FOR SPACIOUS SKIES
KATHERINE LEE BATES AND THE INSPIRATION FOR "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL"
by
Nancy Churnin
illustrated by Olga Baumert
Picture Book Biography / Women's Suffrage / Woman Poet
illustrated by Olga Baumert
Picture Book Biography / Women's Suffrage / Woman Poet
Number of Pages: 32
***Scroll down for the giveaway!***
PRAISE for For Spacious Skies:
“Churnin tells that story in a spare and lively text beautifully complemented by double-page spreads highlighting Baumert’s gorgeous panoramic illustrations . . . A handsome volume befitting its subject.”—Kirkus Reviews
"The story ends on a high note in 1920, with Bates casting her ballot after the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted voting rights to women . . . The richly colored, nicely composed artwork will help children visualize the period setting while enjoying the portrayals of Bates and beautiful landscapes. A picture-book biography of a notable American.”—Booklist
“Nancy Churnin has written a delightful book that helps children understand the many dimensions of my great-aunt Katharine Lee Bates. This book does an excellent job conveying her ardent passion for equal rights and for her country. She was a poet, a professor, and a world traveler, but she was first and foremost a citizen who loved America, in all its beauty and diversity.”—Katharine Lee Holland
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For Spacious Skies by Nancy Churnin is a beautiful story of the life of Katharine Lee Bates, the author of one of the most famous songs in American history. Although initially written as a poem, "America the Beautiful" was revised several times before becoming the iconic song that it is today. Much of this story is not just about the birth of this song, but the rebirth of the role of women from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Katharine was a writer whose words made a difference during a time when women were only expected to become a good wife, homemaker, and mother. But Katharine wanted more. She eventually became a professor and wrote many books, essays, and poems. After the publication of "America the Beautiful," people from all over the country wrote to her expressing their thanks. Her legacy continued as she fought not only for the rights of women but also spoke up for the poor and for peace across the world.
Churnin did an excellent job detailing the events of Katharine's life. Even without the pictures, you can get a sense of what it was like for Katharine growing up during this time in history. The research done by the author was thorough and presented in a way that would be easily remembered by the audience. Churnin's writing style makes this a perfect read-aloud for 4th grade and up!
Illustrated beautifully by Olga Baumert, the painted drawings capture the simplistic lifestyle of the 1860s and yet highlight the key points in Katharine's life that eventually led to her penning one of the most patriotic songs of our time. The colors and details of each building, mountain, person or hillside really capture the beauty of the land and people in it.
Although created in picture book format, For Spacious Skies is written for older audiences who will understand the topics of women's suffrage in the mid to late 1800s. However, it can be read to a younger audience (10 and up) by an adult who can explain the roles and expectations of women during this time period.
For Spacious Skies is not just a story about how the song "America the Beautiful" came to be, but how the perseverance of Katharine Lee Bates inspired a nation of women who wanted more - more out of life, more out of their country, and especially more out of themselves. An inspirational story from start to finish! A great addition to your school or public library!
5 Hearts!
💖💖💖💖💖
Nancy Churnin is the award-winning author of eight picture book biographies with a ninth due in 2021.
Beautiful Shades of Brown, The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring is A Mighty Girl pick that will be featured at the 2020 Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee in May. The William Hoy Story, a Texas 2X2 pick, has been on multiple state reading lists. Manjhi Moves a Mountain is the winner of the 2018 South Asia Book Award and a Junior Library Guild selection. Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank is on the 2020 Notable Book for a Global Society list from the International Literacy Association. Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing is a 2019 Sydney Taylor and National Council for the Social Studies Notable.
Nancy graduated cum laude from Harvard, has a master's from Columbia, and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband, Dallas Morning News arts writer Michael Granberry, their dog named Dog, and two cantankerous cats.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS
ONE WINNER receives signed copies of both For Spacious Skies and Beautiful Shades of Brown
TWO WINNERS each receive a signed copy of For Spacious Skies
ONE WINNER receives signed copies of both For Spacious Skies and Beautiful Shades of Brown
TWO WINNERS each receive a signed copy of For Spacious Skies
April 16-26, 2020
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I love books like this that are flexible in how they can be used with teaching kids and are beautiful experiences to read. Thanks for the review!
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