Normal Rockwell--You're a Grand Old Flag

Cohen and Rockwell, iconoclastic lyrics and artwork, is what you get in this volume put together by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

I saw it on the bookshelf at our local library and brought it along, with a pile of other books, on a middlin' length car trip. The children (currently 7 and 9) picked it up and began singing the song right away. I watched in the rearview mirror as they perused the images. It kept their attention for some time which definitely gets it some positive marks.

Considerations:::
This is a physically well done book. The pages are thick, sturdy and semi-gloss, and each one of Rockwell's pictures is given it's own page.

While much of the art has kid-appeal, there are pictures that younger children will not understand. The World War II imagery, for example, will be something they will most likely have to have explained.

Overall, I wish more correlation had been possible between the art and the lyrics, but I suppose that neither artist had the other in mind when he worked. "The home of the free and the brave", for example, accompanies Rockwell's "No Swimming" --which shows some boys running in various stages of undress in front of a no swimming sign.

Despite this small drawback, You're a Grand Old Flag remains an excellent way to introduce Rockwell's art to youngsters. I don't think though, that I can recommend this book for the homeshelves.


Reading Level: I did not find the AR number for this book. But did find a reference to Cohen's lyrics that states that "Grand Old Flag" is at the 3.2 reading level. (2nd month of 3rd Grade)