We've now read every children's book about lighthouses that I found in our library. We also have lighthouse coffee table books, toys, and an excellent series of lighthouse videos put together by PBS.
A has pretended that he is a lighthouse, and built lighthouses out of blocks. We've visited four lighthouses so far, and he wants to travel around the country to visit others. Last year we had a lighthouse-themed birthday party. (That was challenging- it's not easy to find lighthouse decorations in California.)
There are a lot of benefits to learning about lighthouses. A (and I) have learned a great deal about the history of navigation, optics, architecture, and geography.
I'll mention two of our favorite lighthouse books. First published in 1942, "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" by Hildegarde Swift and Lynd Ward is about a lighthouse on the Hudson River in New York City. In the beginning of the story, the lighthouse is very proud of itself, but later worries that it is small and useless after the George Washington bridge is built next to it. The author and illustrator do a wonderful job of bringing the lighthouse, bridge and boats to life, and they show us that even small things can be important.
We also still enjoy the Lighthouse Keeper books by David and Rhonda Armitage. A British series, these stories are about the adventures of lighthouse keeper Mr. Grinling and his wife and cat. Mr. Grinling is an appealing character because he gets into all sorts of trouble (he accidently locked the cat in the lighthouse; he fell asleep when he needed to turn on the lighthouse, etc.) and you'll enjoy reading about how he and his wife resolve his problems.
Thankfully my son now has other interests (he's moved onto towers and skyscrapers), but I suspect that he will always love lighthouses. Here is a photo I took of Point Pinos lighthouse in Pacific Grove. It's a wonderful lighthouse to visit with children because it is still operating, and you can take a tour inside it.
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