Based on the song that President Joe Biden quoted in his inaugural address, this picture book celebrates the beauty and diversity of this country and the legacies on which we build our future.

As President Joe Biden delivered his inaugural address, he quoted from a song that fully captured his own spirit of service: “The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall be our legacy? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart, when my days are through—America, America, I gave my best to you.” It was a sentiment that spoke not only to our new president’s character, but to the sense of pride in duty and purpose for the sake of a country we hold dear. And it contained a message of quiet patriotism that so many of us hope to share with the next generation.
 
In this new picture book, using the full text of the song President Biden quoted, we do just that. With words that speak to the soul of our nation, and art from twelve different illustrators, all depicting what America means to them, we take readers on a journey through this beautiful country—its history, its struggles, and its dignity—and throughout, we count our own blessings and think about how we can do more to share them with others, and give our best to our country and everyone in it.
Matt Faulkner is a first degree black belt, or sho dan, in karate and the author-illustrator of several picture books. View titles by Matt Faulkner
Michelle Lee (mklillustration.com) was born and raised in Southern California. She studied printmaking and biology at UC Berkeley and earned her MS in education at the University of Pennsylvania while working as a K-8 science teacher. When not illustrating picture books, Michelle works as a freelance illustrator/designer and maintains a children's clothing line she co-founded. She enjoys making things, being in nature, and chocolate chip cookies. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband. You can follow Michelle on Instagram @fromthebear. View titles by Michelle Lee
Rafael López (rafaellopez.com) won Pura Belpré medals for Drum Dream Girl and Book Fiesta, and has also received three Pura Belpré honors, two Américas Book Awards, and the 2017 Tomás Rivera Children's Book Award and Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal. His work has been featured in Communication ArtsAmerican Illustration AnnualGraphic Design USA and Huffington Post. He's a founder of San Diego's Urban Art Trail movement, created seven US Postal Stamps, and created official posters for the '08 and '12 Obama-Biden campaigns. He lives in San Diego, California, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. View titles by Rafael López
Veronica Miller Jamison View titles by Veronica Miller Jamison
James McMullan, one of America's foremost illustrators, is best known for his many acclaimed theater posters for Lincoln Center. His 1976 New York magazine cover and interior illustrations inspired the imagery of the film Saturday Night Fever. He is the author of four books and teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he lives View titles by James McMullan
Laura McGee Kvasnosky View titles by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
© Roger DeMuth
Jacqueline Alcántara View titles by Jacqueline Alcántara

About

Based on the song that President Joe Biden quoted in his inaugural address, this picture book celebrates the beauty and diversity of this country and the legacies on which we build our future.

As President Joe Biden delivered his inaugural address, he quoted from a song that fully captured his own spirit of service: “The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall be our legacy? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart, when my days are through—America, America, I gave my best to you.” It was a sentiment that spoke not only to our new president’s character, but to the sense of pride in duty and purpose for the sake of a country we hold dear. And it contained a message of quiet patriotism that so many of us hope to share with the next generation.
 
In this new picture book, using the full text of the song President Biden quoted, we do just that. With words that speak to the soul of our nation, and art from twelve different illustrators, all depicting what America means to them, we take readers on a journey through this beautiful country—its history, its struggles, and its dignity—and throughout, we count our own blessings and think about how we can do more to share them with others, and give our best to our country and everyone in it.

Author

Matt Faulkner is a first degree black belt, or sho dan, in karate and the author-illustrator of several picture books. View titles by Matt Faulkner
Michelle Lee (mklillustration.com) was born and raised in Southern California. She studied printmaking and biology at UC Berkeley and earned her MS in education at the University of Pennsylvania while working as a K-8 science teacher. When not illustrating picture books, Michelle works as a freelance illustrator/designer and maintains a children's clothing line she co-founded. She enjoys making things, being in nature, and chocolate chip cookies. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband. You can follow Michelle on Instagram @fromthebear. View titles by Michelle Lee
Rafael López (rafaellopez.com) won Pura Belpré medals for Drum Dream Girl and Book Fiesta, and has also received three Pura Belpré honors, two Américas Book Awards, and the 2017 Tomás Rivera Children's Book Award and Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal. His work has been featured in Communication ArtsAmerican Illustration AnnualGraphic Design USA and Huffington Post. He's a founder of San Diego's Urban Art Trail movement, created seven US Postal Stamps, and created official posters for the '08 and '12 Obama-Biden campaigns. He lives in San Diego, California, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. View titles by Rafael López
Veronica Miller Jamison View titles by Veronica Miller Jamison
James McMullan, one of America's foremost illustrators, is best known for his many acclaimed theater posters for Lincoln Center. His 1976 New York magazine cover and interior illustrations inspired the imagery of the film Saturday Night Fever. He is the author of four books and teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he lives View titles by James McMullan
Laura McGee Kvasnosky View titles by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
© Roger DeMuth
Jacqueline Alcántara View titles by Jacqueline Alcántara

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