Although some might consider this book patriotically didactic, its reliance on symbols leaves much for readers to fill in with their own knowledge and experience. At every point, Naberhaus and Nelson claim America’s multiculturalism and pluralism as assets. For instance, “Sew together / Won nation,” with a young Betsy Ross sewing the first flag, appears across the gutter from “So together / One nation,” with a crowd of Americans displaying different ethnic, racial, gender, and age markers looking directly at readers. Naberhaus’ paired homophones, when considered with the illustrations, echo historical truths. Sparsely worded and rich in symbols, this oversize picture book speaks boldly, both visually and textually.įrom the beginning, Nelson’s artistically vibrant images make clear associations between the elements of the American flag and both what they symbolize and the diverse cast of individuals who have contributed, in the past and present, to the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans.
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