The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge

World Read Aloud Day is February 1, 2023. What story will you be sharing? I will be reading this book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by H. Swift.

I have a soft spot for this story. Growing up in Bergen County, NJ, the weekends of my youth often included a car ride to the Bronx to visit my grandparents. That ride meant going of the George Washington Bridge.

That bridge, now commonly referred to as the GWB, is the Great Gray Bridge in Hildegarde’s story. Many times I would strain my neck to look for the little red lighthouse under the New York City side of the bridge.

Yes, there really is a little red lighthouse!

See this photo. My dad took this photo. I have it to this day. It is one of many photos I have found since going through boxes in the basement in the 14 years since our family’s avid photographer has passed away.

This image, this book, this real lighthouse, this is classic. Hildegarde’s story has a timeless message. As a parent, teacher, grandparent, child care provider, you will recognize the theme.

And, I so enjoy reading books that can be brought to life by actually visiting the locations. That is the fun of wandering through literature. I’ll share more such stories, just give me the time and space to do so.

Look at your bookshelves, visit the public library, hold a book, turn the pages, read on your device.

Read. Read aloud. Share stories.

Which story brings a pleasant memory to mind? Which story do you enjoy reading aloud?

Yes, that is me in one of the photos. I’m holding the photo taken by my dad, Louis Blecher. I’m holding a newspaper article about the real bridge and yes, I am holding a copy of the book. The other photo shows a replica of The Little Red Lighthouse. I saw it at the Bronx Botanical Garden’s recent Winter Train Show.

Little Red Lighthouse, Bronx Botanical Garden.

Hope holding the book, the photo and the newspaper article.