A is for America

From the British and our Constitution that replaced their rule, to Yellowstone and Zane Grey's stories of the west, A is for America is a sweeping tribute to all we know and love about our country. With delightful poems that beg to be read aloud, and expository text to broaden a reader's horizons, this American alphabet will make you fall in love with the United States over and over again.

Bright, beautifully detailed illustrations from California artist Pam Carroll bring each letter to vibrant life, from eagles and Thomas Edison to the veterans of two world wars. Celebrate all that is Americana with A is for America: An American Alphabet.

A T as tall as Texas for Thanksgiving and telephone.
Harry S. Truman, Harriet Tubman and trips to the Twilight Zone.
Times Square on New Year's Eve, a tangy Tootsie Roll.
Turning timber into a tall and towering totem pole.

Children and adults will delight in finding details of each rhyme on every page.A is for America is a timeless tribute to all we love about the United States.

Here's a fun activity that helps foster good citizenship in K-1 students.

Devin Scillian has done a fantastic job of using events and facts from just about every imaginable facet of American life, both well-known and obscure. For example, the book mentions the YMCA, Harriet Tubman, "The Twilight Zone", Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Hoover Dam, and egrets. That's on top of many major cities, states, and historical events.

The book layout features a very interesting two-tiered system. The main flow of the book is carried by a series of 4-line verses, one per letter. This portion is suitable for reading to pre-readers. Along the sides of each page, relevant factoids are given, further illuminating the main verse. This makes the book hold appeal for older readers, probably even up to 4th or 5th graders.

Pam Carroll's well-drawn illustrations are very "busy", but not in a bad way; my boy enjoys hunting for all the listed items. Adults can get a chuckle noticing the curious juxtapositions, such as Huck Finn reading a Hemingway novel on the "H" page, or, on the "N" page, Norman Rockwell painting Neil Armstrong, while both are on the moon.

I found this book to be an utter delight. Highly Recommended.


not very good for children   April 2, 2003
 3 out of 10 found this review helpful

This book crams too many bizarre things onto its pages. Also I didn't think the author used the best choices for some of the letters. I was very disappointed when I saw this book since it had gotten good reviews. I advise getting "America is.." (Borden/Schuett) instead.


History for Younger kids with Explanations for all   November 6, 2001
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a very good book. I purchased it for my daughter's fifth birthday. The illustrations are very well done. The text flows well with an almost sing-song rhythm. There are also explanations on the side for places and ideas mentioned in the main text. But can someone tell me where Mt. Rainier is in the picture? I can't see it. An example of the main text is "V is for Veterans and the valor they displayed in vying for vital victories and the sacrifices they made. V is for Virginia and Vermont and Vikings, too. It seems they got here long before Columbus was able to."