Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who?: The Story Behind Some of America's Patriotic Symbols [Hardcover]

Teresa Bateman (Author), John O'Brien (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

If you have ever wondered how it is that the American flag is made up of stars and stripes or where Uncle Sam came from, you finally have a way to find the answers to these questions. In fact, this book discusses the origins of all the major American patriotic symbols that you can think of: the Great Seal, the Liberty Bell, "The Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the White House, the Capitol, the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This information-packed potpourri of trivia and important facts does indeed give the stories behind 17 American patriotic symbols as diverse as Uncle Sam, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Great Seal. The lively text moves along so merrily that readers will be surprised to discover how much material is included. Each topic is given two to four pages including one or more sophisticated, witty, black-and-white line drawings. For the most part, the information is clear and complete. The coverage of the Korean War Memorial is especially welcome as there is not much in print on it. However, explaining the Vietnam War and the Korean conflict in a few sentences proves somewhat difficult. The text throughout the book is easy to read with uncomplicated sentences and short paragraphs and plenty of white space. This appealing book will be welcomed by report writers and browsers and will be a great addition to units on American history.

Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. This upbeat volume presents 17 "patriotic symbols," an umbrella term that encompasses everything from the flag to Uncle Sam, from Mount Rushmore to the Korean War Memorial. Bateman finds plenty of interesting information to share about each symbol or site, and browsers will be entertained by the many stories of origination, construction, and history. Students researching the topics will regard this book as a lucky find: a dependable source of data and a good read, illustrated with unexpected humor. O'Brien's ink drawings will reward observant children with plenty of playful action and comical details, such as the crew of painters that troop toward the White House with buckets labeled red, blue, green, and oval. Some topics, such as the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, are illustrated with less levity, but with graphic skill, originality, and style. Never stuffy, this may hook as many browsers as researchers. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412857
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412853
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,617,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)