Celebrate Flag Day
On June 14th our nation honors one of its traditional symbols with the celebration of Flag Day. From the first national flag, chosen on June 14, 1777, to its current incarnation with 13 stripes and 50 stars, Americans have long treasured Old Glory, the American Flag. From Stars and Stripes to the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance, we honor our flag and all it stands for on this national holiday. The following books will introduce readers to the Flag Day holiday, the origins and symbolism of the American Flag, and the pledge we make to the flag and our country. For more information visit www.americanflags.org. And check out our special feature on Betsy Ross.
The following sites have additional interesting information but they also have pop-up ads, so if you don't like those don't pay them a visit.
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Flag.html#flags
http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/flagday
Reviews
Mrs. Millie Goes to Philly!
Judy Cox
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
The exuberant children in Mrs. Millie’s kindergarten class anticipate her silly word substitutions. They know “Cow are you?” means “How are you?” As they prepare to leave for their field trip, she reminds them to put on name badgers (badges) before boarding the platypus (school bus). The students delight in correcting her mistakes. Most of Mrs. Millie’s silly substitutions feature animals in easily deciphered phrases. Mathieu has incorporated these images into the illustrations creating slapstick humor. George Washington is sitting on a bear instead of a chair; a large bull hangs near a picture of the liberty bell; and the stop at Betsy Ross’s house becomes Betsy Ross as a mouse. The students are mystified, however, when Mrs. Millie promises “Men from Mars” for later in the trip. Turns out that means ice cream bars. The patriotic Mrs. Millie wears red and white Capri pants and a blue jacket covered in stars as she conducts her personalized tour of Philadelphia. She and her class of six multiracial students stand out in bright colors against mostly white backgrounds. The historical monuments are all altered to complement the whimsy of the text. A lively book which may appeal to young listeners, although some of the word play is a bit strained. 2008, Marshall Cavendish, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5372-7
ISBN: 0-7614-5372-5
My Flag Book
Sarah L. Thomson
Simple questions reveal basic facts about the American flag. “What is this?” is the question on the first page showing a young boy holding a US flag. The answer, in bold type, is “The American Flag!” The colors of the flag are demonstrated with a blue balloon, red cherries, and a white (it looks bluish-gray to my eyes) coffee cup. While the photographs are bright and straightforward, I think that they are rather uninspired. The question that prompts the reader to search for the stars on the flag is depicted by three children holding up a fairly large American flag (their eyes just peek over the top); but, the stars are immediately visible, no “searching” necessary. Intended for the very youngest child, this board book could serve as a beginning reader’s introduction to the parts of the flag. The second to last photograph shows a school class saying the Pledge of Allegiance but the text simply says “…it stands for our whole country, the United States of America.” This title would not be a first purchase but it would be a useful addition to pre-school, and primary libraries where more titles about the flag are needed. This title is part of the “Smithsonian” series. 2007, Collins/HarperCollins, $5.99, Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06089957-8
Our American Flag
Mary Firestone
Illustrated by Matthew Skeens
Young readers may think the only flag the U.S. has ever had is the one that flies high today. However, they will discover otherwise in this well-written and organized book that outlines details of American flag designs from the late 1770s to the present. A friendly format utilizes the power of storytelling to dole out information. Mary Pickersgill, one of America's earliest flag sewers, spins the chronological tale in a manner using clear, concise ideas. Six to eight sentences are contained in the chapter spreads. This setup allows early readers to handle the material with little or no help. Sidebars containing extra facts are scattered throughout. Some of the material includes why countries have flags, a common flag for the U.S., the first official flag as well as the second official flag, flag dimensions and designs, and flag etiquette. Interesting illustrations may add to or detract from the text. Readers will agree that the pictures are unique but personal preference will dictate whether readers like them. However, text material is interesting enough that readers will keep reading regardless of how they feel about the illustrations. Excellent follow-up material includes facts, a glossary, an index, and extra resources. This book, one in the "American Symbols" series, can enhance social studies and history lessons. 2006, Picture Window Books, $23.95. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-2212-2
ISBN: 1-4048-2212-7
Our National Anthem
Norman Pearl
Illustrated by Matthew Skeens
Francis Scott Key, author of the U.S. National Anthem, is the perfect narrator for this book. He gives an account of how he came to be on a ship that witnessed the battle at Fort McHenry in 1814. His song describes the fight, and readers learn how he wrote the song as a poem with four verses. The book is informative and includes vocabulary words such as anthem, pride, banner, freedom, and united. All words to the song are included as Key wrote them, and following the text the anthem and its music are printed as we sing it today. Student readers will be able to identify the song they may hear before ballgames, at school, and at other special events. Add this book from the "American Symbols" series to classes of students in grades K through 2 and they will gain information that will be expanded upon in later grades. 2006, Picture Window Books, $23.95. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-2215-3
ISBN: 1-4048-2215-1
The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
Ryan Jacobson
