Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 1-3. This colorful presentation traces the history of the American flag from its development during the Revolutionary War and early Federal period through the renewed enthusiasm for displaying it after September 11, 2001. One side of each double-page spread carries a few lines or paragraphs of text, facing a bordered, full-page illustration. Apart from the text, a page of notes details the stories behind some of the flags illustrated and an author' s note relates what is known about the flag and Elizabeth Betsy Ross and what is not known (who made the first American flag?). The dramatic compositions and bright, heraldic colors that characterize the illustrations give the book great visual appeal. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2003 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Thomson's (The Dragon's Son) first picture book, she unfolds a history of the American flag, with a September 11 tie-in. The narrative tends to state the obvious, e.g., "You can see the flag at schools and at post offices, in town squares, and at baseball games. You can see flags in parades on the Fourth of July." Despite the rather bland presentation, many facts will intrigue readers, especially those who were raised on the story of Betsy Ross's flag-making (an endnote disputes Ross's contributions). Thomson states that in 1776 George Washington flew a flag that paired 13 red and white stripes with a small copy of the Union Jack; when, two years into the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress decided that America should have a single flag, it supplied guidelines but no specifics for its design, leaving the configuration of stars and stripes subject to individual interpretation. While older readers may find some information elementary (e.g., "In the end the Americans won [the Revolutionary War]. The thirteen colonies became the United States of America"), they will enjoy descriptions of variant flags, many of which the artwork depicts. Dacey and Bandelin (previously teamed for Miriam's Cup: A Passover Story) favor a stirring, representational style, showing dramatic scenes of Francis Scott Key writing as bombs burst in the air outside his windows; Old Glory rippling in the wind; Olympic athletes draped in the flag; etc. The account ends with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the widespread displays of the flag in response. With its teacherly approach, this book may be chiefly institutional in its appeal. Ages 4-8. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-With an endnote that debunks the Betsy Ross story, this tribute to the "Stars and Stripes" traces the history of our current national banner and shows the changes it underwent during various times in our political past. Beginning with the pre-Revolutionary "Sons of Liberty" flag and concluding with the flags flown after 9/11, Thomson's concise yet clear explanations provide interesting background information and clarify misconceptions about Old Glory. Chronologically arranged, the text is straightforward, easy to follow, and supplemented by a page of notes that adds important details about specific flags. The full-page acrylic spreads provide appropriate backgrounds for the featured banners. For instance, when discussing the stars, stripes, and Union Jack that combined to make the first Revolutionary War standard, the painting features George Washington astride his horse watching two Colonials raising the flag near his army's camp. A later page that tells of the Continental Congress's attempts at choosing a final form for the flag is illustrated with pieces of fabric, thread, and other sewing materials poised for their assembly into the "Stars and Stripes." Each painting is filled with movement, vivid colors, and realistic details. Much simpler and for a younger audience than either Leonard Everett Fisher's Stars and Stripes: Our National Flag (Holiday, 1993; o.p.) or Dennis Brindell Fradin's The Flag of the United States (Children's, 1988; o.p.), this is a solid choice for introducing the history of both our flag and our country. Pair it with Peter Spier's classic rendition in The Star-Spangled Banner (Yearling, 1992) for a 21-gun patriotic salute.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This simply written text discusses the origins of the American flag, describes how the design has changed throughout history, and explains how pride in the flag increased after the events of September 11, 2001. The accompanying full-page color illustrations showing the flag in various historical scenarios are well rendered. A final page respectfully refutes the theory that Betsy Ross sewed the first Stars and Stripes. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
