Back of Book:
The story of this giant flag begins in 1812 and stars a major on the eve of battle, a seamstress and her mighty helpers, and a poet named Francis Scott Key. This isn’t just the story of one flag. It’s the story of “The Star Spangled-Banner,” a poem that became our national anthem, too.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
This is a moving nonfiction biography about the woman who sewed the flag that would become the inspiration for the Star- Spangled Banner. The story begins by introducing readers to Major George Armistead the man behind the idea of creating the flag. His goal was to send a big message to the British. He asked Mary Pickersgill if she could create a flag that would make that statement. Mary ran and owned her own business and was happy to take on the project. In six weeks she created a sign of freedom that would stand the test of time. After the war, Francis Scott Key was inspired by the flag to write a poem in honor of the victory. I loved that this book tells readers what happened to the flag and where they can go to visit it in all its glory. I have been to see Mary’s flag and I have to say it is a thing of beauty! The text is well written and incorporates speech bubbles which are a fun aspect of the story. The illustrations are bright and vibrant. I love that they showcase the process of what becomes of the flag. The back of the book has more information about the War of 1812 and Mary Pickersgill. This is a perfect book for any unit about the War of 1812 or the American flag. Also a perfect read aloud for Flag Day.
Ages 5 and up
48 Pages
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