Cool Book: This Bridge Will Not Be Gray by Dave Eggers

This Bridge Will Not Be Gray
Dave Eggers
Illustrations by Tucker Nichols

It’s August--time for some last excursions before school starts. Heading south, families will cross our famous bridge, the only orange one in the world. If travelers wonder why, Eggers explains all in a bridge-like horizontal book filled with Nichols’s deceptively simple construction-paper collages in brilliant colors. Who knew that the Golden Gate Bridge had three architects, each contributing to its design? (One added the Art Deco style, including the lamps.) When the steel parts arrive from the East--painted anti-rust orange--building begins, but nobody’s thought about a final color. Huge striped pages show the Navy’s choice: black and yellow, while the Army favors red and white stripes. Eggers makes it clear that the inspired idea to leave this bridge orange was a collective decision gradually swelling from one voice to many. Kids and adults will love Eggers’ unique storytelling, the glowing illustrations, and the fascinating details of building San Francisco’s iconic bridge.
2015, All Ages

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

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