Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag

by Sarah L. Thomson, Bob Dacey, Debra Bandelin

Schools, parades, post offices, and the moon. These are just some of the places we see the American flag. Fifty stars stand for the states that make up this country. Thirteen stripes remind us of the colonies that fought for their freedom. But the flag has not always looked the way it does today. Its history is as colored and rich as our country's past. Yet despite the ways the flag has changed in the past two hundred years, the pride, unity, and strength it inspires have never faltered. STARS AND The Story of the American Flag invites readers to travel back in time and witness firsthand how our flag came to be.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, American History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2003

About the author

Sarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for learning about the American flag!

[Alma Loredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It explains how the US flag was created and the changes in the process to having one single flag, which will always look the same. At the same time, it explains many significant events that impacted the creation of the flag such as the Revolutionary War, Star-Spangled Banner, Civil War, and September 11, 2001. I think this will be a wonderful book to use at the beginning of the school year as we are building community. Students need to know the importance of what the flag represents and the importance behind the words of the Pledge of Allegiance.

[Heloyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great resource for the facts about our flag. It is visually a very striking book but the tidbits of history are fascinating. At the back of the book is an interesting account of Betsy Ross and the real story behind the making of the flag. A children's book but a wonderful resource for any library.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations in this picture book about the American flag. The book is simple and there are added facts you can look back to in the front of the book. There is also a short description at the end of the book about Betsy Ross.

[Amynicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and insightful book about our nation's flag, to how it was created from the beginning and transformed to what it is today. I love my country and it is such a wonderful book to introduce a little history to little ones.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

tells the story of our flag. i like this book and learned from it some fun facts

[Marianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too simplistic for my tastes, and the 9/11 bit seemed out of place.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book on the American flag. It reveals so much history and so many variations of the flag that anyone with an interest in America or history in general would certainly enjoy this.

[Carly Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books to read around the 4th of July! Tells the story of how the flag came to be and why it's important. The pictures were terrific too. Loved it.

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary