We the Kids

by David Catrow

The Barnes & Noble Review
Remember sitting in elementary school trying to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution? Remember how baffling it was? The words were big, they didn't make a lot of sense, and how they applied to your life wasn't too clear. Lucky for us, award-winning book illustrator and political cartoonist David Catrow has taken the most important introduction in our country's history and made it easy to understand in a hilarious, inspiring new book.

We the Kids follows three adorable youngsters and one remarkable dog as they get ready for a camping adventure in the great outdoors. What makes this adventure different is that it is told through the Preamble. Just as the historical document starts out with "We the People of the United States," we're introduced to the children and their energetic pooch friend, who is standing by with a gargantuan, overloaded backpack. As the Preamble goes on, then, so does the story: They find themselves forming a More Perfect Union by finding their camping site, promoting the General Welfare by telling stories around a campfire, and securing the blessings of Liberty by settling down for a good night's sleep -- all in the backyard under the watchful eyes of two parents.

With bright watercolor illustrations and sweet, cartoonlike characters, Catrow provides an entertaining story that brings the Preamble to life. The dog's actions throughout the book are truly sidesplitting, but they also explain to young readers each line of the Preamble. A fun introduction from Catrow called "Big Words, Big Ideas.&quot and a line-by-line explanation of the Preamble add to the book's pleasures.

For school reports and American holiday celebrations, this is one book young historians won't want to miss. (Matthew Warner)

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

David Catrow's favorite subject in school was math. Why? Well, Mr. Hirsch's class was where Catrow did some of his best drawings! Catrow's zany illustrations have illuminated over 30 books for kids, and his editorial cartoons are syndicated in more than 900 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. Not bad for someone who started out as a pre-med major at Kent State and later worked as a paramedic for ten years. During this time Catrow also worked as a freelance artist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon-Journal. Art finally emerged as his definitive career, and he's never stopped since.

This amusing illustrator and his wife, Deborah, live in Ohio and have two children. When asked what would be the one thing he would like to learn to do, Catrow replied that he'd like to learn to catch a Frisbee with his teeth! It's this same offbeat sense of humor that truly colors his art. There's no doubt that Catrow's work has brought chuckles, smiles and even smirks to the young and old.

(Scholastic authors)

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book of the preamble to the Constitution. Good review. Cartoonish pictures. Great one-timer for us.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my fifth grade students as an introduction to the Constitution. The illustrations are adorable and the students were engaged in the discussion of what each part of the preamble means.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This weekend, I prepared for my first lesson to deliver to my U.S. History Teacher Methods class (HIST 4418). I am given the topic of Equality and I am to use the primary source, the U.S. Constitution. The lesson is only ten minutes, so at first I found it quite difficult to put something extravagant together. But then, I remembered all the picture books I read over the summer and how much I was able to pull from them in a short amount of time. I began some research and found, We the Kids by David Catrow.

The words of the book are the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. The illustrations, make this document come alive. It is through these pictures, students will come to understand the meaning of the introduction and have a few giggles. To assess the understanding of the preamble, students will use their own words or pictures to describe the individual portions on a graphic organizer I created.

In addition, I have created a presentation to use with the book. In my 5th grade mock lesson, this is part of the background knowledge listed for the students. Each portion of the preamble has been translated into kid friendly language. This would be an incredible activity to complete with the class, have them discuss each phrases meaning and look up the words in the thesaurus to find words in which they can comprehend.

The idea is to read the book, show the illustrations created by David Catrow, and provide the kid friendly language up on the screen. These verbal and visual clues will assist students to comprehend the portion of the constitution we are studying and will be able to show understanding on the graphic organizer. Then, students will be prepared to learn who the people are in the phrase, "We the People" and how this word has evolved over time through the amendments made to the Constitution. Students will then be able to begin to process the concept of equality in both our history and what it means today.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We The Kids," by David Catrow is an informational picture book about the preamble of constitution. This book is told by a former student who is now an adult. He discusses the first time the constitution was introduced to him in fifth-grade and how boring it was to hear about all of the rules told in the more historic-english. He shares with the reader a broken down, more understandable version of the rules within the pages. There are also sections of the book in which the author shares vocabulary and its corresponding definitions. The illustrations of the book contribute to the overall goal of the text. The goal is to present the preamble in a way that relates to children. It is meant to engage them and capture their attention and focus. The illustrations help that along, because it provides depictions of the different aspects of the historical document. One illustration shows the founding fathers drawn as children. I think this book does a wonderful job of introducing the constitution, specifically the preamble, to students because it is something they can enjoy reading about. It is one of those texts that allows you to learn, without knowing you are learning. I can also picture many activities to go along with this book. This piece of children's literature will definitely have a place on my classroom bookshelf!

