Picture Book Review: Speaking of America
Speaking of America: United States Presidents and the Words That Changed History is an upcoming children’s book by Jared Cohen that offers a unique way for middle-grade readers to explore U.S. history. The book features forty-five profiles and quotes from different U.S. presidents, highlighting the power of words and their impact on the nation.
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Why did George Washington call for “good faith and justice towards all nations” in his farewell address? What did it mean for Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim, in the middle of the Great Depression, that “the only thing to fear is fear itself?” And in one of the most famous presidential speeches ever given, the Gettysburg Address, why did Abraham Lincoln choose to begin with math (“four score and seven years ago”)?
Each president’s section in Speaking of America is accompanied by pastel-colored illustrations by Vivian Shih, both depicting a US president and then what the citizens of the US were experiencing at that time. These illustrations help bring each historical figure to life and make the content more engaging for younger readers.
In addition to the quotes, each section in the Speaking of America book includes an interesting fact about the president and a brief snapshot of what the United States was like during that election year. The way each section is set up helps readers understand the historical significance of each president’s words.
Overall, this book is a great introduction to U.S. history and all of the US presidents for young readers. It encourages them to think about the importance of leadership, the power of words and the role of presidents in shaping the nation.
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