The Bridge

The Newbery Medal-winning author of It's Like This, Cat has returned with her first picture book, pleasingly reminiscent in tone of books published in an earlier era. Ben and his parents live in the country. In order for a car to reach Ben's house, it must cross a wooden bridge that seems to say ``Rattle-rattle-rattle! Here we come!'' One day, the little bridge cracks and falls, and a new one must be built. Neville explains, in near-exhaustive detail, the building of the new bridge and each and every piece of heavy equipment employed. The text is overlong for a picture book, closer to a short, illustrated novel. Yet the interest level of the story (and the age of the hero, Ben) will engage a younger audience than the text-heavy format allows. Ages 4-8. (September)