My America

by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Have you seen my country?
Seen my magic skies?
Seen my mighty waters?
Have you seen my land? Have you seen my country?
Seen my wings abound?
Seen my water creatures?
Seen my beasts and fowl? Have you seen my people?
We hail from every shore.
Have you seen my homeland?
Have you seen my country?
Have you seen my America? In this stunning tribute to our country, Coretta Scott King Award winners Ashley Bryan and Jan Spivey Gilchrist remind us that America's strength and beauty come from the diversity of its people, wildlife, and landscape.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Cultural, African American, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Jan Spivey Gilchrist is the award-winning illustrator-author of seventy-four children's books. Dr. Gilchrist illustrated the highly acclaimed picture book The Great Migration: Journey to the North, winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, a Junior Library Guild Best Book, an NAACP Image Award nominee, a CCBC Best Book, and a Georgia State Children's Book Award nominee. She won the Coretta Scott King Award for her illustrations in Nathaniel Talking and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her illustrations in Night on Neighborhood Street, all written by Eloise Greenfield. She was inducted into the Society of Illustrators in 2001 and into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent in 1999. She lives near Chicago, Illinois.

Reviews

[Rebeca Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book, Author Jan Gilchrist writes poems that show his readers about the strength and beauty of America. This includes the diversity of its people, wildlife, and the landscape illustrated from his and Bryan's drawings. This book creates a welcoming environment for young readers through poetry, but also the textured pictures used when seeing the oceans and mountains. There is also the contrast of pictures when knowing which illustrator drew the landscapes. From Jan Gilchrist's neutral colors and detailed textures, the story creates an impact on the words used for their importance in the mood seen from him. The same can be said about the more vivid colors and texture typically seen by Bryan's artwork.

I liked the book in its simplicity in poetry with its short stanzas. I don't really like poetry but there is more of a change in heart by its pictures used for each word(s). If I would use this book in a classroom, it would have students understand poetry and how illustrators "emphasize" the words written in the story. By the diversity seen by both people, wildlife, and landscapes, it has an effect that America is a melting pot itself.

[Marilyn Maldonado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good book to read to students during thanksgiving week, after doing a unit on Native American history. Or sometime during the year. With the tension going on we must remind the younger children over what makes the country great, the diversity we have. through illustrations that have a diverse set of people drawn the illustrations do some justice for the message that is trying to be portrayed, but what I do think lack is the writing. Instead of written questions, and the short sentences describing the beauty I believe this book would have a greater impact if it were more bold and direct in its message. The cover jacket seems to be done through watercolor and based on the size of the book it seems that this is set up to read to a group of children instead of having it individually read.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one of few words, but had striking illustrations of radiant colors. It was written in a poem format with several words on a page. It asked if you had seen the narrator's America, and if you had seen other parts of the great land. It talked about American landscape and about America's people, and of their homelands. It talked about how even though the people were from different places and were very different, they all hail the same country, America. I liked this book because the word choice was bold and so were the illustrations. I think that this book would be fitting for any Kindergarten-2nd grade classroom, and the children would like the illustrations that are colorful and full of life.

[Kristen Quinlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a beautiful book. The simple story of little words written on each page leads the reader through a poetic look at the melting pot that makes up America, with people hailing from all over the world, from one coast to the other. The illustrator uses two very distinct methods of painting that give the reader a glimpse into the artistry that they are known for, contrasting from the usual single method found in other books. For that reason, I really liked this book to study the work of Ashley Bryan. The author is simple in the poetic form making it a very easy read for elementary readers. Definitely one to have in a classroom promoting inclusion and diversity.

[Summer D Clemenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My America is a poem by Jan Spivey Gilchrest that has been made into a beautiful picture book with amazing illustrations by Ashley Bryan and Jan Spivey Gilchrest.

Published in 2007, both artists were honored with Coretta Scott Kin Awards as they told of their vision of America’s strength, beauty and diversity from it’s people, wildlife and landscapes.

I love the poem and I love the illustrations but the layout was cumbersome to me, which made readability tedious at times.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a three stanza poem of thirteen lines depicting what America is or ca be in its diversity. Shown in the illustrations is a diversity of land, birds, animals and most importantly people. Written ten years ago this title would be very appropriate today in 2017 for a discussion starter about what is America and it's diversity

[Shelby Heffington]

This book is a sweet quick read to show to just be proud of America and to see the imagination and creativity of this book of a child's viewpoint and the things they see when they think about the simple things of America.

[Adriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Illustrations by two artists celebrate this beautiful, inspiring, simple books describing My America. Ashley Brian never fails to create vibrant landscapers, full of movement and joy.

[McKenzie Emberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are breath taking. I love how it shows diversity through the images and allows the audience their own opinion of their America.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations

[Jo Plunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

PreK level. Doesn’t have a story line or lesson necessarily, but has amazing illustrations!