[Leighanna Wright]

Summary: We the Kids portrays a story of children who want to make a difference in their community. The children replicate the different sections of the Preamble. With each new page comes a new picture of how the children are writing out their own preamble to the Constitution.

Evaluation: Based on the illustrations used in this book, the author is very enthusiastic about the preamble and constitution. The illustrations in We the Kids helps extend the information so students can better understand the preamble. For example, on page 4 the words say "provide for the common defense." If students do not understand these words they can look at the picture of the dog that is behind a fort and is protecting the children.


Teaching Ideas: I would use this book as a read aloud for students of all ages. This would be a great way to introduce the students to the preamble and the constitution. The students could also use the pictures to learn how to make inferences. For example, there is a photo of a dog that is protecting the children. The teacher could ask the student what they infer the dog is doing.

[Hayden Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

We The Kids is a book that states the preamble to the constitution of the United States of America. It tells the story of three kids and their dog on a camping trip, wanting to make a difference in their community. Each page of the book contains a new picture as to how the children are writing out their own preamble. For example, they find themselves forming a more perfect union by finding their camping site. This book could be very beneficial for older elementary students are are starting to learn about the preamble of the constitution for the first time. The illustrations were one of the most important parts to this book because the authors use of watercolor and the cartoon like characters more of an interesting story line for students to read. Not only are the words of the preamble telling the story, but so are these amazing illustrations! I would recommend this to older readers and for a story time discussion with the class so that the teacher can also make it a lesson rather than students reading it individually first so there is no confusion.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, I love David Catrow’s art. His characters are cute, coloring superb, and scenery fantastic. However, his foreword is part of the problem the US has making these generalizations that the Constitution was built by this brilliant group of equally-represented citizens. The freedoms they spoke of were for white men, not women and not people of color. The men were voted in ONLY by other educated, wealthy, white men. There’s also no mention of how much of the population at that time was enslaved and the Constitution upheld that institution. It’s a false narrative and I’m tired of it.

“…Written down by people like you and me.” What a slap in the face.

Having grown up with the ever memorialized creators of the USA, and learning as an adult who was in the room writing these documents and whose voice mattered, I just can’t stand these oversimplified words anymore. There’s a way you could accurately explain the historical context in a more sensitive, realistic way for children. I’d gladly volunteer to do so.

[Emily Revelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, it is the preamble of the United States Constitution. The illustrations on each page, and the forward helps to explain what this means to children or even all readers.

I rated this book 5 stars because I thought this was a great idea for a book in the first place! Imagine students having to learn this without knowing what it means. In the forward, the author explains what it means to him and also breaks down each verse/phrase of the preamble in kid friendly terms. Then he gives the official preamble with drawings anyone can follow!

I would use this to teach a social studies lesson on the Constitution or civil rights! I would even let my students draw their version or write their version of the words once we have read the story once and are reading it a second time. I love that the author took the real version and broke it into friendly terms so he could understand it. I think this would be easier for everyone to understand!

[Rebecca Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We the Kids" follows the story of three children and their dog on a camping trip. Each spread has a sentence from the Preamble to the Constitution written on it. Written by a former student, now an adult, who did not understand the "big words" in the Constitution when learning about it, David Catrow gives a list of what the "big words and ideas" mean. Throughout the book, the illustrations show the kids making their own preamble and acting out what the real US Preamble states.

I thought this book was super cute! I loved how the author explained how uninterested he was in school when learning about the Preamble. He said it was because of the big words and ideas, that is one of the reasons he chose to write this book. I also enjoyed the illustrations in this book, they were cartoonish and kind of exaggerated, so it made it engaging to look at.

I would use this in my classroom to introduce the Preamble and help students better understand what the words truly mean in the Preamble.

[Mason Crayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

We the Kids by David Catrow is a book that shows The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. In the 5th grade I had to memorize this which I used a catchy tune/song to help me so I think this book also would have helped me as well. On the first page, it have the Preamble broken down line by line but then explained what each line means so it makes sense when you say it all together which I think helps majorly just alone. When you turn the page, it starts the Preamble by saying "we the people of the united states" and then the whole two-page spread is a fun cartoon-y illustration of showing the people of the united states and the whole book goes on to show this until it reaches the end of the Preamble. If I taught the fifth grade, I would definitely have this in my classroom when we started talking about the Constitution.

[Isabella Williams]

This picture book goes over the preamble of the US constitution for children. This book follows three children and their dog while they are on a camping adventure in their backyard. The dog is probably the most important character in the story due to his actions that directly explain and correlate to each line in the preamble.

