From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-In this alphabetically arranged "Patriotic Primer," sample entries include "H is for Heroes and I for Ideals. Heroes remind us of our nation's ideals and how important it is to live up to them." Portrayed among the heroes, along with firefighters, teachers, and astronauts, are "elected leaders," which sounds uncomfortably self-serving coming from the wife of the vice president. For a country founded on the notion of the separation of church and state, God seems to pop up at every turn, even serving for the letter G: "for God in whom we trust." "P is for the Patriotism that fills our hearts with pride." Each letter is given at least a full page of captioned, informative drawings in ink, watercolor washes, and colored pencils. Quotes and facts frequently frame the oversized pages. "Notes on the Text" provides additional information. However, the final quote by Ronald Reagan and the large feel-good jacket photo of the author and a suitable rainbow array of children reinforce the feeling that this is a none-too-subtle paid political advertisement.
Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 2-4. Cheney, wife of the vice president, states that her purpose in writing this book is to inspire in her grandchildren a love and appreciation of America and its ideals--and by extension to imbue this esteem in the rest of America's children. As the subtitle suggests, the book's organization is alphabetical: "G is for God, in whom we trust. H is for Heroes and I for Ideals. J is for Jefferson. K is for King. L is for Lincoln. M is for Madison. N is for Native Americans, who came here first." Typically, each entry appears on a single page, accompanied by several quotations and/or facts, which are illustrated with a number of attractive ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil pictures. Several pages of appended notes offer background information on topics raised. Glasser's upbeat illustrations feature a multicultural cast of children and adults portraying and celebrating aspects of American history. An inviting choice, especially for parents and grandparents looking for a patriotic book to share with children. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"A very important book . . . and the illustrations are beautiful."
"An inviting choice, especially for parents and grandparents looking for a patriotic book to share with children."
"Lynne Cheney will teach you the alphabet in a whole new way."
"The principles kids will learn from it are simple and eternal."
About the Author
Lynne Cheney’s most recent book is the New York Times bestseller, We the People: The Story of Our Constitution, illustrated by Greg Harlin. She is also the author of the New York Times bestsellers America: A Patriotic Primer, A Is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women, When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots, A Time for Freedom: What Happened When in America, and Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America, and has written a memoir, Blue Skies, No Fences. Mrs. Cheney is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Vice President Richard B. Cheney.
Robin Preiss Glasser is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series, written by Jane O’Connor; America: A Patriotic Primer, A Is for Abigail, and Our Fifty States by Lynne Cheney; and Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. She lives in Southern California with her family.
