How to Build Your Own Country (CitizenKid)

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"

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