A Child's First Book of American History

10 year old grandson likes to read it

This is a perfect read-aloud history textbook for homeschooling families with younger children. I'm planning to use this to teach elementary history online next year. Love the readability and love of country. Very honest view of history.

I love the hardback book with its soft paper jacket. I was hesitant because of some varied reviews, but took a leap of faith based on Cathy Duffy's recommendation. While I would not say that this book replaces a history curriculum, it does provide a beautiful accompaniment to bring dry history to life. My plan is to read one story a week to my students, as we study US history together in their other textbooks.I love that this book provides relatable and memorable stories in chronological order. It begins with Leif Erikson and ends with the birth of the nuclear age, and includes a variety of moments in history including the development of sports teams. You can expect the traditional history lens, with Lewis and Clark featured rather than Sacagawea, for example; however, it does include some diverse story lines, such as the underground railroad. The stories themselves are descriptive but not too complex: for example, in the first story of Leif Erikson, it describes narrative details like his father's hesitancy to journey forth, their surprise at Greenland's barren landscape, and eventually, their discovery of grapes in the new world. These are details that will stick in a child's mind and make the story vivid. They are told from the character's view rather than an omniscient "historical" view. All in all, a delightful companion reader to bring the past to life. Well worth the buy.

Will be using this book for 2nd grade history. I love the beautiful narrative style and artistic illustrations. A sturdy, well-made paperback. The print is fairly large and easy to read. Begins with Leif Ericson and ends with the birth of the atomic age. Gorgeous book! It arrived late (which is to be expected due to my location and postal staffing shortages), but it was well packed and in perfect condition.

Pushing back against the evil taught to kids today. this is for my grandkids

I got this for my second grader to teach her History. I notice that there is nothing in there about the Spanish Flu, but it does cover lots of subjects. Many reviews say this is not comprehensive enough, but I think they are using for 4th or 5th grade. I think it may even be more than we can do in a year, and it is a good book to use to get ideas of what to study further with YouTube videos, etc.

This book is beautifully made and I was so excited to receive it. We are Christian homeschoolers working on American History this year and I’m always on the hunt for more good books to bring that history to life.However, I found the descriptions and visual depictions of the Native Americans and others to be very disturbing. In the section on Christopher Columbus, these people were described as “childlike”, acting in “ignorance”, but “not totally unintelligent”. The art depicts European “white” men as brawny, muscular heroes and Native Americans and African Americans as less-than and subservient.I do not subscribe to anything like Critical Race Theory but I do believe that we can study history in a way that is respectful and that honors all peoples as made in the image of God. While Columbus and his men may have truly thought (in their own ignorance) that these island natives were “childlike” and “ignorant”, this book does nothing to paint those views as inaccurate opinions of the times. We live in a culture where critical thinking is missing and where race relations are literally on fire. Our children can not benefit from one-sided, unbalanced history.I do not recommend this book for these reasons.

The kids enjoy the story book style of the historical events. Probably too advanced of reading for my seven and eight year old, but they love me reading it to them.