National Monuments of the U.S.A.

by Cameron Walker, Chris Turnham (Illustrator)

Travel through America’s incredible history and amazing wild places, visiting the National Monuments that celebrate the most iconic and majestic landscapes and locations in the USA.

Packed with maps and fascinating facts about the history, architecture, flora, and fauna in some of the most visited National Monuments in the United States, this gorgeously illustrated book showcases the nation’s most historically important and amazing places.
 
Divided into eight chapters covering the breadth of the US, pictographic maps locate each of the monuments explored, while double-page, poster-worthy scenes convey the beauty of the areas featured.

Monuments covered include Statue of Liberty, Stonewall, Katahdin, the National Mall, Forts of the East, Jewel Cave, Pipestone, Pullman, Grand-Staircase Escalante, Chiricahua National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Rainbow Bridge, the Dinosaur National Monument, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Colorado National Monument, the Devil’s Tower, Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge, Tule Lake, Mount St. Helens, John Day Fossil Beds, Admiralty Island, the Misty Fjords, Aniakchak, Papahānaumokuākea, Marianas Trench, Rose Atoll, and more!

Spot artworks and captions give important historical context for the memorial sites, as well as scientific information about the animals and plants found in the precious natural habitats.

The perfect armchair escapism for adventure-hungry kids , readers will marvel at the fantastic sights to be seen throughout the United States of America.

Brimming with facts, activities, and beautiful illustrations, the  National Parks of the USA series  of books immerses young people in the wonders of America’s outdoors. Learn about the wonderful wildlife, stunning scenery, and rare plants that inhabit these precious outdoor spaces. Celebrate these beautiful and rare locations, and be awed by the diversity and grandeur of the national parks’ living landscapes.

Also in the   National Parks of the USA and  National Parks of the USA Postcards .

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Nature, History, Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile

112 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Cameron Walker is a writer based in California. Her journalism, essays, and fiction have appeared in publications including The New York Times, Hakai, The Missouri Review, and The Last Word on Nothing. She’s won awards for her writing from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the American Institute of Physics, and Terrain.org. She is the author of National Monuments of the U.S.A., a book for kids beautifully illustrated by Chris Turnham, and of the essay collection, Points of Light: Curious Essays on Science, Nature, and Other Wonders Along the Pacific Coast.

Reviews

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is a great thought to cover all the national monuments under one binding. There must be more books like it on different subjects. I wish for one in same pattern rather than descriptive for India also. But hold on.. no book can contain the history of anything in India unless there are nth volumes.
Okay, let's get back to USA.
I liked the way Cameron collected all info in one book to let all have better induction on national monuments of USA. His catalog with inclusive of data on the year they have been made one and also what they are for, tells enough to let one keep adventure in mind and cover all, soon.
For illustrations, I would say art was incredible but the choice of fitting words over it was too bad on many pages.

My NetGalley reviews: https://www.netgalley.com/book/287142...

[Des Larsen || AdventuresOfToday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book!
It's a beautifully illustrated, non traditional, fact book on national monuments throughout the United States.
While reading please step into your imagination for a road trip to visit: the statue of liberty, jewel cave, montezuma castle, devils tower, golden gate, Aniakchak, paphānaumokuākea, and so so many other monuments between.

I appreciate that theres recognition that these places are sacred to indigenous people,
and gives (some) facts from that perspective.

The facts themselves are wonderful too, most of them light and easy to remember,
by the end of the book I needed to call my mom just to rattle off a couple new ones including;

"Beavers and otters have a set of transparent eyelids so they can see clearly in the water like having built in goggles!"
"The rainforest in admiralty island can rain over 100 inches each year!"
"Some whale tails can be 18 feet wide!"

Over all I would 10/10 recommend this book to any child (or child at heart) who like to travel, learn a lot, or look at nice pictures.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, National Monuments of the USA, by Cameron Walker, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. From the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, and everywhere in between. So many national monuments in the USA to discover. A good book for the whole family.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Very pretty illustrations, and a wide variety of national monuments.

[Owen Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, delightful illustrated guide to a selection of American national monuments, designed to spark interest in children, providing information not only about each monument but also context and background — for example talking about the Lenape people gathering oysters in what is now New York Harbour in the pages about the Statue of Liberty. The additional facts are well written to be interesting to children and amusing to adults — did you know that Liberty’s index finger is 8 feet long and “that’s a lot taller than most grown-ups”?

