America the Beautiful

AUTHOR: Katharine Lee Bates
ILLUSTRATOR: Chris Gall

From the Publisher:

From his unique perspective as the great, great grandnephew of “America the Beautiful” writer, Katharine Lee Bates, Chris Gall transforms this beloved patriotic song into monumental works of art–from purple mountain majesties to gleaming alabaster cities. Honoring his ancestry and national pride, Gall pairs the beautiful lyrics with striking illustrations of notable American images such as Pike’s Peak, the Tuskgee Airmen, and firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero.

Leah’s Thoughts:

This is one of the most visually striking patriotic books we’ve read. Chris Gall takes his great-great-aunt’s lyrics of “America the Beautiful” and makes them stand out with his illustrations. Each page is full of movement and detail, featuring a rich, almost vintage palette that evokes a celebration of both past and present. There’s also a historical note about each page’s artwork, which adds thoughtful depth for older readers.