30,000 Stitches - by Amanda Davis (Hardcover)

I lived in NYC when 9/11 happened. My apartment was just a mile away and the dust seeped into every crevice. I remember that day well. This book captures the hope and America's will to survive and thrive that took place after 9/11. It is a book of healing for those who were there and those from afar who still felt the pain of that day. The book follows the inspirational story of the flag that was flown at Ground Zero after the tragedy. It became worn and frayed. Eventually, it was taken down. But it still had life to it, and it was lovingly restored by Americans from all walks of life and from all over the country. This would be a wonderful book for educators and parents to read to children as well as for young children to read for themselves. It is an inspiring book!

“Fifty states, thousands of hands, and 30,000 stitches later, the flag returned home to New York City. Thirty feet wide. Twenty feet tall. Full of hope. Full of strength,” Amanda Davis writes in her children’s book, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag. ~ What ~ This forty-page oversized hardbound with a matching jacket targets children five to eight years old who want to learn what happened to the American flag that was damaged on September 11, 2001 in New York City. With no scary scenes, it focuses on remembering the tragic event that occurred almost twenty years ago. The illustrations are vibrant and interesting as they follow the flag being repaired across the United States. The ending includes an author’s note, acknowledgments, sources, reflections, and photo credits. Honoring our flag is important, especially when it was one that was marred due to the World Trade Towers collapsing. This weaved story starts with the flag being stored until six years later, when it is moved from town to town and coast to coast among the fifty states to be stitched and repaired by survivors, war veterans, educators, first responders, service heroes, and many others. The book commemorates its return to New York and also includes more information, photos, and its restoration process. ~Why ~ Since it soon will be twenty years since 9/11, this book is wonderful for children and adults to read and remember what the red, white, and blue flag means to Americans. I appreciate that its content is sensitive about the many lives lost yet includes how the fabric of America is strong, heals, and endures. A read like this helps repair scars, restores faith, and unites its people. Adding the photographs at the end solidifies how important a task it was to fix the thirty by iconic symbol we cherish. ~ Why Not ~ Those who are not patriotic or have no love for America or its flag will have no interest in the book. Children with sensory issues may find some of the illustrations too busy. Some of the two and three-syllable words may be hard for beginner readers. ~ Wish ~ It would be nice if similar books that promoted history and patriotism were written for our children. ~ Want ~ If you want your young child to remember 9/11 in an uplifting, honoring way twenty years after the tragic event happened, this inspirational book about our flag raises hope and unity out of the past’s ashes. Thanks to Hachette Book Group, WorthyKids, and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.