  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 03/15/2017 *Starred Review* Spare words meet striking artwork in this celebration of America. Naberhaus, who came to the U.S. from Punjab at age four, expresses the depth of feeling for her country in minimalist yet powerful phrases that also describe elements of the American flag. The words “Blue Sky / White Stars” are placed over a starry night with the Statue of Liberty reflected in the water below. The facing full-bleed page shows the white stars of the flag against its sky-blue background. Sometimes the words have literal images, such as a row of trees in autumnal red matched with the red and white stripes; other times, the associations are more subtle, as when a tattered flag is as “well-worn” as the up-close visage of Abraham Lincoln. Occasionally, there is wordplay: “sea waves” meets “see waves,” as Old Glory whips in the wind. Each of Nelson’s superb, often photo-realistic images capture the spirit and diversity of the United States, weaving together its people and symbols. Though ostensibly a picture book for younger children, this has the ability to reach a much broader audience, and spark discussion of hopes and fears. It’s hard to imagine a book better suited to this time. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Nelson is one of the preeminent kid-lit illustrators working today, and promotion will help this book, in particular, find its many readers. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 05/01/2017 >K-Gr 2—Naberhaus, an Indian American immigrant, and Nelson, an African American illustrator, collaborate on this timely homage to the relationship among America's majesty, its hopefulness and diversity, and its flag. Beginning with iconic images of the country (rows of autumn-burnished trees, a white trail of wagons moving west under the blue sky), the spreads feature descriptive phrases paired with illustrations that depict all types of Americans who enjoy the freedoms that the flag represents. The phrase "sew together won nation" is accompanied by an image of a white colonial woman stitching a flag, while the facing page displays an image portraying diverse faces ("so together one nation"). A baseball stadium is captioned "all American" and is juxtaposed with an African American man and grandson listening to the game on the radio—an American flag flying from their porch, a box of Cracker Jacks in hand, a cap emblazoned with "World War II veteran"; they are "all American," too. The raising of a flag and the launch of a rocket are paired with the phrase "rising up," followed by a determined eagle, the flag, and that same rocket "fly(ing) high." And when the rocket gets to the moon, the first thing planted there is a flag, which will be there "forever." History is written by the winners, and this title shows us that the symbols we value cross the barriers of race and ethnicity, making winners of us all. Naberhaus's short phrases are well chosen and evocative, but it is Nelson's paintings that bring power to this title—even the back cover holds a special treat. VERDICT A star-spangled entry, brilliantly illustrated by a national treasure. Highly recommended.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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