I especially enjoyed the inclusivity, prominently featuring monuments dedicated to African-American figures of Civil Rights movement; the section about the Central heartlands included 5 locations related to African-American history, 1 site relating to indigenous traditions (Pipestone, sacred to Dakota and Lakota peoples) and 1 that was foundational to US labour organising (the Pullman company town and the 1894 strike). I also liked the phrasing, when discussing Stonewall, that “over years people have created new versions of the [rainbow] flag to include more people in the LGBTQ+ community” and that the book included national monuments in some of the US colonies in the Pacific, though I was a little disappointed not to have the opportunity to learn anything about monuments or Historic Places in the Caribbean colonies and the Atlantic Ocean.

Overall, Cameron Walker has done a great job at pitching the copy at a level that will intrigue children and adults alike and Chris Turnham’s illustrations are stunningly beautiful; Myrto Dimitrakoulia’s design work should also be commended. This is a beautiful book and I can easily imagine spending hours poring over it with young relatives.

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[Jenna Stensland · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many amazing opportunities to explore and learn in this book. I loved a few things about this one.
First, how it is organized! It is set up by section and each location is shown on a small map. This helps my kids get a better understanding of geography and connect each monument to a real place. Second, there is so much information about each monument! Each monument starts off with a story type write up that invites you into the space. Then the following page gives all the details from the location specific ones, human interest pieces, and the animals you may find when you visit. Third, I love the illustrations! They are a beautiful addition to this book.

We read this book in two ways, for my preschool age kiddo we read the introduction to the place and then whatever caught his eye on the following page. With my first grader, we read it all and used the map to orient ourselves to where we were. To me, the ability to use a nonfiction book in different ways puts it a step above the rest. When you can come back to it time and time again to revisit different parts and give your youngest learner just enough information on that first read but build on that when you read it again. We will be keeping this book on our homeschool list for when we study the United States. It will be a great resource.

... The only downside if my travel budget. Now I want to go to all these places!


Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

National Monuments of the USA by Cameron Walker is a mesmerizing book that takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through American history and wild places...

The book is divided into eight chapters that cover the breadth of the US. The pictographic maps give you an idea of where each monument is located, while double-page scenes convey the beauty of the areas featured. The author does an excellent job of describing each monument, its cultural significance, and natural beauty.

One thing that makes this book stand out is its stunning illustrations. They make flipping through it a joyous experience. Additionally, it’s full of information about national monuments’ activities, making it an excellent resource for travelers planning to visit them.

However, one downside is that I found the font size to be too small at times. It made it hard to read for me personally.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a travel guide that showcases some of America’s most historically important and amazing places with stunning visuals and informative content, National Monuments of the USA would make an excellent addition to your collection or a perfect gift for anyone planning to travel soon!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very successful book indeed, this takes us round many of the USA's national monuments, from geological wonders to the block where the Stonewall riots happened, and from segregation protests to bounteous sights combining dinosaurs and indigenous rock art. Each region of the States gets a map with a good few of their monuments on, and the pages thereafter elaborate – so we get a full spread or two on the Statue of Liberty, a page to round up the eastern military forts, and so on. Picture choice is fine, with the artist involved having a great style, and the text is concise enough to be short and lose nothing. Indeed I learnt things from this – the Freedom Riders hadn't afaik turn up in any of my other reading before now, nor the pipestone quarries used by the indigenous residents. Putting the young reader in these sites, with inclusive graphics and script about the care of these places now and in the future, this stops them seeming stuffy places with a certificate, and proves them to be some of the world's marvels. I found this great fun to explore, even thousands of miles from the subjects.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderfully illustrated book that shows a selected amount of National Monuments in the USA. Each monument has a page that describes why it is important and then has full pages that give short historical facts for things that relate to that monument. For example, some facts about the Statue of Liberty were about the oyster comeback, the torch, and the Immigration Station. Each small fact has a beautiful illustration to go with it.

What I loved about this book were the illustrated maps. Before each section there is a detailed map that points out the National Monuments. This is not something that I see often in children’s nonfiction books, especially if they are illustrated.

As someone who has been to a few of these National Monuments, this was a great book to find some lesser known facts. The illustrations makes it geared towards children, however with it being full of historical and scientific facts, it is definitely a book for all ages.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many books about the National Parks that it’s nice to see one about the lesser known (but not less amazing) monuments of the US. Being a NPS stamp collecting fiend, I have been to most of these places but it’s great to see these highlighted. There are lots of facts packed into each section that are easy to understand and showcase what makes the monument special. When the need arises, there are matter of fact explanations of controversial topics that skirt the controversy and define topics in an approachable way. The illustrations are fantastic and truly capture the monument and its’ various sites. The geographical sections make it easier to plan trips to several at the same time. Lots of research and love went into this book and it’s a great resource for parents planning a trip and getting their kids excited for it. Highly recommended!

