Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art

by Diane Siebert, Stephen T. Johnson (Illustrator)

From New Hampshire's formidable Mount Washington to San Francisco's spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, the scenic treasures of the United States are brilliantly captured in this artistic tour de force. Award-winning poet Diane Seibert's inventive poems are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor recipient Stephen Johnson's compelling imagery. Each turn of the page offers a surprise whether it's an impressionistic painting of Niagara Falls, a wild collage of Las Vegas, or an evocative tallgrass prairie landscape. Additional facts about each site and a list of art media are provided, making this distinguished volume a gem for the study of literature, art, history, or geography.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Art, Travel, Juvenile

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Diane Siebert is the author of Mojave, a 1988 Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice, a 1988 Notable Children’s Trade Book in Social Studies, and a 1989 Teachers Choice, and Heartland , a 1989 Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice, a 1989 Notable Children’s Trade Book in Social Studies, and a 1990 Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts. Ms. Siebert lives at Crooked River Ranch, Oregon.

Reviews

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting in the Northeast, making its way through the Midwest and Great Plains to the West Coast, and then doing a weird loop back through the Southwest, the Southeast, and all the way to Washington, D.C., poet Diane Siebert takes us across the country. Siebert wrote all these poems as she traveled to each location, and you can tell she spent a lot of time in each one. Because of this, Tour America is a great mentor text for teaching imagery and the ways we can appeal to all the senses in writing. I've never been to many of these places, and some of them I hadn't even heard of. However, through Tour America I can begin to feel like I've been with Siebert on her travels across the country.

However, this imagery piece has a downside as well. For children who haven't traveled much, and especially for newcomers to the country, these places can also be difficult to connect to. We can't expect every child to know what a gargoyle is, or even a train. There is some vocabulary in this book that would need to be pre-taught, or learned in another way and reviewed before reading, if this is a whole class book. Students who choose to read this book on their own would have to recognize that this could be a struggle and would have to work with the teacher or other resources in the classroom to figure out how to overcome this knowledge gap.

While I really do enjoy this book, I can appreciate that it wouldn't be great in every classroom. I'm not sure whether I want to spend money on this title as of yet. It's really good, but I think it may also be learner- and/or lesson-specific.

Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.

[Celia Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I had a theme for the writing unit I was planning (more on that in my review for Incredible Inventions), I decided to focus my expository poetry teaching on noun categories, or people, places, and things. I remembered working with this one for another lesson plan a while back, and thought that it would be a fun one for the idea of specific places as poetry topics.

Starting in the Northeast, making its way through the Midwest and Great Plains to the West Coast, and then doing a weird loop back through the Southwest, the Southeast, and all the way to Washington, D.C., poet Diane Siebert takes us across the country. Siebert wrote all these poems as she traveled to each location, and you can tell she spent a lot of time in each one. Because of this, Tour America is a great mentor text for teaching imagery and the ways we can appeal to all the senses in writing. I've never been to many of these places, and some of them I hadn't even heard of. However, through Tour America I can begin to feel like I've been with Siebert on her travels across the country.

Impressive illustrations by Stephen T. Johnson accompany each poem. Johnson uses a variety of paints; drawing tools; and collage materials sometimes on their own and sometimes in combination, to create unique artwork based primarily on Diane Siebert's words. This would be a great way to introduce this idea of imagery and creating an image from a piece of writing, especially if you read Johnson's introduction on how he used Siebert's writing to create his images.

However, this rich imagery piece has a downside as well. For children who haven't traveled much, and especially for newcomers to the country, these places can also be difficult to connect to. We can't expect every child to know what a gargoyle is, or even a train. There is some vocabulary in this book that would need to be pre-taught, or learned in another way and reviewed before reading, if this is a whole class book. Students who choose to read this book on their own would have to recognize that this could be a struggle and would have to work with the teacher or other resources in the classroom to figure out how to overcome this knowledge gap. For this reason, I don't necessarily recommend this book, especially for writing instruction, until at least late second grade, and probably even later. However, for students who are willing to overcome this obstacle, this could be a positive challenge.

While I really do enjoy this book, I can appreciate that it wouldn't be great in every classroom. I'm not sure whether I want to spend money on this title as of yet. It's really good, but I think it may also be learner- and/or lesson-specific.

