The U.S. Constitution

April 1, 2016

K-Gr 2-This series does a crackerjack job of exploring the back stories of some of America's most beloved documents and monuments. Most kids know the Pledge of Allegiance by heart, but here they learn that originally the pledge was published in a children's magazine in order to honor Columbus Day. Similarly, most kids recognize the Statue of Liberty by sight, but here they discover how the statue's creator, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, raised the money to build it. With one concise paragraph and a few illustrations per page, these titles are ideally suited for early fluent readers. Illustrations consist of paintings and photographs, all of which enrich the text. For example, in Star-Spangled Banner, one 1873 photo shows a soldier standing in front of the threadbare flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. By focusing on the passage of time, the author draws readers' attention to the concept that the flag has been honored and appreciated throughout the years. VERDICT While not a must-purchase, this series does offer a colorful, engaging presentation.

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