What's the Big Deal about Americans

Ruby Shamir's "What's the Big Deal about Americans" is an engaging nonfiction chapter book designed to introduce young readers to the rich history and diverse culture of the United States. It highlights how various traditions, inventions, and people, from Native Americans to immigrants, have shaped the nation. The book uses fascinating facts, like the Canadian origin of American cheese or Benjamin Franklin's inspiration from Native American confederacies, to illustrate the country's inclusive spirit and democratic ideals. It's an excellent resource for parents looking to open conversations about identity, belonging, and the meaning of 'of the people, by the people, and for the people' with children aged 4-11.

From Native American traditions to immigrant inventions, from diversity to democracy, from ice cream cones to apple pie, this fun and fact-filled book--now in chapter book format --celebrates the melting pot and mosaic that is America. Did you know that the inventor of American cheese actually came from Canada? Or that founding father Benjamin Franklin was inspired to create a democratic society by a confederacy of Native American tribes who came together to stop their constant warring? How about that both "God Bless America" and "White Christmas" were written by Irving Berlin, a Russian Jew who fled to the U.S. because of persecution back home? People have come to America from many countries, in many ways, for many reasons. Americans have many different beliefs, different languages, and different traditions. But even with all of these differences, America comes together with the understanding that our country and government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people." And there's nothing more American than that.