O, Say Can You See?: America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words [Hardcover]

Sheila Keenan (Author), Ann Boyajian (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Oh Say Can You See

This picture book celebrates and explains America's symbols, landmarks, and important words in lively brief text and bright, humorous illustrations.

There are stars-and-stripes T-shirts. There are Statue of Liberty pencil sharpeners. There's an eagle on our money and Uncle Sam Halloween costumes. Symbols are everywhere...but where do they come from? What do they mean? How does something become a symbol?
This celebration of twenty of America's important places, interesting objects, and inspiring words is for the youngest Americans. Each symbol is decribed on a two-page spread that is decorated with fun, bright pastels. Plymouth Rock, the White House, Ellis Island, Mount Rushmore, the flag, the eagle, Uncle Sam, the national anthem, and

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5–From Independence Hall to Uncle Sam, this colorful book presents a mostly lighthearted look at familiar symbols of the United States, describing places, objects, treatises, and American holidays. Most of the subjects are given double-page treatments. Featuring soft edges and textured shading, the pastel and colored-pencil illustrations highlight details presented in the narrative. For example, a man is shown chiseling souvenir pieces from Plymouth Rock while his companion catches the bits in her apron. Asides help move the text along, as when a "Ding-dong THUNK!!" is heard when the Liberty Bell is rung with an off-key sound. Cool factoids are the rule here as well (e.g., on Mount Rushmore, Washington's nose is 20 feet long). The section on the Pledge of Allegiance mentions the "Under God" controversy. Myths are dispelled: "There is no proof that George Washington asked Betsy Ross…to sew the first [flag]." While most descriptions are lengthy and contain enough detail for reports, the holidays are dismissed in single paragraphs. On the final page, the World Trade Center is described as a national symbol, because remembering "…lets us turn an act of hate into a symbol of hope." The list for further reading is current, with most titles written after 2000. More in-depth and upbeat than Delno C. and Jean M. West's Uncle Sam and Old Glory (Atheneum, 2000), Keenan's title is a fine choice for libraries.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. Keenan recounts the history of 9 patriotic U.S. holidays and 19 symbolic places, objects, and inspiring phrases. Ranging from Plymouth Rock and the bald eagle to the Pledge of Allegiance and Veteran's Day, Keenan offers basic information and fascinating trivia: who knew, for example, that the original Uncle Sam was a meat packer from New York who supplied the government with food during the War of 1812? Boyajian's attractive, pastel-and-colored pencil artwork appears on every page, providing clarification for the text and humor when appropriate. Most topics are covered in one double-page spread, but more space is devoted to complex symbols such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty, the American flag, and the Declaration of Independence. This roundup of Americana is a natural choice for primary-school civics units and students of English as a Second Language; it belongs in every school and public library. A glossary and a bibliography, and note on symbolism of 9/11 are appended. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 043942450X
• ISBN-13: 978-0439424509
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book about American History, October 18, 2006

By 

Teacher Mom "Stephanie" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: O, Say Can You See?: America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words (Hardcover)

My daughter is in 1st grade and absolutely LOVED this book. It is a non-fiction account of many of the important documents (Declaration of Independence, etc.), monuments (Washington, etc.), and events of the early days of United States. It gives plenty of information (there were 3 whole pages on the D of I) that could be useful as a resource for a school history project. The writing is factual, but my daughter, who is 7, was able to read it all and was enthralled by it. The illustrations are also wonderful. After checking it out 3 times from her school library, she is now putting this book on her wish-list for Christmas!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine survey of American historic symbols, April 12, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: O, Say Can You See?: America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words (Hardcover)

The many symbols of American liberty are part of our culture but rarely receive clear explanation for youngsters under one title, so choose Sheila Keenan's O Say Can You See? A fine survey of American historic symbols is provided, from an explanation and history of why the Liberty Bell is cracked to early designs for the US flag and why the current design was chosen. Color drawings throughout enhance /sgeuka Keenan's informative survey.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Informative, WONDEFUL!, April 3, 2009

By 

E. Gorden (IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: O, Say Can You See?: America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words (Hardcover)

I love this book! This book is chalked full of 50 symbols/landmarks of America. Each great symbol/landmark is covered in a two page spread filled with witty informative text and beautiful colored penciled illustrations. A must have for every home library as far as I am concerned. I would say perfect for a 1st grader+ Some of the symbols it covers: plymouth rock, independence hall, the white house, capital building, supreme court, washington monument, lincoln memorial, statue of liberty, ellis island, mount rushmore, the flag, liberty bell, uncle sam, bald eagle, seal, decleration of independence, constitution & bill of right, national anthem, pledge of allegiance, and American holidays. This book has it all & even has some interesting facts that I as an adult did not know!