daring teams of engineers and builders set out to make something many thought impossible.
Begun in 1933 and officially opened on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge and its awe-inspiring and groundbreaking construction are truly a testament to the power of hope and perseverance. Told from the point of view of the lighthouse keeper’s kids, who watch in fascination as the trucks and crews arrive and steel towers coated in heavy red paint begin to rise above the tempestuous water, Golden Gate shares a thrilling visual perspective on each stage of the breathtaking project.
Young readers can look and learn as each turn of the page reveals dazzling, color-soaked artwork paired with text that blends factual details into the narrators’ keen observations. By the final spread, where fireworks explode in celebration over the mighty bridge, the tale is complete—not only of an astonishing feat of engineering but of the potential of human ingenuity to defy the odds and make the impossible possible.
EXTRAORDINARY NONFICTION BOOK FOR KIDS: Painstaking research went into the writing and illustrating of this story, making it an outstanding resource for learning about an American engineering marvel. The author’s afterword summarizes key facts and offers a powerful reminder of why the Golden Gate is beloved around the world as one of the most beautiful and inspiring bridges ever built.
GREAT GIFT: For visitors to the foggy City by the Bay and those who live close to the scenic Golden Gate, this stunning picture book makes a perfect keepsake and tribute to California’s most recognizable landmark.
FUN CALIFORNIA HISTORY: A fascinating slice of California history comes alive with detail and drama that will captivate kids of all ages!
Perfect for:
Across a treacherous strait where deep ocean waters rip back and forth with the tides, and during the depths of the Great Depression, daring teams of engineers and builders set out to make something many thought impossible.
Begun in 1933 and officially opened on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge and its awe-inspiring and groundbreaking construction are truly a testament to the power of hope and perseverance. Told from the point of view of the lighthouse keeper’s kids, who watch in fascination as the trucks and crews arrive and steel towers coated in heavy red paint begin to rise above the tempestuous water, Golden Gate shares a thrilling visual perspective on each stage of the breathtaking project.
Young readers can look and learn as each turn of the page reveals dazzling, color-soaked artwork paired with text that blends factual details into the narrators’ keen observations. By the final spread, where fireworks explode in celebration over the mighty bridge, the tale is complete—not only of an astonishing feat of engineering but of the potential of human ingenuity to defy the odds and make the impossible possible.
EXTRAORDINARY NONFICTION BOOK FOR KIDS: Painstaking research went into the writing and illustrating of this story, making it an outstanding resource for learning about an American engineering marvel. The author’s afterword summarizes key facts and offers a powerful reminder of why the Golden Gate is beloved around the world as one of the most beautiful and inspiring bridges ever built.
GREAT GIFT: For visitors to the foggy City by the Bay and those who live close to the scenic Golden Gate, this stunning picture book makes a perfect keepsake and tribute to California’s most recognizable landmark.
FUN CALIFORNIA HISTORY: A fascinating slice of California history comes alive with detail and drama that will captivate kids of all ages!
Perfect for:
- San Francisco Bay Area locals and visitors
- Fans of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Teachers and librarians looking for a nonfiction picture book that teaches history and STEM topics
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction children’s books
- Anyone who has left their heart in San Francisco
5 Reviews
4.0
Yasmeen Anis
Created 3 months agoShare
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Amy Lynn
Created 3 months agoShare
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“The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful, and the engineering principles will blow your mind! I have to admit I didn't completely grasp all the procedures and concepts used in designing and building the Golden Gate Bridge, but it's impossible to miss what a feat this was! Excellent STEM book especially for those interested in engineering principles.”
Stacie Gorkow
Created 4 months agoShare
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“I haven’t had the opportunity to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m actually okay with that because I have a pretty big fear of bridges anyway, but I would love to see it in person. This story of the building of the Golden Gate Bridge mixes a bit of fiction with a whole lot of facts. Along with detailed and gorgeous illustrations, kids will learn all about the building of one of the most beautiful bridges ever built.
Readers will watch the building of the bridge from the eyes of a brother and sister whose dad is the lighthouse keeper. Because of his job and their proximity to the building of the bridge, they were able to watch it being built right before their eyes. Construction officially began on January 5, 1933, right in the heart of the Depression. Many men came to San Francisco with hopes of being hired to build this great bridge. However, due to the complexity and danger, many men were turned away.
The danger wasn’t only due to the location (high above the ocean) but the weather was constantly a factor. Workers had to deal with fog, slick roads, wind, and high tides. Even though everyone thought it was impossible, the bridge was opened just over four years later on May 27, 1937.
This oversized book covers the excitement of the children watching the bridge being built, the hard work it took day and night to build it across a vast bay, and the architect’s desire to build a beautiful bridge. The illustrations are unique showing a close-up view of the bridge being built with a far-away overview of the bridge across the bay at that particular stage of the build.
I knew really nothing about the Golden Gate Bridge and found this story to be so interesting and liked the angle of it being told from the perspective of a family living nearby. The illustrations include a lot of detail and offer kids a perspective of what it was like to work on the bridge. Future engineers or kids who like to learn about history will enjoy this fascinating book.”
damara14
Created 4 months agoShare
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Vanessa B
Created 6 months agoShare
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“Making the impossible possible. This is more of a history artbook that will please all ages with a lot of information on how the bridge was built and how it works. When we turn the pages we can feel with the art and the format of the book how tall and impressive the bridge is. We get that feeling from it. The text has a great font and will be a great tool for libraries and classrooms.”
About Elizabeth Partridge
Elizabeth Partridge has lived near the Golden Gate Bridge all her life. Driving or walking across the strong steel bridge, suspended between sky and water, always thrills her. The author of many books, Elizabeth is a National Book Award finalist and has won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature, ALA’s Printz Honor Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the Sibert Medal. She lives in Berkeley with her three-generation family, two dogs, and the world’s shyest cat. For more information, please visit elizabethpartridge.com.
Ellen Heck
Ellen Heck is a printmaker who also makes picture books, including her debut, A is for Bee. She has lived in eight states but now calls North Carolina home. She enjoys reading children’s books, poetry, and pop science non-fiction, traveling, and spending time with her family. Learn more at ellenheck.com
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