O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Important Words - Softcover

Keenan, Sheila

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0439593603 ISBN 13: 9780439593601

Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction, 2007

Synopsis

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 and Uncle Sam Halloween costumes. Patriotic symbols are everywhere...but where do they come from? What do they mean?
Now in paperback, this celebration of twenty of America's important places, interesting objects, and inspiring words is for the youngest Americans. Including Plymouth Rock, the White House, the flag, the bald eagle, and many more, this book draws kids in with its big, two-page spreads and fun, bright pastels and satisfies their curiosities about America's most prominent symbols.

About this title

From the Author

Sheila Keenan is the author of many nonfiction books, including GREETINGS FROM THE 50 STATES; ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE; O, SAY CAN YOU SEE?; GODS, GODDESSES, AND MONSTERS; and the SCHOLASTIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES. She lives in New York City.

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
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About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0439593603
• ISBN 13: 9780439593601
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Boyajian Ann