Are your kids learning the fundamentals of what makes America the greatest country in the world at school? In a time when fewer and fewer schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, it is doubtful. Amelia Hamilton’s publishing debut, One Nation Under God: A Book for Little Patriots, gives children an engaging history lesson and introduction to our government covering everything from the Bill of Rights to The Statue of Liberty.
“The people can govern, that’s what Jefferson said.
We don’t need a king, we don’t need to be led.
Put America’s future in Americans’ hands.
We can decide for ourselves in this wonderful land. “
My son has a Ronald Reagan action figure (okay, maybe it’s not an action figure but I refuse to call it a doll) in his room along with Navy SEAL posters and plenty of little green army men. He plays with toy guns and wears camouflage pants and says “Semper fi” to any Marine we come across in an airport or at Costco. We’re not exactly the typical family you might find on the west side of Los Angeles. So you can see why this is the kind of book I can feel good about reading with my son.
Hamilton’s poems cover the basics of congress, the three branches of government and the Supreme Court through clever and charming poems that are unabashedly patriotic. I read them all to my son who seemed to like “Five Branches in Our Military” the best.
“Five branches fight to keep us free.
To protect us and our liberty.”
Wouldn’t you be happy if your kid was reciting that around the house? My favorite is “Seven Rays on the Statue of Liberty.” I was born in Jersey City, NJ, in the shadow of Lady Liberty. I would see her while driving on the NJ Turnpike or down the west side highway and remember how people all over the world only dream of seeing that beacon of hope. When I read Hamilton’s words, On her crown, those seven rays remind Americans every day that on seven lands and seven seas many still are not yet free, I remembered how I never tried to take her for granted. Hopefully there will be a new generation of Americans that understands her significance.
I can see parents and grandparents reading these at bedtime or on the front porch. The illustrations are adorable and will spark as much conversation as the poems. Please visit ameliahamilton.com to purchase a copy for your child or any other budding constitutional scholar you may know.