Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge

Ages 5 to 8

The Golden Gate Bridge, beloved landmark and symbol of San Francisco, finally gets a gorgeous picture book that tells the thrilling story of how it was built! Written by National Book Award finalist and Sibert Medal winner Elizabeth Partridge.

Across a treacherous strait where deep ocean waters rip back and forth with the tides, and during the depths of the Great Depression, daring teams of engineers and builders set out to make something many thought impossible.

Begun in 1933 and officially opened on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge and its awe-inspiring and groundbreaking construction are truly a testament to the power of hope and perseverance. Told from the point of view of the lighthouse keeper’s kids, who watch in fascination as the trucks and crews arrive and steel towers coated in heavy red paint begin to rise above the tempestuous water, Golden Gate shares a thrilling visual perspective on each stage of the breathtaking project.

Young readers can look and learn as each turn of the page reveals dazzling, color-soaked artwork paired with text that blends factual details into the narrators’ keen observations. By the final spread, where fireworks explode in celebration over the mighty bridge, the tale is complete—not only of an astonishing feat of engineering but of the potential of human ingenuity to defy the odds and make the impossible possible.

EXTRAORDINARY NONFICTION BOOK FOR KIDS: Painstaking research went into the writing and illustrating of this story, making it an outstanding resource for learning about an American engineering marvel. The author’s afterword summarizes key facts and offers a powerful reminder of why the Golden Gate is beloved around the world as one of the most beautiful and inspiring bridges ever built.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Elizabeth Partridge is the acclaimed author of many books for young and young adult readers, including Seen and Unseen, Parks for the People, and Marching for Freedom, as well as biographies of Dorothea Lange, Woody Guthrie, and John Lennon. Her books have received multiple honors, including the Robert F. Sibert Medal, National Book Award finalist, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Michael L. Printz Honor, and the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

GREAT GIFT: For visitors to the foggy City by the Bay and those who live close to the scenic Golden Gate, this stunning picture book makes a perfect keepsake and tribute to California’s most recognizable landmark.

FUN CALIFORNIA HISTORY: A fascinating slice of California history comes alive with detail and drama that will captivate kids of all ages!

Perfect for: San Francisco Bay Area locals and visitors Fans of the Golden Gate Bridge Teachers and librarians looking for a nonfiction picture book that teaches history and STEM topics Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction children’s books Anyone who has left their heart in San Francisco

About the Author

Elizabeth Partridge has lived near the Golden Gate Bridge all her life. Driving or walking across the strong steel bridge, suspended between sky and water, always thrills her. The author of many books, Elizabeth is a National Book Award finalist and has won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature, ALA’s Printz Honor Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the Sibert Medal. She lives in Berkeley with her three-generation family, two dogs, and the world’s shyest cat. For more information, please visit elizabethpartridge.com.

Ellen Heck is a printmaker who also makes picture books, including her debut, A is for Bee. She has lived in eight states but now calls North Carolina home. She enjoys reading children’s books, poetry, and pop science non-fiction, traveling, and spending time with her family. Learn more at ellenheck.com