I really enjoyed how engaging this book is for people of all ages.I reread it a couple of times because I didn’t realize what the point of the dog was until my first read through. I would use this in a classroom setting in many different ways. I would use this as a read aloud when going over the constitution because of how accessible it is for kids to understand. I would also have this book in a spotlight area for kids to reread and look through whenever they would like or when they need to refresh their memory on the preamble of the constitution.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally just states the Preamble of the Constitution. It does not add anything except illustrations. The illustrations are kids living out what is being said. You see them creating fair rules, setting up a place to live, and defending that place.
I love this book due to that it does not add anything with words but gives kids a new perspective of what it means in their lives. The illustrations are amazing and hilarious.
I would use this in a government class. This is a great way to introduce the preamble before going more in depth. Plus, students will love looking at the pictures and determining what it means in their lives.

[Corri Moran]

The preamble to the constitution is explained for kids (and adults!) in this thought-provoking book. Children can learn how the constitution plays a role in out lives today and our futures. This book will inspire discussion and supplement lessons on the Constitution and the rights of citizens.

I think this is a great way to help kids understand history, especially such a vital part of ours. I love that the book includes both what is written and what it means, along with a glossary. This is a great classroom text!

This book would pair well with What is the Constitution?

This book can be used when discussing civil rights.

[Corinne Pettry · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We the Kids" is a book breaking down the Preamble and the Constitution of the United States to children. Learning about our government is so very important and this book does a phenomenal job at doing so. This informational story book as an intro to teaching government is great to grab attention before doing an activity related to government.

I gave this book 5 stars because of its many uses and many doors it opens for lesson plans. David Catrow also does a great job at choosing very easily understood vocabulary and creates very detailed and bright illustrations. This book will definitely be a book I incorporate into my lessons later on when I become a teacher.

[Katie Louwers · Rating 4 out of 5]

We The Kids," by David Catrow is an informational picture book. This book is told by a former student who is now an adult. He discusses the first time the constitution was introduced to him in fifth-grade and how boring it was. He shares with the reader a broken down, more understandable version of the rules within the pages.The illustrations of the book contribute to the overall goal of the text. The goal is to present the preamble in a way that relates to children. It is meant to engage them and capture their attention and focus.

[Montana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just used this book to teach my 5th graders the preamble... alongside the Schoolhouse Rock song! They loved using both and analyzing the meaning of those “big” words. They enjoyed it so much that they began singing the song to and from recess. I guess that’s one at to make sure your lesson sticks! I love that this book gives a break down of the meanings of the phrases at the beginning of the book. It really seemed to make a difference for my kiddos.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

D. Catrow takes a look at the preamble to the U.S. Constitution and breaks it down, illustrates it, and presents it in such a way that kids of all ages can understand and appreciate the simple, yet mighty words of our country's founding fathers and their representative principles. This one's in the LFL care of Eliot and Olive.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no problem including the books I read with my kids. I read them, I study them. It absolutely counts.

I loved this book. I have taught the Constitution to previous students and I wish I had this book then. Don't skip the authors note and the beginning. Don't just read the words and skim over the illustrations. It was inspiring, and really helped jump start our unit.

[Elizabeth Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One out of twenty five books my daughter and I ordered at her most recent school book sale event. An excellent book that breaks down big concepts into bite-sized pieces that kids of all ages can appreciate and understand.

[Makaila Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Catrow made the preamble of the Constitution of the United States into a picture book. On each page you find the next phrase in the preamble with illustrations that allow children to put meaning to all of those big words!

[Mary Peble · Rating 4 out of 5]

My toddler loves this book; consequently I've read it so many times that I will never, ever forget the preamble to the Constitution. This book is a lighthearted way for anyone to learn the preamble. The pictures are comical and yet relate well to the words.

[Katie Wilkerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to read to 2nd graders on constitution day. It is about the preamble to the constitution. It has adorable, vibrant illustrations, information for the instructor at the front, and very few words throughout the story.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great social studies use. States the Preamble to the Constitution but tells a side story illustrating big ideas using clever illustrations. Also provides great definitions of big words and ideas using simple language for children.

[Caitlyn Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

We the Kids by David Catrow is an informative children's book that will help young children to understand and remember the preamble to our Constitution of the United States. The illustrations are excellent, it is straight to the point, and is very enjoyable to read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pictures, engaging presentation. The definitions at the beginning were really helpful for me in explaining what things meant to my first grader. Overall a good read, but we don’t need our own copy.

[Renee Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book for young children who are learning about the Preamble to the US Constitution. The book takes each part of the preamble and provides an illustration for each part that tells a story.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some adults could take a little reading of this, too!

[Sara Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun introduction to the preamble of The US Constitution.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book with silly illustrations that explains the big words in the preamble of the constitution.

[Allie Gregoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

elementary school book about constitution