The Declaration of Independence: The Words That Made America

AUTHOR: Sam Fink
ILLUSTRATOR: Sam Fink

From the Publisher:

Taken phrase by phrase, inscribed and illustrated, these most famous words ring as true today as they did more than 200 years ago.

The Declaration of Independence is considered to be one of the greatest documents of all time. The central section of the declaration is a ringing assertion that every human being has an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Now in paperback, here is the complete Declaration of Independence beautifully hand-lettered and decorated. Almost every section is highlighted on its own page, with its meaning enhanced by imaginative drawings and sketches appropriate to the all-important words they complement, making the sometimes difficult language clear to any reader.

Leah’s Thoughts:

This one’s definitely geared toward older kids, but it’s a really unique way to experience the actual text of the Declaration. Sam Fink breaks it down line by line, pairing each phrase with illustrations that bring the meaning to life. It’s not a storybook. It’s more of a visual walk through history, and it works especially well as a read-together book if your kids are curious about the “why” behind Independence Day. Definitely one I pull out each year as part of our July stack.