*Read for: Elementary Writing Methods Spring 2022 - mentor text for expository nonfiction poetry for writing unit project

[Lauren Ritcey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry
Awards:
Grade Level: 3-4
Comments: I would use this book in my classroom to discuss geography and what kind of monuments are in each state. I could have the students read the entire book and then do some research on a state and write their own poem on another important aspect of the state. This book could also become a reference in the classroom for each state, and the students will be able to use it through the entire geography unit.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane Siebert and her husband spent ten years on a motorcycle trip traveling around the USA. The tent was the backdrop for much of her poetry. THis book harolds top spots from The Everglades to Mount Saint Helens, from Mount Wahington to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. The poetry sings with lyrics and rhyme, of so many places throughout this beautiful country.
A great book for one to sit and page through often, every year.
Today I was hit by the lilting beauty of The Everglades but with a warning to all Floridians, and Americans too"...And where the Everglades meet sea-/ A salty marsh of grasses-/ The mangroves, standing tree to tree,/ Spread roots in tangled masses. / But now, as humankind invades-/ Constructing, draining, clearing--/ The vital, living Everglades/ Weeps softly.../ disappearing. "

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry
Grade: 4-6

It was interesting how each landmark was represented by a poem, extra information, and art. I learned of some new places that I didn't know existed. I think the poems represented the landmark well and it would be interesting to use the map at the beginning to follow the poems on a journey across the United States. It didn't include something from every state though which was a little disappointing but you could easily use the poems while talking about different States.

[Bristol Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Poetry)
This book is great for kids to read! Has unique poems informing children about national monuments all around America! It is also an informational text, but full of poems! And loved the watercolor illustrations.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems were good, paintings were good but I don’t see my family really enjoying this. The idea of the author wandering around America and writing these poems is great but my kids would have been squirming.

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems were excellent, illustrations were not as eye-catching as I hoped they would be.

[Hampton White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hampton White A1
Book Review #4
Every state has their landmarks that they are known for. Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art by Diane Siebert, depicts them very well. It gives you a vivid picture of 25 famous landmarks and natural wonders of the United States. Not only does the book paint a picture of special areas in our country, it also describes facts and figures about those areas in a side box. Siebert did a wonderful job throughout the book including rich vocabulary, and it adds a lot to her writing. Without it, it would have been have been boring and ordinary. For example, the poem titled Mount Saint Helens Washington, features rich vocabulary; "Gone the fire, gone the roar; Mount Saint Helens sleeps once more, silent, steamless, still for now, But someday- rumble... belch... KER-PLOW!!!". The rich vocabulary enables you to be able to picture the place better in your mind and makes you feel as if you were there hearing, seeing, and experiencing the explosion for yourself. Without rich vocabulary it doesn't feel that the author put much thought into the writing, it feels as though she just looked up the reviews on YELP and copy and pasted them. (Literary Element - Rich Vocabulary)

Siebert does a good job of portraying different tones in her poems. She switches her tone many times throughout the poems, going from playful to serious. In her poem Las Vegas Nevada, she describes the thrill of spending time in Las Vegas. A good example of this is, "Las Vegas glitters in the night and shimmers in the day; She opens arms of neon light to those who come her way with hopes of placing one good bet and finding Lady Luck while playing blackjack or roulette- Well, OOPS! There goes a buck!" She portrays a care free lifestyle, which in many cases is not the best thing to portray, but it does teach a lesson of taking time for yourself occasionally. That lesson is one many people need to learn, because sometimes we get so caught up in our school and work that we forgot to take just one day a week for ourselves. She does a good job of teaching that lesson, and letting us know that life doesn't have to be all work and not play, we can have a balance of both. An example of a more serious tone is shown in the poem: Mount Rushmore South Dakota; "The impact of their lives still felt by each of us who celebrates our life in the United States." She does a good job of writing her words in a more serious way, so that you know that if she was reading it aloud to you that there would be a serious tone in her voice. Siebert does an outstanding job of using many different tones throughout the book. (Literary Element- Tone)

In conclusion Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art is a must read. The book is a quick read, coming in at 50 pages. You will get so into the book that those LONG 50 pages will pass you by without you seeing them. If your want a book to remind you of all the beautiful things we have here in our wonderful country, I definitely recommend this to you!

[Landon Rotolo-Utz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art by Diane Siebert is a FANTASTIC resource when discussing children's literature. This book really has a lot to offer its readers and listeners. The author does a great job of transporting the audience all across the country with her use of descriptive and figurative language. She used a variety of forms, lengths, and page layouts to blend each location with its features and attributes. The reader will feel the excitement as well as the hassle when reading The El in Chicago, Illinois. The great works of poetry are then matched perfectly with the illustrations by Stephen T. Johnson. Johnson also keeps things fresh by working with a number of medias. The text even goes as far to list in the back what each illustration was created with and its dimensions. Another aspect of the book I really enjoyed was the fact that each poem and illustration also comes with a list of facts or background information. For example, when reading Gargoyles the reader is presented with when and where gargoyles first originated.

I would love to use this text in my future classroom. It could be used for language arts, science, social studies/geography, and art. I in particular would love to use it for a poetry section in the middle to late elementary schools. While I love all poetry books as resources for enrichment during a read aloud I would want to use this for curricular purposes. This book covers many of the areas in the United States and therefor should relate to a large number of classroom students (depending where you teach of course). The fourth graders I'm currently working with could easily use this as a source for learning new vocabulary. This also allows the teacher to integrate numerous subjects together in a lesson or project. This matches up with many of the standards and ideas now taught through CCSS. The limits are only the teacher's imagination (and timetable).

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveling to every unique place in the United States would take a lot of time and a lot of money. For those of us who are unable to make the trip ourselves, this book of poetry and art is a pretty decent substitute. The book houses a unique set of poems, all with different rhyme schemes and many with different forms. What they have in common is that they are all about specific places in the United States and the subjects are set up in an order that would take the person on a trip around the country. Each poem is about a unique location in a state, a particular feature of a particular town. Some are obvious like the Golden Gate Bridge, others are a little obscure like the Paul Bunyon statue in Minnesota. Every poem has a unique voice and feel and does a good job of not only describing the feature but showing the reader the importance of the feature and how it works to fit into our American culture. Each poem also has a specfic piece of art dedicated to it, all done in a different format. The illustrator worked to match the art piece to the feel of each poem, which really helps to reinforce the poems underlying feeling and meaning, and gives each piece and place in the book a very unique look and feel; much like the different locations in the United States that are featured in the book. This book would be a great addition to a lesson on the 50 United States, and because of the readability of the poems and the easy flow and rhythm each one contains it would also be good for any student in grades 2-7.

[Kristina Befort · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with poetry about different landmarks in the United States, including the Washington Monument, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Badlands. The poems rhyme and flow really well, while still teaching the reader about that particular landmark. I also like that the book includes a map of where these different landmarks are, as well as a small, non-poetic snippet about the history of the landmark. This book is definitely very educational, and the kids would love to hear about some of the cool, different places in the United States. Kids that have visited these landmarks would also probably love to see a place they've been to in a poetry book. I think this would be an appropriate book for third or fourth grade age children. The poems all provide very good information, and the book could be used when teaching social studies. This is one that I would definitely love to buy and keep on hand in my classroom.

[Erin Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art by: Diane Siebert (2006) -Poetry

Tour America takes the reader, as you would expect, to some of the best spots in the United States. From the east to the west coast and many places in between the author gives vivid poetic descriptions of the landscape and manmade wonders that America has to offer. The illustrator, Stephen T. Johnson, enhances each poem with artwork in a medium that showcases each poem and location beautifully.

Themes: Travel, Culture, History, Art

Teaching Options: This book would be a great way to introduce students to the idea of linking poetry and art. This could be used in a history classroom to give new perspective to the United States. I would have the students choose a place they had traveled to and make a class book of poems and artwork.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting mix of poetry, facts and images all in celebration of America. I found the author's story to be very interesting (be sure to read the author's note) but I wish that she would have taken pictures along the way so that photographs instead of artistic representations would accompany each poem. However, I found myself googling for images as I read, which could be a neat exercise for a classroom or storytime group. Overall, I thought it was a very cool book and a good way to introduce travel to young children.

On a side note, this is a nominee for the Indiana State Children's Book Award, or Young Hoosier. I think this would have been a more appropriate nominee if Indiana were a feature in the book, but, this is not a requirement for the award.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems spanning the United States about a wide-range of different places, sights, and things you might encounter on a road trip. What I love about this collection is that there is poetry, a beautiful illustration, then a small paragraph of interesting facts and even a tiny map showing exactly where this fun landmark or sight is located in the U.S.

