In the preface to this extraordinarily beautiful picture book, Chris Gall writes:

More than one hundred years ago, in 1893, a young poet named Katharine Lee Bates sat high atop Colorado's Pike's Peak and was overcome by the vast beauty and unlimited potential of a young nation . . . Inspiration turned to words, and thus "America the Beautiful" was born.

The poem was eventually set to music, and has become a revered national treasure.

Double-page spreads are found throughout. On the left-hand page, a line of verse is printed in large, italicized text. A bordered, full-page piece of artwork graces the right-hand page. The hand-engraved illustrations, reminiscent of woodcuts, are awash in golden yellows, blues, greens, and browns.

Gall has done a superb job of pairing the artwork with the lines of verse. "O beautiful for heroes proved / In liberating strife," for example, is accompanied by a picture of a World War II plane manned by Tuskegee airmen. "And crown thy good with brotherhood / From sea to shining sea!" sits opposite an illustration of Sacajawea in a canoe, helping the Lewis and Clark expedition navigate the Missouri River.

Classroom Uses: While perfect for one-on-one reading or sharing with a group, consider this title also for the upper-elementary and middle grades. The illustrations, historical in nature, would make wonderful writing prompts.

Reviewed by the teachers at Education Oasis.