Bridges: A Nonfiction Picture Book About Bridges Around the World

by Marc Majewski

Explore bridges around the world—and how they unite us—in this gorgeously illustrated nonfiction picture book

Bridges can be high or low, long or short, straight or curvy. Some are designed to blend in, while others stand out. But each one tells a a reminder of our history, a testament to ingenuity and engineering, an invitation to imagine the possibilities of the future. Literally and symbolically, bridges connect us—to new places, new cultures, and new people.

With poetic text and sweeping illustrations, Marc Majewski delivers a unique, accessible look at bridges all around the from San Francisco’s incredible Golden Gate to the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe to England’s Tower Bridge and Japan’s Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and many in between. Both informational and thought-provoking, Bridges shows how these awe-inspiring structures unite the manmade and natural worlds, and how they bring humanity together.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Stem, Art, Childrens, Geography

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2023

Reviews

[Babs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrated young readers book on interesting bridges around the world. The author included a paragraph about each bridge at the end. Easily spent an hour researching for more information, photographs, and precise locations.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!

I absolutely adored this book! It was definitely a different way to look at bridges - high, low, long, short (I now have a new Bucket List item - El Marco Bridge between Spain & Portugal), straight, curvy, stand out, blend in, suspended, submerged (this illustration was most interesting!), stand firm, swing, bridges open up, bridges rotate, link countries, link continents, tell stories, mark history, remember, inspire, all over the world bridges CONNECT!

For each type of bridge, there is the heading, name of the bridge, country / continent it is located, 1-2 sentences about the bridge, and a 2-page bold, colorful illustration that showcases the bridge.

At the end of the book is more information about each bridge mentioned earlier in the book.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really excellent. I learned so much about bridges around the world. The main text is pretty simple (bridges are high, bridges are low) but there's so much more that you can go into so it's really great for storytime or classroom. I especially love how the back matter gave information about the bridges and listed them with their name and what descriptor was given them (ex. bridges are high). Otherwise, I wouldn't remember which is which.

Favorite bridge: bridges blend in [Umshiang double-decker root bridge in India]. It's made out of living roots and grows and strengthens year after year. It takes between 15 and 45 years to create, and can last more than 500 years!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book - all about bridges. It showcases tall bridges and low bridges; long bridges and short bridges; old bridges and new bridges. It also shows different types of bridges - like suspension - and different designs such as one made out of plants. There is a list at the back of the book that tells you a little bit more about each bridge and also where it is located.
Be sure to have some building materials on hand so you can create your own bridges!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic is the word for this title. Using acrylics on paper Marc Majewski illustrates twenty three bridges in existence in the World. Beautiful paintings. With very little text in a poetic form one sees that bridges bring countries, continents, nature, and people together. Inspiring title.
There are two appended pages which give a paragraph about each of these unique bridges.

[Eigo Ehon Navi · Rating 4 out of 5]

著者マーク・マジュースキは、詩的な文章と包括的なイラストで、サンフランシスコの素晴らしいゴールデン ゲートから、ザンビアとジンバブエを結ぶビクトリア フォールズ ブリッジ、イギリスのタワー ブリッジ、日本の明石海峡大橋まで、世界中の橋をユニークでわかりやすい視点で紹介します。

建築物としての美的な価値を持つ世界中の優れたデザインや建築技術の結晶である橋は自然界と人々の生活を結びつけ、経済発展や文化的交流を促進してきました。有名な橋や歴史的な橋は、各国々で観光名所となり人々の関心を惹きつけます。

3歳の息子は橋が真ん中で上に開くイギリスの『Tower Bridge』が印象に残ったようです。年間800回も開いて大きな船を通すそうです。すごいですよね。

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good first look at bridges, but not a lot of information is given. Even the backmatter is pretty sparse. If you have a bridge lover, need a bridge unit picture book, or, just like pretty illustrations - this is a great bridge book with illustrations of bridges from all over the world.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love bridges so much :) my inner child is healed.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A celebration of intriguing bridges from around the world.

Themes: Bridges, Opposites, Around the World
Age range: All ages

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction-ish...talks about different bridges all over the world. But feels like a picture book with short sentences and beautiful illustrations.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars I loved everything a bout this book. Interesting, well illustrated, and I made me do google searches to see the real life bridges. This makes my short list well done!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and direct interesting information

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous picture book of bridges around the world. Beautiful paintings and terrific global examples.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love bridges so was pleasantly surprised to see this book and I had to read it right away. Of course, I enjoyed it and I want to visit all these bridges!