Description:
First published in 1942, this well-loved story about a Manhattan lighthouse who's feeling overshadowed by his new "big brother" (the George Washington bridge) has been rereleased in its original format, along with a plastic night-light that pictures the famous landmark. As the bright-red lighthouse watches the gigantic gray bridge go up overhead--equipped with its own fog-penetrating lights, no less!--the spirited little guy starts to feel pretty inadequate. But with some gentle reassurance, the wise steel bridge convinces him that we all have a purpose we can take pride in. ("I call to the airplanes," cried the bridge. "I flash to the ships of the air. But you are still master of the river. Quick, let your light shine again. Each to his own place, little brother!") The timeless book owes its popularity to both Hildegarde H. Swift (who won a Newbery Honor for writing 1933's The Railroad to Freedom) and Caldecott-winning artist Lynd Ward, whose original watercolors appear here for the first time in print. And although the 3-1/2-inch-tall night-light included might not be any great shakes, the gift box provides a nice package for passing on this sweet story to another generation. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
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