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Overview
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
Written in 1906 by George M. Cohan, "You're a Grand Old Flag" has been a favorite celebration song for generations of Americans. Now see it brought to life like never before as it is set with images of Americana, by the master of all things patriotic, Norman Rockwell. Children run to the swimming hole, families attend parades, a young couple kisses, and soldiers salute in this tribute to Norman Rockwell and the American culture, so beautifully immortalized in his art. With a foreword by Norman Rockwell's grandson, John Rockwell, this book is a treasure that families will love to sing along with.
Synopsis
It's the emblem of the land that we love!
Get ready to salute the flag as Warren Kimble pays tribute to one of his favorite subjects—America! George M. Cohan's classic patriotic anthem, beloved by young and old alike, provides the perfect backdrop for Kimble's playful portraits and stunning panoramas. From sea to shining sea, the stars and stripes appear somewhere on every spread for young readers to find.
This American standard provides a rousing soundtrack for sporting events, picnics, and in classrooms around the country. Sing along with the sheet music in the back of the book as you learn important facts about our flag. Red, white, and blue: hats off to you!
Publishers Weekly
Kimball's (The Cat's Meow) crisp folk art pays star-spangled tribute to Cohan's rousing patriotic song. Rendered in acrylic paint on distressed wood, the inventively textured paintings integrate images of Old Glory in wry ways as they accompany the lyrics. An eagle standing against the backdrop of the flag sports a vest featuring stars and stripes ("You're a high flying flag"). A pumpkin-headed scarecrow flanked by a pair of unfrightened crows with miniature flags in their beaks wears a star- and stripe-studded tuxedo and top hat ("You're the emblem of") and an indisputably proud rooster sports similarly flag-inspired formal wear ("Where there's never a boast or brag"). Kimball balances these entertainingly eccentric interpretations with more conventional renderings: a boat sails serenely past a lighthouse as two flags stand in the background ("And forever in peace may you wave") and a bell-topped one-room schoolhouse sits between two high flying flags ('Neath the Red, White, and Blue"). Kimball wraps up with a note on Cohan's creation of the song (originally titled "She's a Grand Old Rag," which proved too controversial), a brief roundup of "Flag Facts" and a score of the song. This patriotic paean will find an appreciative audience among folk art aficionados. Ages 5-8. (June)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationEditorials
Publishers Weekly
Kimball's (The Cat's Meow) crisp folk art pays star-spangled tribute to Cohan's rousing patriotic song. Rendered in acrylic paint on distressed wood, the inventively textured paintings integrate images of Old Glory in wry ways as they accompany the lyrics. An eagle standing against the backdrop of the flag sports a vest featuring stars and stripes ("You're a high flying flag"). A pumpkin-headed scarecrow flanked by a pair of unfrightened crows with miniature flags in their beaks wears a star- and stripe-studded tuxedo and top hat ("You're the emblem of") and an indisputably proud rooster sports similarly flag-inspired formal wear ("Where there's never a boast or brag"). Kimball balances these entertainingly eccentric interpretations with more conventional renderings: a boat sails serenely past a lighthouse as two flags stand in the background ("And forever in peace may you wave") and a bell-topped one-room schoolhouse sits between two high flying flags ('Neath the Red, White, and Blue"). Kimball wraps up with a note on Cohan's creation of the song (originally titled "She's a Grand Old Rag," which proved too controversial), a brief roundup of "Flag Facts" and a score of the song. This patriotic paean will find an appreciative audience among folk art aficionados. Ages 5-8. (June)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationChildren's Literature -
For those of us who are older, the name Norman Rockwell means something. We remember his artwork that appeared on the Saturday Evening Post and many other publications and advertisements. His style was distinctive and as a child I enjoyed looking at the magazine covers. He focused on American life and the simple things experienced by ordinary people. This collection of his work has been assembled to accompany the song from another famous person—songwriter George M. Cohan. This particular song was a World War I hit. Cohan also wrote musicals and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1936. Knowing all that, I am really not sure that this picture book will have a lot of kid appeal. It takes a bit of understanding as to what was happening in America to make sense of illustrations that depict times long gone. The book could be used in a social studies program, music lesson and art programs, but without some adult assistance, it will probably only appeal to adults and in particular those of a certain age. Reviewer: Marilyn CourtotSchool Library Journal
K-Gr 4
It is difficult to think of a more patriotic combination than Cohan's lyrics and Rockwell's artwork, and this picture book introduces both to a new generation of children. In a short but interesting introduction, John Rockwell discusses his grandfather's long career and some of the common themes found in his pictures. This is followed by a series of spreads, each pairing a few lines from the famous song with a good-quality, full-color reproduction of a familiar Norman Rockwell illustration. The lyrics are then repeated, with a different painting for each phrase. The choice of images is thoughtful, in some places suggesting new and occasionally humorous meanings for the words. The text is artistically typeset in a large font reminiscent of printing during the mid-1900s. Matching borders tie the book together in a cohesive visual whole. Illustration credits are appended, with thumbnails of each picture and captions stating when and where it first appeared. This volume has great appeal for Rockwell's fans, but readers must be sensitive to the fact that it portrays an idealized, predominately white view of America. You're a Grand Old Flag (Walker, 2007), with Warren Kimble's attractive folk art, is a good alternative.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT