I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
Note: This book review was created for a class at TWU

Book Review: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Martin, Bill Jr. and Michael Sampson. 2002.I PLEDGE ALLIEGIANCE. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763616486


2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this colorful picture book, whimsically illustrated by Chris Raschka, children's book author Bill Martin, Jr., and literacy expert Michael Sampson guide children through the meaning behind the words of the Pledge of Alliegiance. Along the way, the authors offer insight into the history and background of the words every school-aged child knows by heart. Each page defines and illustrates one or two words from the Pledge, reveals the symbolism of the flag, and details the historic dates associated with our flag and the Pledge itself. The final pages include the Pledge in its entirety, along with some thoughts on what the United States of America stands for, what the American flag symbolizes, and how these abstract concepts connect to the lives of children.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Bill Martin, Jr., famed author of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? joins Michael Sampson to tackle the Pledge of Allegiance with insight and creativity, while avoiding didacticism and over-simplification. The authors define such difficult terms as allegiance, "Allegiance is loyalty," and indivisible "Indivisible means unbreakable - our country cannot be split into separate parts." At each key concept, they pause to elaborate, as in the case of indivisible, "No matter how much we might disagree about some things, we all agree on one thing: we are strongest when we stick together and help each other out." The language is precise and fresh, breathing life back into words that have become an exercise in rote memorization for many. Through this book, young and old will discover the beauty of Francis Bellamy's words and the depth of meaning underpinning them.

Chris Raschka's illustrations complement and reinforce the text in this book beautifully. Mixed-media pictures, using torn paper and watercolor, function to visually extend the meanings of the words defined on each page. For example, the text definition for pledge reads, "A pledge is a promise." A promise is still an abstract concept, but with the help of Raschka's playful watercolor sketch of two people clasping hands, highlighted by a square of red paper for the background behind the clasped hands, the abstract becomes concrete. Near the end of the book, Raschka uses the same torn squares of paper in a myriad of colors to represent "all." Each square contains an understated sketch of a face, with the merest of brushstrokes indicating hair, eyes, and expression. Yet each is so different that the reader is drawn in to examine every one carefully.

Even the authors' notes on back flap of the dust jacket are insightful. Each gives a quote responding to what the Pledge means to him. Bill Martin, Jr. calls it "the most beautiful chain of language I know," while, surprisingly, Chris Raschka comments that his parents "have always respectfully refused to recite the Pledge..." and that he was drawn to the project because in America, "we each have the freedom to choose, including the freedom to choose whether or not to say the Pledge."

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Raschka's eye-catching and appealing illustrations done in ink and torn paper add interest and lightness to the pages."
Starred Review in BOOKLIST: "Finally, here's a picture book that helps young children move beyond rote recitation of the Pledge to find meaning in its language."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Although this book is primarily aimed at children aged K-4, the abstract concepts in the book and the engaging presentation would make it a great springboard for discussion in both 8th and 11th grade U.S. History classes.
*Collect other books illustrated by Chris Raschka, winner of the Caldecott Award. Look at how he adapts his artistic style to fit the content of the book, from Dylan Thomas's A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES to his most recent effort, A KICK IN THE HEAD: AN EVERYDAY GUIDE TO POETIC FORMS.
*Other books for children about the American flag and the American spirit:
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. THE FLAG MAKER. ISBN 0618267573
Celebrating America (ed.). A COLLECTION OF POEMS AND IMAGES OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT. ISBN 0399220364