BOOKS: Oh Say Can You See

At SixSeeds, we believe in the power of a good story... even the books our small children are hearing and reading.  Stories have an amazing power to move, inspire, and sometimes even transform lives... even young lives. This week, we take a popular kids' book and examine it. Hopefully, the next time you're browsing though a crowded bookstore...  you can choose wisely!

Title: O, Say Can You See: America’s Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words
Author: Shelia Keenan
Illustrator: Ann Boyajian
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Age:  2-6 grade
Cost: $16.95
Buy it: here
Rating: 4 out of 6 seeds

Considering the number of fireworks stands passed on the way to the bookstore, finding a plethora of Independence Day reading materials for the kids should be an easy task, right?

If you are planning to walk into the bookstore this week and find a book on the 4th of July, it might be a little more difficult than you’d expect. And If you are thinking you will just grab one from the children’s patriotic display, it definitely won’t be happening, at least not at the Barnes and Nobles in Nashville. Still empty handed on the quest for the perfect kid’s book, it’s time to call in the reinforcements. The sales clerk couldn’t think of a book and then proceeded to check the computer to confirm that they indeed had… nothing.

Fortunately, a book originally bought from the gift shop of the Empire State building can come to concerned parents' rescue… one readily available through Scholastic Books. If you are looking for a resource to help children have a greater understanding of our history, O Say Can You See: America’s Symbols, landmarks, and Inspiring Words by Shelia Keenan packs a ton of history into 63 pages. This would be a good Introduction to American History for early elementary aged kids, especially homeschoolers. It’s concise and covers a lot of ground, but the big picture does not get lost in the details. The illustrations are painted for children, but they still give the reader a somewhat accurate picture of the important places and symbols of America.

The book is broken down into 4 categories: Important Places, Interesting Objects, Inspiring Words, and Celebrating American Holidays. Also included is a glossary and a list of other helpful books on the subject. Its full of interesting tidbits. Did you know that it takes 570 gallons of paint to keep the White House white or that 1,000 freight cars were utilized to carry the stone needed for the outside of the Supreme Court Building?

Looking for some more quick and easy ways to help educate your children this holiday, check out this article from Parenting on Today.  A little advice on this 4th of July:  stick to the internet to find your books and save your extra time for your loved ones… and the fireworks.

Enjoy our other reviews of children's books!

I'm the Best! by Lucy Cousins

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce