Bridges

Joan Weller is head librarian at the West Branch of Ottawa Public
Library, and the children’s literature reviewer for the Ottawa
Citizen.

Budding engineers aged 8 to 12 will enjoy this book, and teachers will
cheer its hands-on approach to learning about some of the world’s most
beautiful bridges.

A female engineer introduces the book’s approach to learning about
all types of bridges, including covered, truss, and arch bridges. We
learn about the work of designing and building bridges, which involves
both engineers and architects, as the structures are described.
Appealing colored illustrations appear alongside the text. Paralleling
the information in each chapter are instructions for children to build
model bridges from found materials; thus, the book can be both read and
used as a guide to creating and understanding structures.

The author and the other professional contributors have created a book
that will develop children’s appreciation of bridges and encourage
both boys and girls to become interested in the professions of
architecture and engineering. This book, complete with a glossary and an
index, will be a valuable addition to libraries. Highly recommended.