We the People

by Peter Spier

Presents historical facts of the Constitution's creation and offers colorful illustrations of American life, past and present

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, American History, Historical, Government

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Peter Spier has established himself as one of the most gifted illustrators in this county. His Noah's Ark was the 1978 Caldecott Award winner, while The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night was a Caldecott Honor book in 1962. The firs two books in his widely acclaimed Mother Goose Library, London Bridge Is Falling Down! and To Market! To Market! were winner and runner-up respectively for the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. The Erie Canal and Noah's Ark both won Christopher Awards, while Gobble, Growl, Grunt received Honorable Mention in the first Children's Science Book Award program, sponsored by the New York Academy of Science.

Born and educated in Amsterdam, Mr. Spier came to New York in 1952 after serving in the Royal Dutch Navy and working for a number of years as a reporter for Elsevier's Weekly, Holland's largest magazine. He has illustrated over a hundred books and has contributed a series of murals to the H. F. Du Pont Winterthur Museum in Delaware.

Reviews

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you know about the Constitution of the United States? This clever book will enlighten you via splendid, colorful illustrations which juxtapose late-eighteenth-century figures, occupations, and sites with those of the current [2025] day plus a concise text defining this important document … spectacularly crowded and infinitely interesting illustrations make this forthright book a treasure for both young and old … it also includes the entire text of the Constitution up through Amendment XXVII, the one most recently ratified … phenomenal, and absolutely stellar …

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much just the preamble to the Constitution with pictures of then vs now. I enjoyed it and it was a good introduction for the kids! There was one picture that I thought was a little in your face and unnecessary, and in the grand scheme of things not the biggest deal. In the write up in the back about the constitution it talked a bit about the need for a strong central government and how that’s what makes our country great….which I don’t particularly subscribe to, but it makes for good conversation with the kids and a differing viewpoint.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also purchased with the 2014 reissue of The Star-Spangled Banner.

The colors are so vibrant and the story is so telling. It is merely a wordless picture book with the simple words of the preamble shared a phrase at a time. So many details are provided in the back with details and historical information perfect for the educational application. Peter Spier books will never go out of fashion in my mind and I'd love to have them all.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I snatched up the chance to see this eGalley as soon as I saw the availability without even thinking. Later, when I loaded up the file and added the details to Goodreads, I realized this is one of the Peter Spier books I actually own. I bought the 2014 jacketed hardcover reprint edition of which this paperback is a reprint of as well. I love our hardcover copy, but I relish the space-saving of which a paperback copy would permit on my stuffed glorious bookshelves.

The colors are so vibrant and the story is so telling. It is merely a wordless picture book with the simple words of the preamble shared a phrase at a time. So many details are provided in the back with details and historical information perfect for the educational application. Peter Spier books will never go out of fashion in my mind and I'd love to have them all.

I read a 2020 digital eGalley via Edelweiss. I also own a 2014 hardcover.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a children’s librarian for 35 years before retiring, and I attended library school in the pre-Internet era. During my time there, I actually did a report on Peter Spier for a class in the study of illustration of children’s books. I love his very detailed artwork, though it is not as effective for a large group storytime as it would be for a parent to read to their own children. At the beginning of my career, he was still pretty hot, although of course he is not as popular nowadays. I still love his very detailed works though, and am enjoying re-reading them after so many years.

[Beyondthebookends · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second appearance of Peter Spier on our list of amazing patriotic books for kids.   This illustrated version of The Constitution of the United States shows Americans from all walks of life and various times throughout our history.

Check out our list of 11 other patriotic picture books at https://www.beyondthebookends.com/201...

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has the preamble to the U.S. constitution accompanied by illustrations of people from the past and the present doing activities that portray each line. It also includes information on how the constitution was written. It contains the full text of the constitution at the end. This is a great introduction to this important U.S. document and the illustrations are lovely.

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy ( the author ) ! He has a way of presenting a very complicated subject in a concise and understandible way . All his books are like that . This one is my favorite . Great book for introducing a sixth grader to civics , as well as being a humorous reminder to an adult .

[Allie Job · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Informational
Grade level 3rd-5th
Something unique about this book is that is shows a visual representation about the celebration of the U.S. constitution and why it is so important to today's society in words for children

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking illustrated version of the U.S. Constitution. Perfect classroom resource when studying the birth of our country.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brilliantly illustrates, for kids and adults of all ages, the purpose behind the U.S. Constitution and our government. This book belongs in every home and classroom in the United States.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids (9 & 12) and I loved looking in detail at all the pictures in this illustrated introducton to the Constitution. The book is informative and fun.

We read the first page of the fine print historic portion at the beginning, then looked at half the Preamble portion with all the fun illustrations. The next day we read the other page of the historic part, and looked at the other half of the Preamble portion. It was a nice way to balance out the different portions of the book. (BTW, this is how I read authors' biographies to my kids too: we read a chapter of a book they wrote, then a chapter of the biography, switching back and forth. A spoonful of sugar!)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are classic Spier, providing plenty to talk about beyond the words on the page.

