Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America

By Anna Crowley Redding

Book Overview

He saved the words that built America Emmy Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding and Sibert Honor illustrator Edwin Fotheringham bring to life the riveting true story about the lowly clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence from being destroyed by the British army in the War of 1812. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It's a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

These are the words that helped found our nation. Today the Declaration of Independence is one of the United States' most heavily guarded treasures, but during the War of 1812 it would have been destroyed if not for one man whose story has nearly been forgotten by time. Come along on this historic adventure and learn how one ordinary clerk did a truly extraordinary thing.

As a clerk for the State Department, Stephen Pleasonton spent his days quietly immersed in paperwork. He never expected to receive an urgent message telling him that the British army was on its way to the capital. And that the documents that Stephen was entrusted with--such as the original Declaration of Independence and the original Constitution--were all in danger

It fell on Stephen to get our nation's most cherished and priceless artifacts safely out of Washington

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062740334
• ISBN13: 9780062740335
• Release Date: April 2021
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.4" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Fun and informative

The war of 1812 doesn’t get much attention in chidlren’s literature, so this is a refreshing exception. The illustrations are drawn in a cartoon style that isn’t ugly or over the top. The text of the story is well written and engaging for a wide age range. Most four year olds and up would enjoy it. It doesn’t delve into the facts surrounding the war, but is simply a story from the war.