I love history! It is my favorite subject to teach and re-learn with my girls, next to science. And more yet, American history is my favorite time period. From the Vikings to Yankee Doodle, to The Alamo, and Pearl Harbor, and everything in between, I love it all! 

This paperback book covers it all in an adventurous story tale of wars, inventions, hardship, and details the growth that it took to obtain our freedom. In fifty chapters the author tells the story of America through the lives and stories of individuals who help shape this great country of ours. With 320 pages this book retails for $26.95 and is written for children in 3rd through 7th grade.

This history book is meant to be read either independently by the student or as a read-aloud. We used it as a read-aloud during our history studies when the topic corresponded to our history programs lesson plan. I love that the stories brought the history to life so to speak. The addition of the detailed and colorful illustrations, all in hues of red, white, blue, and black (with yellow thrown in on some illustrations), just helped to enhance the already engaging stories within the pages of this book.

Anyone who wants to bring history to life should read this book to their child. Let's face it, some history textbooks are boring. This book takes history and puts it in a format so that you want to know and read more.  I know our family has taken several rabbit trails in the few short weeks we have had this book in our possession. A Child's First Book of American History would work for any student, whether in public, private, or homeschooled, and give them a thirst for knowledge of the events of history.

We study history four days a week and the addition of this book to our history curriculum has been invaluable. My girls would eagerly request that I read a story out of this book first thing in the morning if it corresponded with our topic for the week. Some weeks I read the same story for many days in a row, but no one seemed to mind at all. 

The font used in the book was easily readable and large enough that it did not strain my eye. Each page has two columns and illustrations are scatter throughout. I am not sure if this book is available in hardcover format or not, but it definitely needs to be, because I know we will be getting lots of use of this book!

Have you ever found something that you didn't know you needed? This book is that for our homeschool. I know we will be using this book for many years to come as we cycle through our four-year history cycle. A Child's First Book of American Historyis great for giving your student a story like tale of the events that shaped America as it is today.

—Product review by Jacquelin Caffey, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March, 2016