How to Build Your Own Country

by Valerie Wyatt, Fred Rix

Overview

A unique and informative book to inspire kids to build their own country, complete with a constitution, borders, a national anthem and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771386463
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	08/01/2009
Series:	CitizenKid Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	733,734
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Valerie Wyatt is an award-winning author more than 14 nonfiction books, many of them about science. She also writes on historical topics and, from time to time, picture books.;Karen Fredericks' illustrations have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times and Scientific American. She works from her home in the Hamptons.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3–5—Wyatt takes a lighthearted approach to her subject, which is interspersed with real facts, dates, and occurrences. She outlines three main steps: "Stake Out Your Identity," "Run the Country," and "Meet the Neighbors." Fifteen small sections under the main headings discuss naming the country, choosing a motto, setting up a government, elections, constitution, laws, money, holidays, and more. Youngsters will enjoy the color illustrations and humor throughout. A matching activity, U-Name-It, will undoubtedly cause lots of laughter. Kids can make up passports for their imaginary country, and a labeled illustration shows all parts of the document. Creating a flag (in three steps) is another project to tap readers' artistic abilities. There's even a "Fill-in-the-blanks National Anthem" sung to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Various forms of government are explained—democracy, oligarchy, theocracy, single-party rule—along with a color cartoon of a beheaded monarch. The role of the United Nations is briefly touched upon, including the Blue Berets. A brief glossary defines globalization, political party, taxes, and more.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

... will be a perfect resource for kids working on class projects, as well as an entertaining read on a subject that will interest any youngster who ever wondered what it would be like to be in charge of an entire nation.—Quill & Quire

Youngsters will enjoy the color illustrations and humor throughout.—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

... will be a perfect resource for kids working on class projects, as well as an entertaining read on a subject that will interest any youngster who ever wondered what it would be like to be in charge of an entire nation.

Quill & Quire