The Day We Built the Bridge

Age range 4 to 8 

There are moments in history that connect us and define a country. In our hearts and minds, some moments rely on us to hold onto a dream, face tough challenges, and put in a great deal of effort. 

Big dreams can take generations. It can also take six million hand-driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel. The Day We Built the Bridge celebrates our connection with one another, and declares that despite the greatest of challenges, together we can make history.

Teachers' notes available here

'Samantha Tidy and Fiona Burrows take the creation of a national icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and strip it back to a streamlined, succinct story of a need, an idea in 1890, and ultimately, in 1932, a reality. From the bridge's conception to completion (taking in a war, a depression, and years of labour), the story is one of hopes, dreams, stamina, and celebration... a social history with a warm, human side.' — Anica Boulanger-Mashberg, Books+Publishing