(2) K-3 During the War of 1812, Baltimore business owner Mary Pickersgill and her seamstresses were commissioned to create a huge, thirty-by-forty-two-foot flag. The flag survived a crucial British attack in 1814, which poet Francis Scott Key immortalized in verse. Hartland's straightforward account clearly explains important facts and asks questions that engage readers. Her folksy gouache illustrations playfully reflect our then-new nation and incorporate speech-balloon dialogue. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Berry. During the War of 1812, thirteen-year-old flag-maker's daughter Caroline Pickersgill helped stitch her first flag, which flew at Fort McHenry when the British attacked. Francis Scott Key's poem (now our national anthem) immortalized the flag. Fulton's rhythmically paced prose subtly echoes the poem's lines (appended). Berry's striking collaged block prints with colored pencil contrast thick black lines with bold, patriotic colors. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Our American Symbols series. Illustrated by Kyle Poling. Framed by purposeful stories set in classrooms with diverse students, these books explore national landmarks and symbols while also providing synopses of the various related American history topics and trivia inquisitive young historians will enjoy. Slick, cartoony illustrations contribute to the series' chipper tone. Each book includes an activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our American Symbols titles: Can We Ring the Liberty Bell?, Can You Sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"?, Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?, What Is Inside the Lincoln Memorial?, Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?, and Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Richard Walz. Kulling relates the events that led to Francis Scott Key's writing the national anthem. Concise, easy-to-read sentences that won't overwhelm new readers provide much information about Key's life and the events before and during the War of 1812. The inconsistently cartoony illustrations are an odd match for the straightforward historical account. An appended note offers additional details about the famous flag.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. Each book in this series gives a brief overview of an event that had a lasting and profound effect on U.S. history. The books vary in quality--some more informative and interesting than others--but all are sketchy, lacking in detail. Sidebars, boxed quotes, photographs, and drawings enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Atom Bomb Project, The Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention, The Writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", The Oregon Trail, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Scottsboro Case.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Symbols of America series. The books in this series do a good job of presenting history in an accessible and interesting manner, making them useful resource material for homework assignments. Star-shaped sidebars of additional information effectively extend the text. The books are illustrated with archival reproductions and contemporary photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Symbols of America titles: The American Flag, The Fourth of July, The Liberty Bell, The Star-Spangled Banner, The Statue of Liberty, and The White House.]

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 America in Words and Songs series. These slight books trace the roots of two nineteenth- century poems/songs that continue to have meaning today. America profiles the poet and the composer behind the song. Banner discusses Francis Scott Key's experiences during the War of 1812 that led to his penning the national anthem. Plenty of archival photos accompany the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these America in Words and Songs titles: America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner.]

Reviewer: Sharon Korbeck