The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge Library Binding 1970

by Hidegarde H. Sweet

On the Manhattan bank of the Hudson River, a small lighthouse--made of steel and painted bright red--proudly protects boats with his faithful beam. One day a great expanse of gray steel, which also shines a bright light into the fog and darkness, is built over it. The little red lighthouse feels insignificant and useless in comparison but soon learns that . . . small can be mighty!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Historical Fiction, New York, Classics, Geography

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typically, books that give personalities to trains or plows or other equipment don't really excite me much. Buildings seem to be different. I loved the ‘little house’ Virginia Burton wrote about. This book about a lighthouse was really good too, I thought.

I like the thought that everything has consciousness. Obviously they don’t think or use words, but purpose gives it meaning. I love the Marie Kondo show tidying up and one of my favorite parts is when she kneels on the ground and greets the home. You can feel a space, if it's happy or not. I love the practice of when you have finished using a thing, to thank it for its service. It's communicating you are finished with it.

Well, I thought the art work was lovely for this book and I really enjoyed the personality of the little red lighthouse that I didn’t know was still under the bridge outside of NYC. I love the pictures of the fog on the river at night and the light that can shine out of the lighthouse to illuminate it. This book made me feel good.

The kids were rather bored by the book. It was too subtle and too slow for them. The niece was able to relate a little to the lighthouse, but I coaxed a 2 star out of her. The nephew gave it 2 stars also. Where were the robots, or animals or monsters? No. So, yeah, I like the book. It did not translate well for my kids into modern life, sadly.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations in black, red and blue tell the story of a lighthouse, a bridge and a boat. The illustration that shows the fog as a bending man with his woolly hand cupped around the boat is wonderful. Ideal for children who love boats and the sea.

Read on openlibrary.

[Cherisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book. My son loved it when he was young. I did it as a FaceTime read with my twin granddaughters during the Covid lockdown. Between the nostalgia and the enforced separation, the book almost had me in tears this time around. We're all looking for our purpose in this big world.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of many favorite books we discovered thanks to Reading Rainbow*. Straightening books in the back room and my eyes fell on this. A charming tale about realizing size has nothing to do with importance or usefulness. A fun book to read aloud due to repetitive words and sound effects. And best of all it is based on a real lighthouse and bridge in New York.

*A brief check showed me RR has now become digital with a Skybrary.

February 3, 2025: Read it to my grandson because he had a brief interest in lighthouses.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time, there was a picture book about a real little red lighthouse. Some time later, well after the book’s publication, when it was announced that the lighthouse would be razed, there was an outpouring of letters from children who had read the book and had grown to love the little beacon. So many letters, in fact, that the decision was reversed, and the lighthouse still stands to this day.

This, then, is the picture book that saved the lighthouse.

Swift has penned a lovely story about a very proud and useful lighthouse whose world is turned upside down when it is dwarfed by a gigantic bridge. Although the premise is simple, the story is quite memorable. The book’s text and images both explore the little tower’s very human emotions as it tries to understand itself in its changed environment. There is also room for both empathy and healing, here, and help from an unexpected source. I won’t spoil the ending here, but there it’s wonderful, heartwarming and emotionally satisfying.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1942, this tells, in a rather inventive way, the story of the little red lighthouse which still stands proud beneath the George Washington Bridge. Originally there, pre-bridge, as a guide for those sailing the Hudson River, the personified lighthouse feels obsolete with the dawn of the great Bridge but finds that it is far from redundant and still needed by the people of New York. Together, Bridge and Lighthouse are there as guides throughout the night to the boats of the water and those of the skies.
The story itself is nice and I like the idea behind this message of teamwork alongside recording a real series of moments in the history of the place but, absolutely hands-down, it is Ward's astonishing illustrations that make this such a wonderful book. They depict an age of invention, advancement and achievement in a way which reminded me of the same style used in those propaganda postsers of the Second World War.

[The Library Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any child who reads this will forever after (even when they are past 40!) be watching for the lighthouse as they drive near the George Washington Bridge in NYC.

In addition to being a wonderful story every child should experience, this book shows the power a story can have. Because of this book, the Little Red Lighthouse (official named the Jeffrey's Hook lighthouse) was restored and can be visited by children and their families. Go to www.hudsonlights.com/littlered.htm for more information. And be sure and read the book before going!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the watercolor illustrations. The prose was almost like poetry, which sweetened the reading experience. A nice message, too. I recommend!

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Red Lighthouse stood on the banks of the mighty Hudson River, guiding the boats on that massive waterway as they passed the island of Manhattan. Proud of his work, the lighthouse shone his light at night and sounded his warning bell in the fog, keeping everyone safe. When the Great Gray Bridge is constructed right next to him, our lighthouse finds himself dwarfed, and begins to feel that he has no purpose. But when a tug-boat gets in trouble in the fog, it turns out that the lights on the bridge are too high up to be of use to those on the water. The lighthouse is needed after all...