[Kayla MacQueen]

Title: My America
Author: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Illustrator: Ashley Bryan and Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Genre: Poem picture book
Theme(s): American pride, diversity
Opening line/sentence: “Have you seen my country?”
Brief Book Summary: This poem put into a picture book goes through the amazing wonders and characteristics that are unique to America.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Horn Book: Bryan and Gilchrist illustrate Gilchrist's celebratory poem ("Have you seen my country? Seen my magic skies?...Have you seen my people? We hail from every shore") in alternating spreads. Bryan's are riotously colored, swirling paeans to nature; Gilchrist's are quieter dreamlike portraits of children. The contrast in the artists' styles, plus the propulsive page turns, make for a successful poem-as-picture-book.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: School Library Journal: Gilchrist's original three-stanza poem serves as the text for this passionate, dynamic representation of our national treasures. "Have you seen my country?/ Seen my magic skies?/Seen my mighty waters?/Have you seen my land?" A broad, inclusive view of America is portrayed: countryside and city, flora and fauna, and the people "who hail from every shore" and call America their home. Bryan's and Gilchrist's paintings provide stunning backdrops for this testament to the country's beauty and diversity. All readers will relate at some level, and many children will find their views of America expanded
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I really liked these reviews because they both had really good descriptions of the illustrations saying they are stunning and riotously colored. They really enjoyed the book and how it represented American pride and America as a country.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I really liked the poem in this book and the illustrations that went along with it. The poem really worked for this book even though it was short. The illustrations filled in the gaps that the text left out and did a better job at describing the unique aspects of America.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book when we go over America and the history of how this country came to be. I would also use it when we are talking about descriptive language and words in writing.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

My America


Illustrators: Ashley Bryan and Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Poem By: Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Themes/Topics
Identity

Suitable for grades: Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Opening: “Have you seen my country? ”

Brief Synopsis:
This picture book is based on the poem My America. This poem reminds us that America’s strength and beauty come from the diversity of its people, wildlife, and landscape.

Links To Resources:
Field trip outside to see the water, land, and sky of our country. Pair up and look at their partners carefully. Discuss the similarities and differences of each other’s facial features and dressing style.

Why I Like This Book:
This is a lovely simple book about the beauty of America. After reading this book, students would build a sense of belonging with the people around them and the land they were standing on. This book is a perfect fit for younger students to build their understanding of their country-America as well as basic vocabularies like water, land, and sky.

The illustrations in this book are closely tied to the words. They are beautiful watercolors. Students will be fascinated of the variations of colors used in this book. These illustrations will also help them create their own imaginations of their country.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: My America
Author/Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan & Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Genre: Poetry
Theme: Appreciation, America, Tribute
Plot Summary: This text, through use of a single poem, shares with readers an appreciation for America. The poem talks about America’s landscapes, its people, and animals.
Literary Merit: Theme is the best portrayed literary merit in My America. This book takes a simple, calming, and yet positive approach towards the appreciation towards one’s country. In addition, the illustrations used in the book display a colorful and diverse look at America. Readers feel that America is a place full of color, beauty, and excitement.
Reader Response/Classroom Connections: For a classroom connection, the teacher could focus on the text’s illustrations. The teacher could ask students to examine the illustrations closer and report back with what medium they think the illustrator used throughout the book. Then, as an art lesson, the teacher can have students choose a page from the text to recreate with watercolor paints. In addition to an art lesson, the teacher can pair this text with another text. The teacher could pair this text with a nonfiction text on America or other poetry books on America. The teacher could then discuss with students how these texts are similar and different based on what they talk about in regards to America, what they make readers think about America, and so on.

[Allison Willier]

Plot: This book goes through the wonderfully diverse things in America, from to sky to the sea. It also looks at the different creatures that live in these different ecosystems. America is made up of diverse people from all over, and all are welcome.

Literary Merit: I chose theme for this book. The theme is that everything is diverse, and that is what makes, America specifically, such a wonderful place to live. The book looks at the diversities of the land, the creatures, and the people.

Response: I would use this book to compare and contrast the different aspects within the book. I would put students into groups of three. Students would complete a Venn diagram looking at one of the categories individually. After completing the diagram, the group of three will all share the category that they compared with the other two group members.

[Dianne J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age of readership: Ages 4-8

Genre: Poetry

Diversity: People, Animals and Landscapes of America

Illustrations: Colorful drawings

My response to the book: This book is a celebration of the diversity found in America through the varied people, animals and landscapes, told to the reader in a 13 line poem.

Curricular/Programming connections: This book can be presented in a unit on diversity in cultures or animals in the United States for K- 3rd graders. This book can also be used while introducing school children to poetry.

[L11-Mary Utterback · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for grades K-3. Although the text is simple it really makes you think about the land we live in. The illustrations are sharp and whimsical. A true testament to the diversity of America.

[Kim Foy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful poem in tribute to our country and its diversity. The water color illustrations are very colorful and beautiful. This would be great to use when discussing diversity.

[Pam Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations show the diversity in America. Simple poetic text keeps the focus on the message and illustrations.

[Aaliyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough details...

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous, lilting ode to the foundations of the wonderful country of the United States. Perfect for sharing with the preschool set.

[Jasmine Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough details.