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America Is...
What is America?
It is fifty states from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific Ocean and beyond. It is a flag of stars and stripes. It is farmers, miners, factory workers, bakers, and bankers. It is Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, swamps and desert.
It is the stories of all of us, told together.
It is fifty states from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific Ocean and beyond. It is a flag of stars and stripes. It is farmers, miners, factory workers, bakers, and bankers. It is Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, swamps and desert.
It is the stories of all of us, told together.
40 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Louise Borden
35 books47 followersThere were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.
I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.
Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.
I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.
Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 18, 2019
This book celebrates our nation, from its beginnings to today, including the many people who live here and contribute to our society.
It tells about various aspects of America using a simple, poetic narrative and includes the words to the "Pledge of Allegiance" and "The Star Spangled Banner."
The illustrations, created using acrylic, gouache, and ink on Arches paper, are colorful and complement the narrative very nicely.
I think this is a great book to read aloud with a child and it would also work well with a group.
It tells about various aspects of America using a simple, poetic narrative and includes the words to the "Pledge of Allegiance" and "The Star Spangled Banner."
The illustrations, created using acrylic, gouache, and ink on Arches paper, are colorful and complement the narrative very nicely.
I think this is a great book to read aloud with a child and it would also work well with a group.
July 12, 2021
Pretty sure the whole US would benefit from reading this today.
October 2, 2009
What is America? This book attempts to answer that by looking at the many different aspects that make up the USA. This book reminds us what an honor it is to live in the land of the free, and the qualities that make America so great, from the flag and the pledge to the mountains and the sea.
Seeing as the anniversary of September 11 just passed I wanted to find a picture book on America to use in the classroom, and the librarian suggested this one. While I feel the book offers many different definitions of American, it lacks any emotional depth or feeling. This book does a lot of telling with very little showing. Borden says “America is old barns and country roads” but offers no descriptive language to aid in the visualization of the roads or the barns. The language used is a bit simplistic bland and may not challenge some of my higher students. For example, “America is the prairie: tall grass, and wind, and stars.” This book lacks description that put your brain to work and allows your mind to wander. While this book had some great ways of defining America, I think I could find a better book to use in my classroom. The recommendation for this book came from a librarian at my local library.
Seeing as the anniversary of September 11 just passed I wanted to find a picture book on America to use in the classroom, and the librarian suggested this one. While I feel the book offers many different definitions of American, it lacks any emotional depth or feeling. This book does a lot of telling with very little showing. Borden says “America is old barns and country roads” but offers no descriptive language to aid in the visualization of the roads or the barns. The language used is a bit simplistic bland and may not challenge some of my higher students. For example, “America is the prairie: tall grass, and wind, and stars.” This book lacks description that put your brain to work and allows your mind to wander. While this book had some great ways of defining America, I think I could find a better book to use in my classroom. The recommendation for this book came from a librarian at my local library.
September 23, 2018
Louise's poem, "America Is..." is a book about the honor to be here, in the land of freedom. Each page starts with "America Is..." and explains an aspect of this country. There are mountains, rivers, landscapes along the nation. There are many great people in the history, and there are many symbols stand for our country. Reading page to page, I feel proud to be here, and thanks God for letting me be a part of this country.
This book is very interesting for children because it collects all the symbols that stand for the nation. It summaries and explains everything about our country, from the smallest things that relate to the children to the symbols that stand for our nation: the Statue of Liberty, the Flag. The illustrations are very adorable and match with the text on each page. I love this book and will read it for my children.
This book is very interesting for children because it collects all the symbols that stand for the nation. It summaries and explains everything about our country, from the smallest things that relate to the children to the symbols that stand for our nation: the Statue of Liberty, the Flag. The illustrations are very adorable and match with the text on each page. I love this book and will read it for my children.
December 4, 2025
Hi there! I just finished reading your story, and I have to say, I could visualize everything in my head while reading. You’ve created a story that feels really vivid, alive and expressive. I read very regularly and rarely come across such stories.
I’m a commission artist who creates Webtoons, manga, and comic for authors, and while reading your work, I immediately thought about how powerful it would look in visual form. The pacing, tone, and tension are already there.
If you're into the idea of converting the story into a comic or webtoon, I’d love to talk about how we could make that happen. Feel free to reach me on Discord (eve_verse).
Regards,
Evelyn
I’m a commission artist who creates Webtoons, manga, and comic for authors, and while reading your work, I immediately thought about how powerful it would look in visual form. The pacing, tone, and tension are already there.
If you're into the idea of converting the story into a comic or webtoon, I’d love to talk about how we could make that happen. Feel free to reach me on Discord (eve_verse).
Regards,
Evelyn
October 28, 2023
I like reading this book because it talks about what is America in the sense of places, climates, culture and in the sense of everyone in America makes America. The people before America was conquered and people arriving after America was America the land of the Freedom. I would read this book in early childhood grades from preschool to second grade.
