America the Beautiful - Hardcover

Katharine Lee Bates was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts on August 12, 1859. In the summer of 1893, she embarked on an extensive tour of America, from Niagara Falls, to the World's Fair in Chicago, and ultimately to Pike's Peak near Colorado Springs. It was from this vantage point that she was inspired to write the first drafts of America the Beautiful. First published on July 4, 1895 by The Congregationalist, the poem underwent 2 more revisions to become the version we know today.

Chris Galls's love for all things American, as well as his desire to honor his familial heritage gave him the inspiration to create America the Beautiful, his first book. He has received over 50 major awards from the likes of the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts Magazine, The New York Art Directors Club, and Print Magazine. He lives with his wife, Ann, in Tucson, Arizona.

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-7. The song "America the Beautiful" gets a striking treatment from illustrator Gall, who opens with an introduction to the words, which were written as a poem in 1893 by 24-year-old Bates. The words were set to several different pieces of music, until, finally, a tune, written many years earlier, became the accepted version. Just as those who hear the song feel inspired by the patriotic sentiments, children will be stirred by Gall's pictures. Using hand engraving on clay-covered board and enhancing elements such as color with a computer, he offers a series of pictures resembling woodcuts in form and WPA paintings in style. The images celebrate the history and beauty of the U.S. as they link to the lyrics. "God shed His grace on thee" is illustrated by a bird's-eye view of a snow-covered town with a church spire in a prominent position. The relatively obscure second verse offers opportunities for artwork featuring immigrants coming to America, and a picture of the Tuskegee Airmen accompanies a line about heroes. A key at the book's conclusion has postage-size reproductions of all the artwork along with brief descriptions. Gall is a distant relative of Katharine Bates; he does her work proud. Ilene Cooper
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