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beauty of this book pushed it to a 3 star for me. It’s gorgeous and so full of information. Since there are so many National Monuments in the United States, this is obviously not a comprehensive look at each one. And even though the illustrations are gorgeous, there aren’t pictures of the actual monuments either. It would probably be a great book for a homeschool curriculum because it dives deep into some of the history of these points of interest. But it is lacking in other ways too with what was left out. So this would be a lovely addition to another book if you were studying the National Monuments in an great detail. It’s a good place to start if you are diving into the subject for the first time.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for providing an ebook for an honest review.

[Ddnreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to this book I can go around USA without having to go there. This artfully illustrated nonfiction book showcased National Monuments throughout the states of USA. It was completed by brief essential historical background, its significance, and the recognition for Black and indigenous people. It also showed the map where we can find these monuments.

The layouts were neat and the monument's title was easy to spot on. I love colour or tone they chose for the art and illustration. And THE FONT. It's very eye pleasing.

If you're into travelling, nature, historical buildings, and picture book, this is perfect for you. Although it was meant for children nonfiction book, the information and language was suitable for all age.

I enjoy reading this a lot.

Can't wait to see the places in person 🤩

Thanks Netgalley for providing the ARC

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice book to introduce kids to some of the national monuments of the U.S. There are lots of maps and graphics, plus lots of information. The art and colors are the style that will appeal to many adults but I’m not sure how much kids will be drawn to it. I remember being a kid and hating when books were illustrated in muted, dreary colors. That also takes away from what these places really look like too, in my opinion. I’ve been to many of these and it felt like the 1970s colors of this book failed to capture how beautiful they really are in person. I seem to be in the minority here though, and do concede that the art is great — it just felt one note and like every site ended up looking like a dust bowl era state. Check it out with your kids and see what you think. Either way it’s a great resource.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book via NetGalley.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about our National Monuments - this book is arranged by geographic regions, beginning in the East and eventually landing on the Rose Atoll in American Samoa. At the end are mentions of Monumental Homes, a list of National Monuments in the U.S. arranged alphabetically by state and territory, a Conclusion, and Index.

I know I'm being nit-picky, but, but the information was not presented in a consistent manner - sometimes there was a national map with a small dot showing where the monument is located, but more often, it was just the name of the state & the year it was designated. The print was also very small and difficult for this reader (and I'm not that old) to see, and the finer print blended in a little too well with the cream colored background of the page.

Having said this, the illustrations were beautiful - large and colorful.

A good read.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous introduction to national monuments all over the USA, from the Statue of Liberty to Stonewall to Muir Woods. Each monument has tons of information and interesting facts about its history, plant and animal life, and notable features.

The illustrations are really pretty somewhat stylized paintings like one might find on old-fashioned travel posters. They invite the reader into the story. Each fact has an accompanying small illustration, which breaks up the page nicely and also draws the eye from fact to fact.

For any kid interested in history, nature, or travel, this would be an excellent book to explore. I plan to read it with my 9-year-old soon and think that he will really enjoy it.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto, and Wide-Eyed Editions for providing an early copy for review.

[Jenny Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book, gorgeous illustrations and just enough information about each monument to grab your interest

I'm not from the US, so I suspect my knowledge of US monuments to be similar to a small child, and there was plenty of new-to-me facts here, alongside lovely soft drawings

The only downside is that there's a lot of content on each page, the physical book is quite large, but I read this on my ipad and had to keep zooming in to be able to read the smaller text. However, I think this would be a nice book to have a physical copy of, which would solve this issue!

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[Mary Smrek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book exploring the various National Monuments of the USA is very well done. There is a true love for nature that shines through with each monument explained. The illustrations are wonderful, almost giving a wistful feel to the book as if you had already been there and these are memories. Having been to some of the monuments mentioned, I find the depictions very accurate. I believe the layout of the book is interesting as well. There is an overview of each monument and then there is a detailed page that goes more in-depth. Depending on the child's attention span you can do both or just the overview. It seems like a great read to do one section per day or even one monument per day to build the child's excitement.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thinking of traveling with kids this summer? Looking for some focus for your trip? Here is a wonderful compendium of the country’s national monuments. It is well illustrated and packed with information. Just right for travelers both real and virtual.

I was immediately drawn to this title by its gorgeous cover. It shows clearly that there will be much to see in these pages, including the Statue of Liberty and The Golden Gate Bridge. And, of course, there are many more in this title that is organized by geographical region. Note that the graphics inside this title also are designed to draw the visitor in.

