The Star-Spangled Banner: America’s National Anthem

PreS-Gr 1–“The Star-Spangled Banner” is illustrated in this lovely book. Beginning with an eye-catching spread of a rippling American flag, each stanza is brought to life on subsequent pages with images depicting the scene. There is a quiet fort for readers to consider, then ships gathering in the ­harbor and rockets and bombs fired at the fort from the ships. However, as goes the song, through all the fighting and turmoil, the flag is a constant, tattered presence, spurring the fighters to keep going. A vignette of famous heroes stand in front of the American flag at the very end, showing that just as it continues to fly, people continue to live with these cherished ideals. The story is familiar but not to the board book set. The illustrations are visually appealing with vibrant colors in oil or acrylic on canvas and watercolor on paper. ­