America the Beautiful [Hardcover]

Katharine Lee Bates (Author), Chris Gall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

An inspiring homage to a beloved anthem. From his unique perspective as the great-great-grandnephew of Katharine Lee Bates, the woman who wrote 'America the Beautiful,' Chris Gall transforms this unfaltering symbol of American strength and beauty-from 'purple mountain majesties' to gleaming 'alabaster cities'-into monumental works of art. Honoring his ancestry and profound national pride, Gall enhances these timely lyrics with historical and contemporary imagery as diverse as Sacagawea's travels with Lewis and Clark, the Tuskegee Airmen, and firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero. Musical notation and an author's note, as well as the song's words written in Bates's own hand, are also included in this remarkable book for all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-Gall illustrates Bates's verses with handsome, blocky woodcuts colored in bold, full washes. The pictures-even the one of Apollo II-are reminiscent of Grant Wood's pastorals or '30s WPA murals in their perspective and style, and, indeed, many of the topics are from an earlier era. A key to the artwork and a simplified version of the music are included. This handsome volume joins Neil Waldman's (Atheneum, 1993) with its emphasis on landscape; Wendell Minor's (Putnam, 2003) idealized illustrations of an earlier, happier time; and Lynn Sherr's (PublicAffairs, 2001) fascinating and in-depth look at the history of the song, with photographs, primary-source material, and period art. If you don't have an illustrated version, this is a lovely one, and it contains all the verses, but it could be an additional purchase unless you have a specialized need.-Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-7. The song "America the Beautiful" gets a striking treatment from illustrator Gall, who opens with an introduction to the words, which were written as a poem in 1893 by 24-year-old Bates. The words were set to several different pieces of music, until, finally, a tune, written many years earlier, became the accepted version. Just as those who hear the song feel inspired by the patriotic sentiments, children will be stirred by Gall's pictures. Using hand engraving on clay-covered board and enhancing elements such as color with a computer, he offers a series of pictures resembling woodcuts in form and WPA paintings in style. The images celebrate the history and beauty of the U.S. as they link to the lyrics. "God shed His grace on thee" is illustrated by a bird's-eye view of a snow-covered town with a church spire in a prominent position. The relatively obscure second verse offers opportunities for artwork featuring immigrants coming to America, and a picture of the Tuskegee Airmen accompanies a line about heroes. A key at the book's conclusion has postage-size reproductions of all the artwork along with brief descriptions. Gall is a distant relative of Katharine Bates; he does her work proud. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (April 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316737437
• ISBN-13: 978-0316737432
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MAGNIFICENT WORKS OF ART by BATES' NEPHEW...., April 22, 2004

By 

K. A. Stevenson "WIAPilot" (Tucson) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America the Beautiful (Hardcover)

I had pre-ordered several copies of "America the Beautiful," by well-known illustrator, Chris Gall in January 2004. Simply put, Chris Gall is one of my favorite artists of all time. His style is bold, campy, and original.

Today, I received the books and I was AMAZED.

The book, "America the Beautiful" is BEAUTIFUL. What is even more beautiful is that Chris Gall shares in the preface how a framed copy of Katharine Lee Bates' verse, written in her own hand, inspired him so much as an artist as he was growing up.

Gall bestows a MAGNIFICENT tribute to his great-aunt's stirring song. Each line of Bates' meaningful verse is paired with a beautiful illustration by Gall. These works of art depict a nation blessed with God-given gifts; a nation built on justice, optimism, hope, and a shared love of America's land.

After viewing this book, which is pristinely made with thick paper and rich colors, I intend to buy several more as gifts. There are wonderful images of the Statue of Liberty, Pike's Peak, immigrants, the Apollo II, and my very favorites - the firemen of Sept. 11th, and the WWII Tuskegee Airmen.

Because "America the Beautiful" is not just a book which is great for artists or children or to grace the coffee table (although that is where MINE is going!), it is a work of art - which magnificently stirs the patriot within us all...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris's beautiful perspective, September 28, 2005

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America the Beautiful (Hardcover)

The odd thing about this book is why it took so long to come out. Chris Gall is an illustrator and the great-great-grandnephew of Katherine Lee Bates so I wonder why he had not created these pictures ages ago.

The sixteen stunning pictures were engraved on clay-coated board which makes them very graphic rather than watercolor soft and I enjoyed the little design touches here and there, for instance a picture of some Shoshone Indians in a boat passing a very streamline looking waterfall or a small town snow scene with the buildings placed at different angles to each other.

The choice of image is also refreshing, to illustrate 'A thoroughfare for freedom beat. Across the wilderness!' has a family with their Airstream parked in the open landscape or 'Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears!' showing a window cleaner eating his lunch and sitting on one of those Art Deco eagles on the Chrysler Building. This kind of originality and warmth comes across from each picture.

The book is well produced and it occurs to me that these illustrations are so good and all the same size that they are worth framing, depending on one's favorites.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Small Children, September 11, 2005

By 

L. Huck (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America the Beautiful (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my daughter for her second birthday. We have read it so many times over the past year, that she is the only child her age that knows all four verses of this wonderful song.