My favorites were "Mount Washington," "Niagara Falls," "Old Faithful," "Badlands," "Mount Saint Helens," "Vortex," "Las Vegas," Roswell," "Cadillac Ranch," and "The Washington Monument." I personally didn't like every poem in this collection, but as you can see...I liked quite a lot of them.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Genre- Poetry
2. Awards- None
3. Grade Level- 5-6
4. I could use this book of poetry when discussing the geography of the United States and also different elements of a poem. This book goes through different important geographical places in the United States, describing them in a poem, making it a great book to touch on the techniques of a poem and the geography of the United States. After going through all the poems, I could make a different list of places throughout the United States for the students to find information on and have them write their own poem about. The poems would have to incorporate the elements of the poems in the book we read.

[Alex Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Poetry

2. Awards: None

3. Grade Level: 3rd-4th

4. I would use this book in my classroom to introduce my students the concepts of poetry but also we discussed the geography of the United States. This book is made up of poems written about important national geographic landmarks in the United States. As a follow-up activity I would give my students a notable landmark such as the White House or The Golden Gate Bridge. Once they have received their landmark, I would have my students write a poem about their landmark similar to the style of poetry written in the book. This activity would help them learn about their landmarks and improve their poetry writing skills.

[Connie]

I think Tour of America: A Journey Through Poems and Art would be a wonderful read-aloud book for a social studies classroom to introduce students to travel and the continental United States. It is a tour of America via motorcycle by the author and is illustrated with artistic, colorful drawings.

To complement the book, I would ask students to select a monument of landmark in the continental United States that they have visited, or would like to visit. Then, they would write a poem about it and create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class.

[Taylor Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: A book of poems about the United States of America. In every state, it gives a poem about a famous landmark, city, or something associated with the state. Along with a poem it gives information about the thing it talked about in the poem.

Activity: An in class assignment where students will be assigned a state and they will have to decode the poem. Students will also pick out information and write a summary about what they learned.

[Natalie Hoist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It can be read to teach poetry and different styles of poems as well as be used in an art lesson. This book was packed full of information about America which could be used in a history lesson. It has amazing pictures that all used different mediums to create which makes each picture so unique! I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy, yet helpful book about America.

[Nicole Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book had lots of information in it as well as poetry. It would be a good book to keep in your classroom so that the children could learn about different sites around America. The poem "Great Salt Lake: Utah" was not only very beautiful, but gave several facts about the Great Salt Lake.

[Turrean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of poems on some famous American landmarks, accompanied by artwork by Stephen Johnson (of "Alphabet City" fame. ) Students will enjoy the story behind the book as much as the poetry: Siebert write the poems, and the accompanying snippets of information on the famous places described in verse, while on a 10-year motorcycle journey across the country.

[Jared 11-12 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems And Art was a great book. One reason it was a great book was because it reminded me of places that I have visited. Another reason it was an awesome book was because it a had a lot of cool rhyming words in it. The last reason it was a great book was because the illustrations were really cool. Tour America: A Journey Through Poems And Art was a great book.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for 5420 class

A set of poems with "matching" artwork for different natural and artistic landmarks across the United States. While not every state is represented, there is a good blend of man-made and naturally occurring sights. The rhythm and rhymes would make these poems excellent for a 5th grade US history class.

[Bill Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! This book has so many uses. The poetry is excellent, and the art work beautiful. I really like how the author/illustrator explains how she created each picture. I can't wait to share this with our art teacher.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally picked this one up because I met the artist at a symposium at BYU. Neat guy. And the book is pretty cool. I was surprised (thanks to my touristy Dad:) that I've been to many of these places! So that was cool.

[Kim Foy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing collection of poems written by a woman who toured the USA on a motorcycle.Each page depicts a different landmark including a wonderful poem, a beautiful photo, and its location on the map along with a brief description of the area or event.

[Ali Strang]

Age: 4-8
Review: This is a poetry book that allows reader to explore the different places of America. It would be great for students so they can visit new places without even going there. Students will learn about places cultures, climates, landscapes, and much more.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps better for middle school--I found it to be unappealing and stuffy for the elementary level.