Sweet Land of Liberty (Ellis the Elephant) [Hardcover]

Callista Gingrich (Author), Susan Arciero (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2011 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Ellis the Elephant | Lexile Measure: 800L (What's this?)

How did America become the land of the free?

In Sweet Land of Liberty, Ellis the Elephant sets off on a quest to find out.

Through an amazing afternoon at the library, Ellis travels through time and discovers the pivotal moments that have shaped our nation’s unique history, including,

• the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving
  
• the Boston Tea Party
  
• George Washington crossing the Delaware
  
• pioneers settling the great frontier
  
• the first man on the moon

and many more of the astounding events and people whose dreams, courage, and hard work have made America great.

With its vivid illustrations and charming rhymes, Sweet Land of Liberty is a must read for children and parents alike who want to explore our nation’s great history—and discover why America is a free and exceptional nation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Callista Gingrich is the President of Gingrich Productions. She and her husband, Newt, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, and Nine Days that Changed the World. Mrs. Gingrich’s photography is featured in the New York Times bestseller, Rediscovering God in America, as well as in Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, which she co-authored. Callista is the voice for several audio books, including, A Nation Like No Other and To Save America. Mrs. Gingrich is also the President of the Gingrich Foundation. She resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Newt Gingrich.

Susan Arciero is the illustrator of numerous children’s books, including Nat, Nat, The Nantucket Cat and Cornelius Vandermouse: The Pride of Newport. Growing up in Masachusetts and traveling the world as a military family, including ten years in Washington, D.C., made researching these illustrations even more captivating and inspiring. She lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with her husband, three children, and two Basset Hounds.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Kids (September 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596982926
• ISBN-13: 978-1596982925
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 0.5 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Elephants
  • #72 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

145 of 156 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Rhyming Introduction of America for Youngsters September 14, 2011

By Wayne A. Smith VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is a good children's book aimed at young readers (or more properly, at young listeners as this would be most effective being read by a mom or dad). It introduces the broad themes of America and our unique story in rhyme.

The illustrations are very warm and age appropriate. They will invite youngsters into the story and present them with iconic images of America that youth will undoubtedly see throughout their lives. One hopes of course that this type of book would make them curious about learning more as they age.

The rhyme is well done and has the type of cadence that will appeal to its audience. As a dad and every-evening reader to all my kids when they were young, I can say that this type of prose will keep a four/five/six year old enthralled as the rhymes present the information in easy to remember stanzas.

My only criticism is that I thought the book could have been a bit longer. On the plus side, the author includes a good appendix where parents can find out more information to delve into the topics addressed by the book.

This would be a good gift for any kid in the 3-6 year old range.

122 of 140 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Read, Indeed. September 20, 2011

By Wheeler

Format:Hardcover

Even an old adage of truth as "never judge a book by its cover" can be wrong now and again.

The cover of Sweet Land of Liberty displays a most adorable elephant viewing Liberty Island in New York Harbor with an expression (only as elephants can) of pride and patriotism. From sweetly eyeing the Statue of Liberty to tenderly embracing our Nation's Flag, you grasp the idea that this elephant is in love with America. Even the bald eagle (who joins the elephant on each page) stands tall, and smiles while overlooking what is considered our greatest symbol of freedom, La Liberté éclairant le Monde.

As the first page turns, you learn that this patriotic pachyderm is named Ellis. Besides his love of country, he enjoys the library (which explains how he is also smart and curious) and without further ado, Ellis with his befriended bald eagle adventure off into the world of books to discover the secret of America.

They are not disappointed in their travels, and neither will you or your child be in reading this delightful book. Each page is increasingly beautiful in writing and illustrating as the learning journey unfolds. The simplicity of the rhyming magically explains the great events that have transpired over the centuries as our country has grown. From the first Thanksgiving to the crossing of the Delaware to the landing on the Moon, Ellis' activities are engaging, inspire the imagination, and you learn something along the way. Could anything be better in a children's book?

Well, yes. And Sweet Land of Liberty has it. It gives young and old alike a reason to love this great land of ours, again. We seemingly have lost what our parents instinctively knew--this is a great land of freedom and opportunity. That nothing is impossible to anyone who follows in the footsteps of the patriotic men and women that came before them. That it was in our ancestor's self-sacrifice, tenacity, and love of country that forged the liberty we are so blessed to enjoy today.

As if this were not enough, the author goes the extra mile to supply the reader with a plethora of well-documented resources for further exploration and learning outside the library.

So to one and all, please judge this book by its cover--it is as charming and heartwarming on the inside as it appears on the outside. But, maybe the old adage is true after all, as Sweet Land of Liberty delivers much more than even Ellis' beaming smile suggests on the cover. A very good read, indeed.

54 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Childrens Book September 28, 2011

By Hearth and Home

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I volunteer for the READ ALOUD program offered in the West Virginia Public Schools. Today I read "Sweet Land of Liberty" to a class of 3rd graders. The students enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed reading it to them. It was wonderful to read a book that expressed such pride in our nation. Having the cute character Ellis the elephant and the Eagle visiting important times in our history kept them interested. The third grade class was already familiar with many of the the historical events in the book, however what was special about this book is it connected these events with having pride in our nation in a way children could understand. Great Book! Wonderful Illustrations! To the author and illustrator "please write/illustrate more books like this one"