Rating: Summary: this is just ridiculous Review: I would not recommend this book as a usual "Alphabet Book" because a lot of the words are pretty abstract for a child trying to learn the alphabet. The idea of an alphabet book is to connect a letter to something concrete the child can relate to, like their own name or their dog, not "Suffragettes!" The book is confusing as a history for children who are beginning to read because it is in alphabetical rather than chronological order. There is no narrative here, no "story" in the history.Much of the history that this book attempts to whitewash over is not, in my opinion, really appropriate for serious discussion until children have begun to develop concepts of society outside of their family, neighborhood, and immediate town in the present day. I mean, my daughter is four years old. I can tell her the REAL story of the first Thanksgiving, but, it's kind of like, well, maybe she should first probably learn where North America IS, or that we live in a place called North America before we go into Metacom's Rebellion. This is not to say that it is then okay for Cheney to pretend like this history isn't real, that it isn't really impacting our lives today. Her presentation of "the facts" is appalling. Over and over again, we hear about how great America is. No mention of course of that great Vietnam war, what a great idea that was. No "H is for Hiroshima" page. How about "I is for Imperialism." Or "Internment Camps." It is really quite sick, quite pathological, to use the imagery of Iwo Jima on the front cover to hide the atrocities of war and present it instead as FUN! It wasn't any fun for anybody at Iwo Jima, and I have no intention of lying to my children about the realities of war. If you have a net worth of less than $10 million and you don't own stock in Halliburton, you are not doing your children any favors by aiding the capitalist class in this kind of blind indoctrination.
Rating: Summary: The ABC's of the USA..... Review: Join Lynne Cheney and Robin Preiss Glasser as they take you on a alphabetical history lesson in America: A Patriotic Primer. Ms Cheney's short, letter by letter text is a bit dry and uninspired, as in "C is for the Constitution that binds us together", "O is for the Oath new Americans take", or "U is for United States", and her simple explanations tend to be more preachy than informatiive. It's Ms Glasser's incomparably, bold, busy, and exuberant artwork that really make this book a winner. Each page is filled with detailed illustrations, creative borders, famous quotations, anecdotes, clever fun facts, trivia, and more. Young and old alike will enjoy poring over and exploring each fascinating and inventive page, and you're sure to find something new and exciting each and every time you open the book. Perfect for children of all ages, parents and teachers should use America: A Patriotic Primer as an introduction to famous Americans, historical events, and important ideas, to whet the appetite and send kids out looking for more.
Rating: Summary: Something good. Review: The lockstep, brainwashed, naive to the core, anti-american crowd just can not stand to hear anything that speaks well of this country. But then these people don't even know the difference between the Iwo Jima statue and the 9/11 flag raising statue.
Some of the comments:
There is no mention of Vietnam. Correct, and no mention of how the cowardly protestors not only helped prove the validity of the Domino Theory but helped ensure the deaths of millions.
N is for the Native Americans we "murdered". The truth is that no tribe encountered by the Europeans were the original inhabitants of North America. They were there because they had "murdered" the tribes before them. The cycle of life.
Her words like suffragists are too hard for children. I'm not sure what your children are like but my 6 year old understands all the words fine. Maybe more time parenting and less time protesting is needed.
It would not matter who wrote this book, how well it was written, or how exciting it was, there is a small, brain-dead segment within America which can not stand the thought of someone actually believing in or being proud of this country.
Rating: Summary: Great Gift for Children Review: This book is beautifully illustrated and filled with wonderful facts and quotes about the United States. After reading this book I immediately wanted to give it to the young children in my family and in my circle of friends. It's like getting an exciting and wonderful uplifting history lesson on every page.
Rating: Summary: Hideous, selective, bigoted gibberish Review: This is a very good primer for children on our country. I bought it for my 9 year old grandson and am quite pleased with the way it is presented, the artwork and the subject matter. While it's quite basic for the older child, it engenders interest in learning more. A good start for our children.
Rating: Summary: Awesome book for my adopted daughter! Review: This is not only an A,B,C, book, but makes learning about the United States fun and on a smaller personal level. It is also great for any adopted child to the US. I am hoping my daughter will like the letters" H & I for Heros & Ideals, O - for the Oath new Americans take, T- is for Tolerance, and Y is for You and all you will be in this greatest of Counrtries, the land of the free."
This book also includes more information on the back 2 pages for both adults and children to continue talking about the great men and women who made America the awesome country that it is!
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