You're a Grand Old Flag
Category: Books,Children's Books,Classics
You're a Grand Old Flag Details
From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 4—It is difficult to think of a more patriotic combination than Cohan's lyrics and Rockwell's artwork, and this picture book introduces both to a new generation of children. In a short but interesting introduction, John Rockwell discusses his grandfather's long career and some of the common themes found in his pictures. This is followed by a series of spreads, each pairing a few lines from the famous song with a good-quality, full-color reproduction of a familiar Norman Rockwell illustration. The lyrics are then repeated, with a different painting for each phrase. The choice of images is thoughtful, in some places suggesting new and occasionally humorous meanings for the words. The text is artistically typeset in a large font reminiscent of printing during the mid-1900s. Matching borders tie the book together in a cohesive visual whole. Illustration credits are appended, with thumbnails of each picture and captions stating when and where it first appeared. This volume has great appeal for Rockwell's fans, but readers must be sensitive to the fact that it portrays an idealized, predominately white view of America. You're a Grand Old Flag (Walker, 2007), with Warren Kimble's attractive folk art, is a good alternative.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
Reviews
This is a charmer I've been reading & singing to my grandkids, even if it's short on text - just the first verse of Geo M. Cohan's song & long on Norman Rockwell's pictures of Americans.For those new converts to the PC way of life, you will notice how few are the faces of color on these pages. Both men lived B4 WWII. Get over it. If you're an "apologist" you won't be interested in this one, anyway. God Bless America & all who love & work for her!
