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11.26.2012

big apple books: the little red lighthouse & the great gray bridge

The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge
by Hildegarde H. Swift



Let me start by saying that I'm a little partial to this story... I look out on "The Great Gray Bridge" (otherwise known as The George Washington Bridge) every day from my living room window, and it is one impressive piece of work. I love to see its beams lit up at night, and the GW is eerily beautiful when covered with fog in the morning (Millie often thinks she's disappeared altogether!)

First published in 1942, the themes within this children's classic are still relevant today. Essentially, everyone is important. We each have a role to play; something about us that makes us special and unique. And we must work together to get things done. It was the book's popularity that saved the Little Red Lighthouse when it faced being torn down in 1951. Amazing, right? The power of words never ceases to amaze me. There's even a Little Red Lighthouse Festival every year, where fans gather for tours of the lighthouse, a reading of the book and other related activities. I look forward to sharing this story with my gals when they're a bit older... we've made several trips to the bridge and lighthouse since moving nearby, so it will be fun connecting the three together.

Sunset views of the GW Bridge from my rooftop

2 comments:

Sonja said...

I don't remember seeing a light house out there - will have to catch it next time!

Jeff Rivera said...

I agree with you , Ellen, The power of words never ceases to amaze me too. I think this book is a great story about how size doesn't matter and that even the littlest lighthouse has a very important job. Some of the language is a bit dated, but otherwise, the story is current for today. It deals with feelings of insignificance and uselessness and has been a favorite of readers young and old for generations as it tells the story of a valuable lighthouse overshadowed by a great and new bridge and, ultimately, forgotten. I highly recommend this book for everyone.



Jeff Rivera
Bestselling Author
"UM ... MOMMY I THINK I FLUSHED MY BROTHER DOWN THE TOILET"
http://amzn.to/RUltKc

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