School Library Journal

Series Review
Simple explanations, an engaging tone, and repetition work together to teach readers about the steps involved in seeing important American ideas and processes through to completion and implementation. From the historical moments that led to these concepts to contemporary views and implications, the information is always age-appropriate and just enough to be thorough without being overwhelming. As events unfold, a running time line at the bottom of each spread summarizes the steps in the process. Plentiful full-color pictures, paintings, and maps include captions that reinforce what readers learned in the text (for example, the role of a committee may be talked about in the text, the time line, and the picture’s caption). The bright color palette, strong shapes, uncluttered pages, and frequent exclamations (But wait! Good news! Hooray!) all keep these volumes lively and easily readable. A great choice for young readers just learning about these key concepts, processes, and documents.