Reaching Across the Sky: A Celebration of Bridges

In this visually crisp nonfiction picture book, Hale (Copycat) examines bridges not only as feats of engineering but as instruments of human connection. “Bridges bring two sides together,” early text declares, taking a reflective tone that unfolds into an expansive meditation on how physical spans enable accessibility, community, opportunity, and travel. More than 100 examples spotlight bridges across varying landscapes globally, acknowledging nature’s earliest models—fallen trees and lines of stones—while examining how the structures embody collaboration, ingenuity, and a sense of place. And while all the included bridges evoke the grace of problem-solving, certain structures can be appreciated for the way they elevate utility into art: a Chinese bridge with soaring wings, a Vietnamese pedestrian span with giant hand-shaped supports, a German arch designed to form a perfect circle when reflected in water. As the text weaves together universal themes (“Bridges save time and make life easier”) and concrete facts, collage artwork gives palpable dimensionality to vignettes and full-bleed spreads, and striking geometries create a mood evocative of classic WPA posters, prompting readers to see bridges as agents of possibility. Extensive back matter provides more background on bridge-building. Ages 5–10. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (May)