Yankee Doodle Alphabet: The Spirit of 1776 from a to Z - Softcover

In this beautifully illustrated alphabet book, Wendell Minor presents the people, places, and events of the Revolutionary War by reimagining the inn and tavern signs that would have dotted the roads between towns in the original colonies. For each letter of the alphabet, Minor assigns a key element of young America, and with accompanying text, introduces the reader to this rich history.At the start of this journey, Minor invites the reader to "follow the signs along a colonial road during the years 1765 to 1783," and although his alphabet is not chronological, Minor presents a factual timeline at the end of the book to further help young readers understand the birth of our great nation.Minor focuses not only on the well-known people and aspects of the colonies and Revolutionary War, such as Paul Revere, the Boston Tea Party, or the Liberty Bell, but also includes important figures and places such the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, Elizabeth Zane, the daughter of Patriot Colonel Zane, and Trenton, New Jersey, the site of the Delaware crossing that was a major victory for George Washington.Never wavering in his commitment to fine detail and color works, this unusual alphabet compendium from Wendell Minor will delight children and adults with history and art.

In colonial America, hand-painted, wood-crafted signs hung from posts outside public houses along the bumpy dirt roads connecting the original thirteen colonies, welcoming guests for food and rest after a long journey. Here, Wendell Minor appropriates these symbols of respite and hospitality to create a fully illlustrated alphabet compendium celebrating the birth of our great nation. Assigning to each letter an essential element of young America, Minor's bright illustrations and expressive prose introduce readers to the rich history behind the colonies and Revolutionary War. Opening with "Acts," Minor introduces the British tax that incited unrest amongst American patriots. Closing with "Zane," readers learn about the daughter of Patriot Colonel Zane, Elizabeth, who saves the day by delivering more gunpowder for the deprived troops at Fort Henry. In between, Paul Revere, Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, the Boston Tea Party, and the Liberty Bell, and many more people, places, and events grace these pages. A chronological timeline at the end if the alphabet fills out the picture painted by Minor's fine color works.