July 13, 2019
"America is our country. It is the place we call home. We are the nation whose name mean freedom to people all over the world."
So begins and ends this simple celebration of America.
I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
So begins and ends this simple celebration of America.
I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
July 9, 2017
Great read aloud book for a patriotic unit
February 1, 2019
This is beautiful. This is what patriotism means to me-- celebrating the diversity of our country: people, landscape, lifestyles, etc.
October 24, 2013
Louise Borden’s poem, “America is…” was made into a beautiful children’s book. The book describes what America means to her. The book begins and ends with the phrase, “America is our country. It is the place we call home.” She describes the things that makes us America: our flag, the pledge, farmers, teachers, skyscrapers, cities, South, North, East, West, snow, rain, cowboys, Native Americans, diversity, freedom, prairies, Niagara Falls, heroes, Fourth of July and the fifty states. My favorite quote in the book is, “America is…the stories of all of us. Told together.” This book humanizes our culture and seeks to explore what drives the heart of our patriotism. I LOVE this book because the author recognizes the Native Americans as the first people in America. She also uses the melting pot theory in her writing. She makes it very clear that America is composed of ALL people!
In terms of literacy this is an OUTSTANDING book! The book is a poem that tells a story. The visuals are breath taking. They make children feel like they are right in the middle of what is going on. I plan to use this book in my classroom on various occasions. I plan to read this book at the beginning of the year. I plan to read this book on September 11th. I also plan to use this book as a resource for ELL leaners. ELL learners will benefit personally and academically from this book. They will understand exactly what America is and they will become familiar with a new culture.
I also plan to use this book to teach the craft of repetition. The author uses the phrase, “America is…,” frequently throughout the book. She does not want us to forget what she is talking about. After reading the book I will instruct children to compose writing pieces that use the element of repetition. They may write a poem, short story, etc. that uses repetition. I do not want to limit their potential by giving them a particular medium to focus on. Also I would use this book for a vocabulary study. Many children may be unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary in the book. This lesson will benefit both ELL and home base learners. In addition to these activities I would have children create a poster about what America is. They may draw pictures, use magazines, write a story, poem, etc. I want them to capture their thoughts in an artistic way. I would also use this book as a discussion topic of children’s personal views on living in America. I would also have ELL children discuss their home country or their parent’s home country if they are willing to share.
In terms of literacy this is an OUTSTANDING book! The book is a poem that tells a story. The visuals are breath taking. They make children feel like they are right in the middle of what is going on. I plan to use this book in my classroom on various occasions. I plan to read this book at the beginning of the year. I plan to read this book on September 11th. I also plan to use this book as a resource for ELL leaners. ELL learners will benefit personally and academically from this book. They will understand exactly what America is and they will become familiar with a new culture.
I also plan to use this book to teach the craft of repetition. The author uses the phrase, “America is…,” frequently throughout the book. She does not want us to forget what she is talking about. After reading the book I will instruct children to compose writing pieces that use the element of repetition. They may write a poem, short story, etc. that uses repetition. I do not want to limit their potential by giving them a particular medium to focus on. Also I would use this book for a vocabulary study. Many children may be unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary in the book. This lesson will benefit both ELL and home base learners. In addition to these activities I would have children create a poster about what America is. They may draw pictures, use magazines, write a story, poem, etc. I want them to capture their thoughts in an artistic way. I would also use this book as a discussion topic of children’s personal views on living in America. I would also have ELL children discuss their home country or their parent’s home country if they are willing to share.
February 13, 2015
Each page of this book focuses on trying to define America and includes everything that America stands for. Every page begins with the same line “America is…” and describes different aspects and symbols of our nation such as the flag, Statue of Liberty, and the liberty bell. Some pages mention important people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. The author begins the book with the Pledge of Allegiance and America the Beautiful. The author makes it very clear that America is made up of all different types of people but that we make up one nation together. The text is short and uses fairly simple language. In my opinion, the illustrations do a better job of using your senses to feel any emotion. The text does more of a better job describing America rather than show any type of feelings. The illustrations are bright and colorful and really give meaning to the poems. You could use this book for grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. You could have students come up with a poem and illustrations to describe what America means to them. I would also use this book as a resource for other numerous things such as introducing landforms, diversity, American symbols, American heroes, etc.
April 1, 2014
This is a large picture book full of color and massive illustrations that would be nice as a read aloud. I did a little research on this author and found she is from Cincinnati. It's nice to share local author's with our student's. Each page focuses on a different aspect of our nation with the beginning text as "America is" for each aspect. Then it proceeds with a poetic descriptive format. She covers areas regarding American symbols, culture of diversity, land formations, state, city, farmland. She begins the book with the Pledge of Allegiance and America the Beautiful. The student's would be able to see that we have differences, but we all commonalities among us across the nation.
