The Flag We Love

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Strike up the band and prepare to salute-this patriotic picture book unabashedly celebrates the Stars and Stripes. In a series of earnest verses, Ryan (One Hundred Is a Family) introduces young readers to our national symbol and the ideals for which it stands ("Americans stand together/ Before ceremonies start/ And promise their allegiance/ With their hands across their hearts"), while prose insets offer historical tidbits in a sidebar format. The book's clean, airy layout contrasts with Masiello's (The Extinct Alphabet Book) intense, sometimes murkily-hued oil paintings, which echo Ryan's text in their solemnity and fervor. Nonetheless, the result should delight Yankee Doodle dandies everywhere, and could help spark discussion on the basic elements of democracy. All ages. (Feb.)

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

In her poetic paean, Pam Muñoz Ryan "sings" of the symbolism inherent to displays of The Flag We Love when raised at school each morning, for example, flown on the 4th of July, or placed at the Viet Nam Memorial. Ralph Masiello's intense paintings powerfully portray the patriotic fervor of Ms. Ryan's verses for young people.

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

An American flag, the familiar red, white and blue, ripples in a sky filled with fireworks--a reminder of all of the joy and pride we take in one of our most enduring national symbols. As Ryan tells readers, no one really knows who designed or created the first flag or why the colors were chosen. Interestingly, there were no guidelines initially regarding the size or placement of the stars. She doesn't tell us when the flag was standardized, but what she does tell us is fascinating. Six American flags "fly" on the moon, one for each Apollo landing. Flags fly over schools, at national monuments, and are a big part of celebrations such as those for the Fourth of July. Flags fly at half-mast to honor the dead and they fly at our ports to welcome all who arrive at this country. Her text and Masiello's wonderful illustrations will make us all remember that the American flag represents "many of America's hopes and dreams." It is my hope that this book will find a place in school and public libraries and that children and adults will pause to think about our flag, this nation, and what we stand for. 2000 (orig. 1996), Charlesbridge, Ages 5 up, $16.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

Gr 1-6-A poetical history of the U.S. flag. Each double-page spread features a four-line, rhymed verse of mediocre quality and a box of well- and little-known trivia on the left, and a full-page painting on the right. The stronger illustrations include such moving scenes as the train carrying Lincoln's coffin, the Vietnam War Memorial, and an astronaut walking on the moon with a U.S. flag reflected in his visor. Other pictures are less effective-the ill-proportioned, misshapen hands on several figures are distracting. Overall, however, the bold, detailed paintings in muted colors help to emphasize the patriotic theme. An additional purchase.-Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL

Kirkus Reviews

Parallel texts (celebratory verse above, boxed historical information below) and burnished oil paintings combine in this paean to the American flag. The awkward verse ("The many connotations/For which our banner stands/Reflect our country's best intentions/And the people of this land") adds little to the effort, and although the boxed text correctly states that no one knows who made the very first Stars and Stripes, both poem and illustration (which shows the needlework of a lefthanded seamstress) tend to perpetuate the Betsy Ross legend. Another oddity: In the spread depicting the use of the flag at sporting events, the athlete shown is almost certainly Jesse Owens, yet his name and the significance of his Olympic victory are not mentioned.

The book is chiefly interesting for its depiction of the many ways in which the flag is used, e.g., to denote government buildings and official ports of entry, to mark the visits of explorers to remote regions, to memorialize fallen heroes, and to symbolize solidarity in parades and protest marches.