A is for America: An American Alphabet

by Devin Scillian

Book Overview

From the British and our Constitution that replaced their rule, to Yellowstone Park and Zane Grey's stories of the west, "A is for America" is a sweeping tribute to all we know and love about our country. With delightful poems that beg to be read aloud, and expository text to broaden a student's horizons, this American alphabet will make you fall in love with the United States over and over again. Bright, beautifully detailed illustrations from California...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585360155
• ISBN13: 9781585360154
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 11.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

Great book and Series

We received this as a gift when our son was born. We loved it so much we have started collecting all of the "Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series" books. While our son is way too young to appreciate the artwork and history the rhyming is great and have found these to be great before bed and naptime books. We look forward to expanding our "Alphabet Series" library as our son grows.

T - A Treasure Trove of Trivia, for Tykes and (pre)-Teens

I really like this book. It's been in my 5-year-old's collection for about 2 years now, and it still get pulled down and read every few weeks. Devin Scillian has done a fantastic job of using events and facts from just about every imaginable facet of American life, both well-known and obscure. For example, the book mentions the YMCA, Harriet Tubman, "The Twilight Zone", Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Hoover Dam, and egrets. That's on top of many major cities, states, and historical events. The book layout features a very interesting two-tiered system. The main flow of the book is carried by a series of 4-line verses, one per letter. This portion is suitable for reading to pre-readers. Along the sides of each page, relevant factoids are given, further illuminating the main verse. This makes the book hold appeal for older readers, probably even up to 4th or 5th graders.Pam Carroll's well-drawn illustrations are very "busy", but not in a bad way; my boy enjoys hunting for all the listed items. Adults can get a chuckle noticing the curious juxtapositions, such as Huck Finn reading a Hemingway novel on the "H" page, or, on the "N" page, Norman Rockwell painting Neil Armstrong, while both are on the moon.I found this book to be an utter delight. Highly Recommended.

History for Younger kids with Explanations for all

This is a very good book. I purchased it for my daughter's fifth birthday. The illustrations are very well done. The text flows well with an almost sing-song rhythm. There are also explanations on the side for places and ideas mentioned in the main text. But can someone tell me where Mt. Rainier is in the picture? I can't see it. An example of the main text is "V is for Veterans and the valor they displayed in vying for vital victories and the sacrifices they made. V is for Virginia and Vermont and Vikings, too. It seems they got here long before Columbus was able to."

Parents and Teachers Will Enjoy This Along With The Kids

It's hard to find fault with a book that educates children with enough originality and intelligence to keep parents and teachers on their toes as well. Don't be surprised to find yourself learning what you thought you already knew!

Wonderful Artwork

When you open this book, the first thing you see is page after page of beautiful imagery for young and old alike. This is sure to catch many inquisitive kids attention and stimulate dinner conversations all around the nation. BRAVO, PAM and Devin