Originally published in 1942, and a classic of American children's literature ever since, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge is one of those books I somehow missed reading as a child, and have been meaning to get to as an adult for many years. I have read author Hildegarde H Swift's Newbery Honor book, Little Blacknose: The Story of a Pioneer , but not this one, even though I have lived a few blocks from the eponymous lighthouse and bridge for a number of years. Finally, prompted by the fact that a friend and I will be visiting both this coming weekend, I picked it up. How glad I am that I did. I found Swift's story poignant and her writing lovely, and I found illustrator Lynd Ward's watercolor artwork gorgeously expressive. This is definitely a book that deserves its status as a classic, and is one that I wholeheartedly recommend, to those looking for picture-books about lighthouses, about the need to feel needed, or about the utility of older, more traditional ways of doings things, even when newer ones have been invented.

[Scott L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. I first heard it read on the "Captain Kangaroo" show in the mid 1960's - and loved it so much I asked my parents to buy it for me. They did, and now I have bought it for my daughter, my nephew and my niece. And the best part is that the Little Red Lighthouse is still there, on Manhattan under the "great gray bridge" - the George Washington Bridge. A wonderfully imaginative book that I would recommend to anyone who has children to read to.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful tale is about a little lighthouse who is quite proud of the job it does, warning ships away from the rocky shore. When a great grey bridge is built, with a much stronger light, the lighthouse believes it has been replaced. But the moral of the story is that there is a place for both kinds of light and both are needed. The book is filled with many wonderful illustrations which add immensely to the enjoyment of the story. Though written in 1942, it still should appeal to children today.

[Eva Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So OK. Here's another subject of books I love: things that are things but are like people in stories. Like Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, and this one. It's about a little red lighthouse (cause that's the NAME! HA!) and the lighthouse keeps everyone safe, but one day they build a big bridge over him and he gets sad because he can't help people anymore. But just when he thinks he's ruined, guess what? They come and put his light on so he WORKS again! And they all live happily ever after!
This is an old one but it's SO good. I really believed that the lighthouse and the boats and the bridge were real. The bridge is like the lighthouse's big brother. So they should get along great.
A really really good one!!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book. My DH insisted on buying this when we had our first child - his grandfather helped build the GW Bridge and had gotten him a copy when he was a child, so he has a special attachment to this one. My daughters both like it fine, but DH is the real fan in the family. = )

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Particularly fun for children living in New York or new Jersey who regularly commute over the GW bridge.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read this until my husband introduced me to it as an adult (it was one of his childhood favorites). Now I can't look at the GW without thinking about the little red lighthouse below.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally did not tear up at the end of this book. >.>

I envision a lot of little nieces and nephews getting copies of this for birthdays/Christmas.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up strictly because of the cover. I thought the boys might enjoy it. They did and it had a really great story, of change and purpose. I researched a bit on YouTube about it because Mike had said it was still there and apparently the kids who read this book and loved it would go visit the lighthouse. Some years later they were going to tear it down and the kids who loved it petitioned it not being destroyed and now it’s a museum and states the kids who loved the book had saved it. I think that’s a pretty cool story. The boys love the story! And it might have to be on our “to-go see” list when we get back to New York City!

[Sara Mull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book on a talk show where the hosts were discussing their favorite children's books. It's a good story (and apparently true) and reinforces the truth that everyone is important.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read out loud for the 1001 Children's Books list

This is about a very real little lighthouse on the Hudson River in NY.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please tell me why this book made me cry (btw, f u Samm for having this on your Amazon wishlist and making me curious about it. I’m crying now, are you happy?!)

[Fanni Sütő · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, great illustrations, I love bridges and lighthouses so perfect for me.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift, uses personification to give the lighthouse, the bridge, and the boats a voice alongside the lighthouse keeper and bridge workers in The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. The book has a chronological plot following the days of the little red lighthouse in his experience before and after the building of the Hudson River Bridge, in the setting of New York City. First, the protagonist, the little red lighthouse feels extremely proud of his job keeping the boats safe along the Hudson river. Until the day, the Hudson River Bridge is first put to use, as it becomes complete. This causing two sets of conflict within the story, person-against-person; as well as, person-against- self as the little red lighthouse feels inadequate and unnecessary. The book finishes with a solution to the conflict and the little red lighthouse and the great grey bridge working together as they still do today.

Ward uses beautiful watercolor paintings in this edition that restores the original design of the book published in 1942. Realistic art while giving human features to the main characters in the book; the lighthouse and the bridge. Allowing the reader an opportunity to see real-life images of the Hudson River Bridge, the lighthouse, and the steam boats. The darker colors and deeper lines used in the storm scene allows the reader to sense danger on the horizon. During the storm, Ward uses personification within the painting, giving the fog a face and hands to show how, “the thick fog crept over the river and clutched the boats” (p. 36).

