“America: A Patriotic Primer,” by Lynne Cheney, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 2002, 32 pages, grades 3-5.
Patriotism is the dedicated belief and love for one’s country. This is not an unquestioned acceptance of everything a country does, but rather a dedication to the principles upon which the country was built. For example, the United States was founded as a republic with a representative government. James Madison, our fourth president, after a careful study of other governments, helped write the United States Constitution. This magnificent document, with its famous Bill of Rights, has been the cornerstone of the nation since the founding of the Republic. Lynne Cheney, the wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, has written a comprehensive, fact filled alphabet book about the United States. It is most appropriate to read this interesting text as July 4th approaches. The name of this fine book is “America: A Patriotic Primer.”
The book begins with a picture showing the fleet of boats in New York Harbor on the Fourth of July. We see the Statue of Liberty holding her famous torch and the famous words of Emma Lazarus at the base: “I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” The famous Preamble to the Constitution frames the letter C with its moving opening words: “We the people of the United States in order to create a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty of ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish the Constitution of the United States.” These famous words have defined the United States for over 200 years. The letter D shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mrs. Cheney then continues the alphabet book with famous American concepts such as equality for the letter E and freedom for the letter F. All along are sidebars packed with information that will increase love for the United States. We learn about the sewing of the first American flags and Francis Scott Key writing the national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Students are next shown how to properly fold a flag, and how to display the flag. In the letter G, readers are instructed in the importance of religion and the reliance that Americans have always had in God. Cheney points out that freedom of worship sustains our country to this very day.
Famous personages continue to flow as the alphabet continues. We meet Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King, James and Dolley Madison and many others. The inventive genius of the American personality is seen in the letter Q in which musicians, poets, athletes and inventors form our national personality. The letter R has several pictures detailing the Bill of Rights. Without these marvelous rights, freedom would be lost and the United States would cease to be a republic. The book continues the American story to the end of the alphabet. It is overwhelming how much has been accomplished in this country. We see courage and faith, religious belief and dedication, hard work and insight. It is simply edifying.
As the Fourth of July approaches, it is well to consider the many important historical personages and powerful memories that Mrs. Cheney included in this fine book. The United States she describes calls out the best in its citizens. This America is based on courage, dedication to fellow citizens, a love of God and will make you stand up and salute the flag while singing “God bless America.” I hope you get a chance to read this fine book. Have a happy Fourth of July!
