Social Studies Poetry
Lady Liberty: A Biography
by Doreen Rappaport and Illustrated by Matt Taveres
Bibliography
Rappaport, Doreen. 2008. Lady Liberty: A Biography. Ill. by Matt Taveres. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
ISBN: 9780763625306
Book Review
After just one reading experience with Doreen Rappaport’s, Lady Liberty: A Biography, readers will be left with the same sensation and inspiration as those who traveled for weeks, risking life and limb, and arriving completely penniless, all in the name of freedom. Many children are not aware of the events leading up to the final creation of the Statue of Liberty, which sits pristine in all her beauty and authority within the New York Harbor, greeting those who hunger for a new way of life in America. Through Rappaport’s unique and awe inspiring lyrical vignettes, readers are delicately and carefully led through the vital steps that are rarely mentioned about the creation and events which led to the construction of one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
This inspirational tone which Rappaport creates within each verse leaves the reader constantly craving for more of these beautiful words. The tranquil mood and aura of the poem continually flows and generates excitement throughout the book while describing even the most delicate of decisions, such as the choice of copper covering for Lady Liberty. Rappaport’s carefully chosen words allow readers to actually hear the “rapping and banging” of the workers as they pound away on the copper to cautiously, yet meticulously mold Lady Liberty into being. The illustrations prepared by Matt Tavares accommodate each step of the sculpting process precisely. These soft classical illustrations, which are reminiscent of that era, enable children to fully fathom the immeasurable task of creating something so vast and overbearing without present day technology or large equipment. Together, author and illustrator create these impeccable visuals for children to put into their own minds of how Lady Liberty came to be.
The beautiful words written in free verse style overlay soothing granite patterns representing engravings normally carved onto monuments. Important events and dimensions of Lady Liberty are listed in a museum like fashion to further set the tone of this monumental brilliance. Readers are offered extraordinary summaries from both Rappaport and Tavares about the creative process behind this beautiful and informative book. They additionally provide a list of resources which allow readers to research the greatness of this topic even further.
Poem Excerpt
The flag falls.
Lady Liberty is visible in all her glory.
Cheering and shouting rip the air.
Roaring cannons, belching foghorns,
drumrolls, trumpet flourishes.
Arise, ye sons of France, to glory...
O say can you see...
Every part of her shouts freedom.
In one hand she holds a tablet,
engraved with July 4, 1776.
In her other hand she holds a torch.
These flames do not destroy.
Mon Americaine does not conquer with weapons.
True liberty triumphs through Truth and Justice and Law.
She wears a flowing robe
like the ancient goddess Libertas.
Her right foot is raised.
Liberty walks.
Freedom never stands still.
A broken shackle and chain lie near her feet.
America broke the links of slavery
to fulfill its promise of equality for all.
Extensions
Lady Liberty acts as a perfect addition to any unit covering famous landmarks. Students can create shorter vignettes on a landmark of their choice after gathering facts through the research process. These poems can be adhered to granite printed paper and displayed along with a diorama or model of their landmark. When generating poems, be sure to discuss how words can relay different feelings like those experienced in this book.
Rappaprt also includes the official website of the Statue of Liberty:
www.nps.gov/stli/parkmgmt/index.html.
Image Source: Amazon.com