The History of the Constitution: Notable Events for Young Readers

by Lisa Trusiani

Discover the history of the Constitution—an introduction for kids ages 6 to 9

On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates signed the Constitution of the United States into law. These four pages of rules would define how the United States government worked and serve as the foundation for all the rights that we enjoy today. This colorfully illustrated story takes kids on a journey through the writing of the Constitution, how it was amended with the Bill of Rights, and the ways it still shapes life in the United States.

This exploration of the constitution for kids

Introduce kids to the Constitution with this history book for early readers.

Genres: Nonfiction

66 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This introduction of the Constitution for new readers has a lot of good information. It starts with the colonies, the Revolutionary War, and the Articles of Confederation. It explains that after the Revolutionary War was won that the Constitution was needed to make the national government stronger and the state governments weaker so that they would actually be united.

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention got a lot done in just three months. They had to make compromises, such as the issue of slavery which was already a hot issue. They also came up with the three branches of government that we still have today. The Bill of Rights is also explained.

There are some extras in The History of the Constitution that will encourage children to learn. Some of the words are bold which means they are in the glossary in the back. There are also timelines and graphics called “Who,” “Where,” and “When.” Occasionally there’s an arrow with “Jump in the Think Tank” suggestions, which encourage children to think about what they might do in a given situation. There’s a quiz at the end as well as additional Think Tank questions.

There is a lot to learn about the Constitution and how it was made, and this book is a good start to learning about its history.

[Ms. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

America didn't just appear out of nowhere; the way we are today is directly related to the Constitution, the document that lays out how our government operates. This book explains what the country was like when it was first founded, how the Constitution was written, and why the founders felt it was important to have. It also talks about the contents, including how it's been amended over the years.

Good for anyone who loves history or politics and wants an overview of how America is supposed to work.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, age appropriate, and very relevant today more than ever as democracy and our rights are being threatened. Highly recommend.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a good start to young people becoming familiar with the U.S. Constitution.