Illustrated by Cynthia Martin
This graphic history book tells the dramatic and fascinating story of how Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem, “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” and how it became America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Basic facts are presented in rectangular boxes. Dialogue boxes allow for further information with actual quotes presented in balloons with yellow backgrounds. The quote sources and the pages on which they appear are listed after the CIP information. Readers will learn about the War of 1812, why Key happened to be on the British ship the day before the British attacked Fort McHenry, and the flag sewn by Mary Pickersgill, which was his inspiration. The words, but not the tune for “The Star-Spangled Banner” are included. The full-color illustrations complement the text and will help readers understand the importance of this symbol of liberty. It is evident that much thought has gone into the design of this “Graphic Library” series. Short sentences with controlled vocabulary in combination with the format make this appropriate for older reluctant readers as well as younger readers just beyond the beginning reader stage. Two pages more of information are found at the back of the book. Back matter includes a glossary; a list of several books for the reader who wants to learn more about the flag and the song; a code to connect with “FactHound,” which connects the reader with appropriate Internet sites; an index; and a bibliography. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-5493-1
ISBN: 0-7368-5493-2
You’re a Grand Old Flag
George M. Cohan
Illustrations by Warren Kimble
Kids will certainly enjoy the song, but adults may better appreciate the art created by Kimble to accompany the words. The American flag in some form is shown in every illustration. The endpapers display an unusual flag with twelve stars and just seven stripes painted on what appeared to be weathered wood. Unfortunately, the variations may be confusing to young readers. The book does not open with a preface or introduction to say this is what the flag first looked like, or this is what it looks like today and why. Then all of the variations shown could be understood as just that--different ways of incorporating the flag’s elements into art. However, a parent or teacher can lay this groundwork. The picture of the eagle with a vest made up of flag elements is quite creative and the text “You’re a high flying flag” is the perfect accompaniment. Kids may also find the scarecrow decked out a bit like Uncle Sam amusing and the same for the snowman. They may or may not get the joke about the rooster which accompanies the text “Where there’s never a boast or brag.” One that might be a bit perplexing shows an old schoolhouse with flags flying in opposite directions. The concluding pages provide background about the song, the music and some basic flag facts. The flag facts might have been more helpful as a preface. For those who love American folk art, this book will be enjoyable. As a children’s book, however, it will require adult assistance for real understanding. 2007, Walker & Company, Ages 5 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9575-5
ISBN: 0-8027-9575-7
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9576-2
ISBN: 0-8027-9576-5
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance
Terry Allan Hicks
The dictionary describes a pledge as a promise or agreement to which one binds oneself to do--a person who so promises, the dictionary states. The Pledge of Allegiance as described in this title, a part of the “Symbols of America” series, is a simple yet powerful way to express loyalty to our country. Starting with school children but also for young and old alike, the pledge is used to proudly profess our loyalty to our country and is repeated at meetings, sports events, and many organizations throughout the United States. This book notes that this simple statement of loyalty first started with the nation’s school children. Francis Bellamy, a magazine editor for The Youth’s Companion, a popular children’s magazine in the early 1900s, was chosen to write the Pledge of Allegiance. Though a small number of changes were made over the years to clarify a few things, the basic promise remains the same. This could easily be a boring account; however, the author keeps it alive and interesting for even the youngest of school children. A useful book for teachers. 2007, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, $28.50. Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Joan Elste (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-2136-8
ISBN: 0-7614-2136-X
The Pledge of Allegiance
Norman Pearl
Illustrated by Matthew Skeens
Norman Pearl creates yet another enticing introduction to an important American symbol with this work about the Pledge of Allegiance. Francis Bellamy, the author of the pledge, narrates the story of its conception. Bellamy, who worked for a magazine called The Youth’s Companion, wrote the pledge so that students around the country would have something to recite on the 400th anniversary of Columbus sailing to America. The pledge, which originally did not include the phrases “under God” and “the flag of the United States of America,” quickly became a regular part of the school day. Pearl breaks down what several of the terms in the pledge mean, including justice, allegiance, and republic. The posture one should have when saying the pledge is covered as well. The amount of facial expression Matthew Skeens achieves with his edgy, geometric style is surprising. The cross-section of Americans represented is indicative of the more accurate histories that authors and illustrators are creating now. Like the rest of the books in the “American Symbols” series, the author has included a glossary, facts, and a list of additional resources. This book is perfect for beginner historians. 2007, Picture Window, $23.93. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Kristy Lyn Sutorius (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-2644-1
ISBN: 978-1-4048-2647-2
ISBN: 1-4048-2644-0
ISBN: 1-4048-2647-5
To view Flag Day features from a previous year, click here
Or check out our special feature on Betsy Ross.
Updated 05/28/08
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