[Carly Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every picture in this book requires a full minute or two to really appreciate. Amazing as always Peter Spier!

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this, but it was just a meh for me. Extra star for attempting this topic in children’s book form, because that’s not easy at all.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting illustrative choices for the content, but not my style. I enjoyed the additional history at the back.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great educational book with lots of pictures that tell a story. This book focuses more on the pictures because it has few words on each page. Good book for social studies and learning about rights.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preamble of the constitution with dozens of images that represent the meaning of the words in the past and today. Love it!!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely reminder of who we are and who we need to find again.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the writing in this book, and even learned a couple of new things! And as always Peter Spier's illustrations are wonderfully done.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre Historical fiction
Grade Level 2nd-4th
This book surprisingly didn't have many words and the pictures have a lot of detail to help with the story. This would be a great book to put into a classroom library but probably not used for a lesson due to the lack of information.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Spier's book presents the United States Constitution in a format that is particularly attractive to young people. Following a historical introduction to the document's inception and historical importance (supplemented with an 1787 map of the US), the book presents an illustrated version of the Preamble to the Constitution. In Spier's lavishly detailed style, he presents many scenes from Colonial America, juxtaposed against comparable scenes of America in 1987. Through these images the audience sees changes that have taken place in the intervening centuries: clothes washing-boards have traded in for washing machines, the pillory changed to an isolated jail cell. Men in Colonial dress lined up to cast their ballot have been joined by modern women, and a black and white child can reach across the modern grocery aisle to play with one another. The book includes a reproduction of the document's signatures (with images of the signatories) and the full text of the Constitution, both typed and in its original handwritten format.

In this book, the character of the American people (to whom the book is dedicated) are shown with a heartfelt affection that is made more significant when you realize that Spier immigrated to the United States in his mid-twenties, in 1952. His Dutch roots give him a uniquely perceptive insight into American culture, and they make this patriotic tribute to our nation's founding especially meaningful.

This excellent book is unfortunately out of print, but is available in public libraries and on the used book market.

[Karen Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an easy book for elementary school readers. However, it provides a dense, informative overview of the making of the American Constitution.

Words that could use extra explanation during a class or one-on-one read aloud include by are not limited to justice, tranquility, defence, welfare, liberty, and prosperity.

In order for this book to make sense to a young reader, a strong background of the history of the constitution that goes beyond the overview presented in this book is necessary for comprehension. It would make a good supporting book to a Social Studies or American History class.

The pictures of the book are worth a second look. There is a lot to provide extra conversation.

This is a great educational book but is not the most engaging or entertaining book to use in the classroom. It does however provide a good summary and hits many important points.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

In true Spier style, the words are minimal but the pictures say so much!

Ages: 5 - 10

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, with a number of small illustrations giving context to each phrase, followed by pictures of each of the signers with his name, date of birth, and position. Also contains a history of the Constitution, as well as the document text, amendments, and footnotes.

This book, or something like it, would be very useful for classes studying the Constitution, and especially for those students who are writing reports or doing other research projects on American independence. The many tiny illustrations in the preamble section are helpful and interesting, although they would be much better for up-close studying than for whole-class sharing. Because this is a reprint with a new cover, librarians and teachers with extensive collections may want to make sure they do not already have a copy before ordering a new one.

[Lindsey Johnson]

We the People is not a book that I would want to pick up and read often. There are a lot of small pictures on every page. Every picture has a square around it so you can tell the difference between all the pictures on the page. I do like how the pictures are so small and they have a lot of illustration done to them. It is cool how small the box is and they can fit everything in it and it is still very detailed. There was not one picture that did not have any color to them. They all had vibrant colors to them.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would a great book to read-aloud to a group a school-aged kids. The pictures go along with the preamble to the Constitution. The rest of the Constitution, as well as the history behind the Constitution and information about the signers of the Constitution, are towards the end of the book. Depending on the size of the group and the age of the school-agers, you can go as in-depth as you'd like into the topic.

[Cassaundra]

Awards:None

Reading Level: 3rd grade

Interest Level:3rd-4th grade

Classroom Connection: This book is geared more for students that are older because it gives so much information. This book breaks down the Constitution and gives the student background information on how the Constitution came to be. The pictures in this book do a great job of showing students how things were done back in the time period in which the Constitution was written and how we do things today.

[Shayla Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Constitution is quite difficult for younger students to understand. This story puts it into less intimidating language while still keeping all of the important facts from the Constitution. Used at the beginning of a US Government lesson, this will help the students stay focused and have something to lean back on in times of confusion.

[Dulci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with a decent summary of the who, what, when, why, and how of the Constitution, then moves on to the preamble with accompanying illustrations by Peter Spier, which are, as always, incredible. I am forever a fan of any books that captivate minds and increase our appreciation of our American forefathers.