Reviews
"It really touched my heart that this book was made to teach children the proper way to care for our flag. My son loved the book and said, "Look it's daddy and that's me!"
A Sailor's Wife
(Military Blogger)
"There are many who gave their all for our flag and the freedom it represents. This story honors their sacrifices on our behalf. Thank you for creating a story that carries this legacy on to the next generation in a way that can reach them."
Jim Besso
Chaplain of the American Legion Post 79
"I love that my son is able to see himself in the book."
A Sailor's Wife
(Military Blogger)
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
It is the weekend and Miguel wants to play hoops with his best friend Sam. As Miguel fetches Sam from his house, he has to wait for Sam to put up the American flag outside their house. Miguel notices the flag is torn. The flag reminds Miguel of his dad who is a Marine and is away on military duties. After the game, Miguel mentions the torn flag to Sam’s parents. Sam’s parents agree to buy a new flag but in honor of Miguel’s dad. They also plan to hold a retirement ceremony for the flag at the beach the following weekend, when Miguel’s dad would be home. Find out how the retirement ceremony of the flag is done in Karen Bowen’s The Worn-Out Flag: A Patriotic Children's Story of Respect, Honor, Veterans, and the Meaning Behind the American Flag.
Karen Bowen’s The Worn-Out Flag is just what you should be looking for if you love children’s educational picture books. With an interesting plot, Karen ingeniously teaches kids almost everything they need to know about the American flag, briefly diving into its history and significance. The colorful images complement the text, making it easy to follow and understand the story. Karen’s thoughtful choice of words will enrich your child’s vocabulary and enlighten them on important aspects of the nation’s political and military history. There are also details about how to dispose of a worn-out flag, apart from the retirement ceremony. This is the type of book that will spark your child's love of history, helping them respect the military, and instilling a patriotic spirit in them.
Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite
The Worn-Out Flag by Karen Bowen is a captivating children’s book with different interwoven themes, focusing on the American flag and why young (and not-so-young) Americans should respect it. It is the story of Sam and Miguel, two young friends and their parents. Miguel’s dad is a soldier and the flag represents him fighting for his country when he is away. Unfortunately, one day, as Miguel and Sam were about to put it up, Sam noticed the flag was torn. The two families had a retirement ceremony for the flag, which represents the United States of America.
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The Worn-Out Flag by Karen Bowen is extremely moving as it tackles being true to one’s flag. It is beautifully illustrated. The pictures are realistically drawn and the use of subtle colors is excellent. This book is perfect for young children as it describes in simple terms what the American flag stands for, what each part, each symbol, and each color means. For instance, kids will learn that white is for purity, that red represents valor, and that blue corresponds to perseverance and justice. This story will also help their parents (or teachers) teach them about the fifty states, the thirteen colonies, and the unity of the states. But, it is far from being the only theme dealt with. It is also about friendship, patriotism, traditions, respect, family bonds, valor, courage, and selflessness. It is about defending your country, which Miguel understands very well, even if he misses his dad. It is about communication and emotional expression too, as he learns to articulate his feelings to his father. This delightful story and its timeless message will resonate with children and parents alike.