This book rates five out of five. I am a person who really enjoys lighthouses, for their beauty and their purpose. I also like the story Swift tells to children, that little people can do big things as she shows this little red lighthouse shining its big bright light protecting the ships that are near. Students can know that they are just as important as the big tall bridges that are near them, because each individual has a purpose and just because they are big they may not be able to do the same job. A reminder that every person is important no matter what size.

I read this book as a part of my #BookaDay Reading Challenge, inspired by Donalyn Miller. My goal is to read at least one children's literature book every weekday and share my thoughts here on my blog. Please feel free to subscribe or connect with me on social media to follow my journey through the books I read. Until next time ...

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The George Washington Bridge connecting New York (via Manhatten) to New Jersey (Fort Lee) is built in this simple story, which is told from the perspective of a little red lighthouse who is overshadowed by it. I can see why the story would appeal to natives of NYC, for whom the author personifies these landmarks, but the story wasn't as powerful to us midwesterners. Also, the narration neither gives the name of structures nor seeks to connect with their actual history. In this way, it is more whimsical and imaginary literature than educational history. That's fine, just not what I had expected.

I have to highly recommend the Voyager Books/ Reading Rainbow edition we used, even though I have't seen others. The text by itself was a 2 star in my opinion, okay but not exceptional. Yet the addition of the lovely Lynd Ward original watercolors, presented on cream in the 1940s style was compelling. The epilogue clarifies that Ward rendered the drawings in ink, and then added watercolor of only two colors - blue and red. Budding artists (and even those without talent, as myself) will find the use of negative space and color tones within the drawings captivating. In this regard, the book could be used effectively in an art class.

A wonder full book for locals, an exciting book for children traveling to NYC who can see the George Washington Bridge, a brilliant example of illustration for artists and a solid library check out for the rest of us.

[J L's Bibliomania · Rating 5 out of 5]

We regularly drive over the George Washington Bridge, and my husband has told us the story and we've looked for the lighthouse, but I only sought out The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge: Restored Editionat the prompting of 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. My kids are past the age where this would be a hit, but I wish I had taken the time to find it when they were aged 4-6 and obsessed with boats and transportation. If your child loves classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel or Little Toot, they might well like this as well.

I was charmed by the illustrations and recommend that if you read it with a child that you tell them to look for the faces on the lighthouse and boats.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels like a spin-off of Virginia Lee Burton's stories, such as The Little House and Maybelle, which I like, but I think this is not executed as well. And if you don't care for Burton's stories, you probably won't like this either.

Ages: 4 -8

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[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of the books by Virginia Lee Burton, such as Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and especially The Little House.

I picked this book because I have become a recent fan of artist Lynd Ward. This is nice book, about a very real little lighthouse in Manhattan's Washington Park, under the grand George Washington bridge. Happily, the lighthouse avoided demolition and still stands erect today, although sadly it is no longer lit.

My favorite picture is of..."A thick fog crept over the river and tried to clutch the boats one by one." The illustration is a spooky and sure to give young readers an exciting chill.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know this little children's book gem existed until I read about it as the character Steve read it to his niece and nephew and another child in a women's fiction novel (Letting Go: The Maryland Shores). Apparently it has delighted readers since the 1940s and well, it's delighted me now. I purchased it because I like lighthouses and intend to give as a gift.

The endearing message is that this little red lighthouse stands on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City beneath the George Washington Bridge. When this behemoth bridge is built, suddenly the little lighthouse feels very, very small. He comes to learn, however, his role in guiding boats through the storms is tremendously necessary. Great for kids and adults reading it to them!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love picture books based around physical landmarks that kids can see and relate to. It gives the world around us a little more 'life'.

The minimal colour illustrations are an indication of it's printing era (1942) and are warmly drawn. It does look and feel dated, but if read together I'm certain many children will still take to the story. In fact, I didn't find it a particularly 'girls' or 'boys' book, because although the setting of boats & bridges are more likely to appeal to boys, the theme is more emotional than that and will ultimately appeal to girls too.

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15697...

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I were watching a tv show where two people go to see a lighthouse right outside of New York city. The female character told her companion that there was a book written about the lighthouse and gave a title. I said to my husband, "You know I'm going to have to look that up." The next day I was on the library website, and, sure enough, it was listed there so I put in my request. It turns out it is a sweet little tale of a tiny lighthouse and the huge bridge that one day overshadowed it. The lighthouse felt that he would no longer be of any use but in the end he found that no matter if you are big or small everyone has something to offer.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about believing in yourself and the uniqueness that is every individual. This was a favorite of mine growing up. For years my dad would taunt me that The Little Red Lighthouse didn't really exist—that it was just a myth—but I believed and defended it's existence even though it was years before I would see it for myself.

This book was also so beloved that when it became known the lighthouse was to be demolished, area children protested and saved the landmark. It still stands beneath the GW, hopefully a permanent fixture.