I would use this book during an America themed unit of study. The student's could identify American symbols; such as, the flag, the liberty bell, and the Statue of Liberty. This is a good book to introduce ideas of city, state, and country. As well, bringing meaning to the terms pride and freedom.
I would use this book during an America themed unit of study. The student's could identify American symbols; such as, the flag, the liberty bell, and the Statue of Liberty. This is a good book to introduce ideas of city, state, and country. As well, bringing meaning to the terms pride and freedom.
December 1, 2015
America is... does a great job presenting to the reader just what America is. Our country, a place where we can all call home, a nation that means freedom to all those around the world. The book highlights Native Americans, the people who have come from all over the world that now call America their home, the bakers, the farmers, the teachers, the students. The book best sums it up when it says "America is...the stories of all of us, told together." America is... using word choice that allows readers to visualize images that define America. The books provides an example of sentence fluency because through the expression related through the descriptions of people and places that make up America. The book is a great read for K-2 and would be useful in kindergarten classes during their social studies units on community and the world as well as for discussion in K-2 about what and who makes America unique as puzzle pieces that come together to make our country complete and unique.
July 15, 2013
This book is great because it includes everything that American stands for. When I worked at a daycare, we had school the day before July 4th and we didnt have that many books like this. This has great pictures for young children to expand their imaginations yet give a detailed view of what people in america actually do. I also like it because it talks about the states and other national symbols. National symbols are covered in the benchmarks for students and this book not only states them but shows pictures of them too. DEaling with the flag, it describes what the stripes and stars stand for which some children might have a hard time understanding. This book could be used in July 4th prep work and also national symbols.
May 25, 2011
1. What is the main idea? America.
2. What is a fact? America has 50 states.
3. What happened after the AR? America won.
4. Why does America celebrate 7/4? People gained independence.
5. What is the same between Washington and Betsy? They are important.
6. What do you think will happen next? America fights.
7. What does bomb mean? Detonate.
8. You can tell that America is free.
9. What is an opinion? America Is beautiful.
10. What is a lesson? Be nice.
11. What does fifty mean? 50.
12. What can happen? America gets in war.
2. What is a fact? America has 50 states.
3. What happened after the AR? America won.
4. Why does America celebrate 7/4? People gained independence.
5. What is the same between Washington and Betsy? They are important.
6. What do you think will happen next? America fights.
7. What does bomb mean? Detonate.
8. You can tell that America is free.
9. What is an opinion? America Is beautiful.
10. What is a lesson? Be nice.
11. What does fifty mean? 50.
12. What can happen? America gets in war.
April 25, 2011
This book is a great book to buy and add to any classroom collection. It tells what America is and the traditions we have. It tells how America got started and some of the important places in America. This is a great book to read to your classroom to show how we are all Americans and we work together. Good book to talk about all the diverisities in America but how we all come together. This book covers important places, people, traditions, and sayings.
June 20, 2011
This is a well done depiction of America. It covers the beginnings of our country, what we believe and represents every part our nation. This would be a great read out loud when talking about what makes America a great place to live.
July 21, 2011
This would be a great book for a teacher in elementary school to have in their collection. It depicts nicely what is America. It includes different states, rivers, crops, cities, ethnics, etc. Great for a beginning social studies class
February 11, 2015
A nice reminder of the wonders our beautiful country holds. Adults watching the 24-hour news cycle can quickly become jaded about what our country represents these days.
Great journal topic to use with kids to write their own poems/thoughts that begin with "America is..."
Great journal topic to use with kids to write their own poems/thoughts that begin with "America is..."
October 31, 2011
I used this with language arts/social studies writing lessons. Loved this book for metaphors and image writing. It has many opportunities for extentions. I probably rated it higher because of sentiment, but I did like this book a lot for the way we could use it in so many ways.
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May 19, 2008811 Bor
August 8, 2010
Nice illustrations.
May 2, 2011
I would recommend this book for Social Studies integration with race/ethnicity, diversity, and culture becuase of the symbolism, the many people of the world, and differnt landscape.
December 6, 2011
A beautiful story about the many things that make up America. Gorgeous artwork and a story that is good over & over again.
February 1, 2012
I enjoyed the book a lot, but I really enjoy history, great illustrations too! Would probably be best read to a third-fifth grade Social Studies class.
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May 21, 2012This book is about America. The main idea of this book is that are peace country for anybody who live here.
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May 27, 2013Very pretty pictures. Kept my 3 year old cutie enthralled and asking questions.
October 22, 2015
I liked this beautiful book -- a lot -- and it would have been perfect if it had ended about eight to ten pages sooner.
February 8, 2024
Big, eye-catching, colorful illustrations which I quite enjoyed. Content is super! Get it. Read it. Often.
October 12, 2012
Great kids book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews