Bridges Are to Cross

by Philemon Sturges, Giles Laroche (illustrator)

Children are invited to feast their eyes on bridges from around the world that carried llamas loaded with firewood, let people dance over lazy rivers, and some that were for defending castles. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Geography, History, School, Art

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 1998

About the author

Philemon Fowler Sturges III was an architect and author based in Rhode Island. He trained at Princeton University. He wrote children's books from 1995 until his death in 2005.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young reader's survey of the bridges of the world, from the famous Golden Gate Bridge (pictured on the cover) to the Segovia Aqueduct, built in the first century CE, Philemon Sturges' Bridges Are to Cross presents an amazing variety of structures. Here is the rope suspension bridge - both new and old - built across the Apurímac River of Peru; and here is the famous Brooklyn Bridge, built along the same principles, though made of wire and stone. The graceful simplicity of the wooden Engetsu Bridge, in Japan's Ritsurin Koen (Park), contrasts nicely with the ornate splendor of France's Château de Chenonheau, which is both palace and bridge.

There isn't a lot of text here - every two-page spread includes a few sentences about the bridge under discussion - making this an ideal choice for early readers, and younger children with a limited attention span. The cut-paper illustrations by Giles Laroche are engaging, and reminded me of some of David Wisniewski's work. All in all, a good choice for young readers with an interest in technology and construction. I'm not sure they'll get too much insight into how these bridges were made, but they'll certainly find a great place to start, in terms of bridges to investigate.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

These paper cutout illustrations are amazing. I enjoyed learning about history through the lens of bridges around the world.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short book we loved it and learned bunches.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 4 stars for the incredible illustrations, which are all made of layers of cut paper, beautifully detailed. The book's title suggested that the book would be about the various uses of bridges, but it also was about the various ways that bridges could be built. I liked the variety and the fact that some of the bridges were in other countries. However, I would have liked to have seen the water in the aqueduct in Segovia, as I don't think, from the picture, that it would be clear to kids how an aqueduct carried water. It was the only "bridge" that I wouldn't actually call a bridge, and wouldn't have included in the book. I would have included a pontoon bridge, though. Still, this is the best book on bridges for kids that I've read.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live just about a 5 minute drive from the bridge on the book’s cover, the Golden Gate Bridge, and in an area with many bridges. I also love learning about different places, so this book was appealing from the cover on.

I really loved this book, its illustrations and information. But, I do think it’s important that readers/potential buyers know what they are getting.

The author of this has his master’s degree in architecture and the illustrator has studied art.

What’s important to know is that the gorgeous cut paper illustrations are art, informative but artsy. Luckily, the Golden Gate Bridge was the first real bridge in the book, a bridge I know well, and I could immediately tell that art was triumphing over architecture. The pictures of all the bridges, including the many real bridges, are approximations of what they look like. I had no problem with that, once I realized they’d all be like that. The book is still non-fiction, but the art is pure art and not meant to be photographic.

There’s a relatively small amount of information about the various bridges, but what’s there is interesting. All different types of bridges are covered. The bridge on the first page is kind of cute; the back page tried for a touch of whimsy and meaningfulness I found a bit irritating and could have done without, but I’m sure some readers will love it.

Overall, I thought the illustrations were wonderful and the information about various types of bridges was fascinating.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting model text for a class book. Students could choose any topic (like bridges) that exist in different forms around the world. The pages identify the bridge with a picture and some factual information, and then follow that with a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) about the kind of bridge or something unique to that particular bridge. The main text finds a pattern to the order--purposes of the bridges--which can be an interesting exercise, too, to have students figure out why the author put the bridges in the order he did.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Bridges are to Cross, Philemon Sturges explores the various types of bridges, from the Ponte Di Rialto to the Conocheague Aqueduct to the well-known Brooklyn Bridge. The illustrations especially bring the constructions to life, except for the picture of the Segovia Aqueduct, which was even confusing to me. I didn't use that example in my lesson plan with the focus skill of summarizing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our library's copy has worn out! It was loved too much. Teachers studying bridges and architectural structures adore this book for their class lessons. It's written for both a younger audience (Some bridges carry speeding trains across wide fjords/Some carry llamas loaded with firewood across deep canyons) and an older audience that can enjoy the details like where the bridge is, when it was built, what kind of bridge it is and more info that appears on each page in smaller print. But what I especially love about this book is the illustrations! Cut paper relief pictures show the beauty of towns and cities, oceans and mountains and the bridges that get people from here to there. Both the author and the illustrator live in New England, according to the jacket flap. Illustrator Giles Laroche even does workshops at schools...
http://www.gileslaroche.com/index.html

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book because I was compiling a group of books that would be good to use in conjunction with a fun unit study on how things are built and what makes them sturdy and beautiful. Of course, most Americans will be drawn to the iconic Golden Gate bridge on the cover, but the continued pictures of the designs from very complicated to the rope suspension bridge in Peru make this interesting. The art work is amazing with the layered paper design that makes the illustrations seem 3-D. I also searched the internet for actual photos of these bridges so that the kids can see that they are real and being used.

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting nonfiction book for sure, but again I'm not sure it was appropriate for the age group I was asked to read it for. There are lots of facts on each page, and it's very text-heavy. Doesn't make for great read-aloud material in a storytime setting. Still, 3/5 stars. I learned some interesting things myself!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique picture book highlighting the significance, uses, and architectural feats of bridges across the globe. Could be a great gift for a bridge-lover or traveler for any age as it would serve as an interesting coffee table book.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces elementary school children to types of bridges - what they look like and their purpose. The pictures are nice with multimedia artwork.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars only because the artwork is stunning. Book itself is incredibly dry and didn’t hold mine or my kids’ attention for long.

[fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

great illustrations

i wish they talked about the purpose of the bridges more as in how they work to achieve their purpose

[Kelly Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bridges are to Cross is talking about diffret types of bridges and how they are made. He talks about how they are used in life. The can be colorful, made by interesting materials and are crossed by waters.

Activity: Large Group -building bridges

While the students are buiklding bridges with the blocks, incorporate pictures, tonka trucks, yawn, boats, submarines, toilet tussie paper and let the children use their imagination to make it more fun and creative through play.

[Romelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is captivating about this book is the artwork, which is done with intricately cut paper. This picture book was filed under the picture book section of my library. The text is uniformly formatted as follows:
- Purpose of the bridge
- name of bridge, its location, type of bridge, year built
- interesting fact

This is a nonfiction picture book full of facts and amazing illustrations about bridges from all parts of the world.

[Paige Lofton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but it wasn't exactly fantastic. The that the author designed the book was good and I liked how detailed the pictures of the bridges were. However, I didn't like how there wasn't much description. There wasn't a bunch of information over the bridges but the information that was there wasn't too bad, it was just scarce.

[Nicole Jacob]

This would be a great book for about Kindergarten to about 2nd grade to read. It tells you of all the different major bridges around the world. But the pictures are drawn they are not real picture but they were still done very well. And this book is a super easy read for kids of they were struggling with reading.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful pictures of bridges. the text is simple and clean, except for the very end, which i thought was sappy.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun story with history trivia about different bridges. Awesome pictures and brief enough with enough plot to keep early elementary or even preschool kids engaged.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story wasn't incredible, but the pictures of the bridges were amazing.

[Cws]

BR-Stu

[Lily Nagel]

"Bridges are to Cross" by Philemon Sturges is a nonfiction picture book. Each page is about a different bridge from different places in the world. This book does a great job giving real information in a fun way for children. It has a very realistic picture of each bridge and a where the bridge is located, and also facts about the bridge. I enjoyed reading this children's book a lot, and I'm sure kids will too! I think this book would be best in a first or second grade classroom. I think students can learn a lot from this book, and teachers could do a lot fun activities with this book as well!