I highly recommend this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to sell myself out and admit that I marked this book as read but I didn't actually read all of it. In my defense, there is a lot of text. If you have a reader who is interested in learning more about our country's National Monuments -- like Grand Staircase or Dinosaur (both in Utah), then this is the book for them! They can pore over the highly detailed, visually appealing pages and learn so much different information about the diversity of all of our National Monuments. The oversized trim of this book is especially satisfying for readers wanting to immerse themselves in content. If you are a reader who doesn't want quite as much information, you can also just read the few pages that appeal to you and skim through the rest. You have my permission ;)

[Lellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is super informative with beautiful and multiple illustrations for each monument. It's sectioned off by geographical region which is a nice way to keep it organized and has a good mix of historical monuments, social monuments (like civil rights monuments/Stonewall) and natural land (like Pipestone). I think this book does a great job of balancing delicately between the Native and colonization history of the US with how it treats the national monuments, especially in the National Parks. The US has a complicated history and a very diverse land and I think this book does a good job of picking what to showcase.

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Java Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed how the book was broken down into sections of the USA. It provides concise and informative explanations about the monuments, national parks, and historic information about people in our pasts that have made an impact on our society. The art and the level of illustrations was great because it keep me interested and my son as well. I learned a lot as an adult reading the book. In the back is an appendix with the list of special and historic places listed in the book. If you are looking to educate yourself about the US or even your children it is a good book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning about the different National Monuments located around the United States. This book gives lots of information using small pictures and charts. The information is easy for kids to read and learn from. They can see that a finger on the Statue of Liberty is taller than a human. They can learn that Katahdin Woods and waters and the animals located there. And who would not want to go the National Mall and explore all the different museums after reading about them in this book. There are military forts all across the country that you can visit and learn about its history. So much fun learning taking place through this book.

[Helen Marquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed more at a young audience, this beautifully illustrated book rounds up some regional highlights from the USA's vast array of amazing national monuments. Taking you from beneath the ground in the Jewel Cave of South Dakota to the towering redwoods of Muir Woods in California, the book covers a wealth of information of these incredible sites, both naturally occurring and manmade (eg the Golden Gate Bridge, the National Mall etc).
A great introduction to the diverse history of the USA and the places that make it so unique.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is a fan of history, and sharing that with my children! I absolutely love this book!!!
The illustrations are beautifully done. I am in awe over all the of details and beautiful colors! Incredible job!
My son (7) loved learning all about these national monuments and the facts about them. I even learned many new things as well.
I highly recommend this book, it would be a great addition to a homeschoolers lesson plans, a great book for teachers to have for their students to read and learn from, as well as a book to read before you take some trips to these places!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated tour of U.S. National Monuments! I love how this book balances celebrating U. S. history with acknowledging the hard truths of our past with which we’re still grappling. I was so pleased to see Stonewall and and Tule Lake included, as well as the harm caused by the American Indian residential schools. It’s a wonderful starting point for discussions with my children and the illustrations are inclusive. In addition, it’s full of wonderful information about animals and plants, and strikes the right balance between text and illustrations. We love this book!

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

National Monuments of the U.S.A. is a kid-friendly, illustrated book about historical monuments. The author provides amazing facts about not only the monument but the state and area in which the monument is located. I enjoyed “traveling” around the country on a virtual road trip. This is a perfect book for the entire family to enjoy. I don’t normally condone writing in books, but I could totally see myself grabbing the hardcover and writing in the dates I visited each monument. What a wonderful way to learn about the monuments, locations, history, animals and plant life.

[A.L. Renna · Rating 5 out of 5]

From natural formations to man-made structures, National Monuments of the USA celebrates (and educates) through a diverse sampling of historically, culturally, and scientifically important landmarks in the United States. Packed with maps, facts, and rich imagery, this book takes readers on an epic journey through more than two dozen federally protected sites including caves, homes of important people, vast areas of wilderness once inhabited by indigenous peoples, forts, and the deepest depths of the ocean.

Read our full review: https://travelnitch.org/national-monu...

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual and fascinating illustrated guide to the National Monuments of the US. Divided by regions, each 2-page spread provides fascinating tidbits about particular monuments, including history, flora and fauna and noteworthy attractions. Many are familiar but many are monuments that were totally new to me. I made a list of places I now want to visit!

This is a perfect book for the curious child who love nonfiction, maps, nature and absorbing topics.
As an adult reader, I loved dipping into sections over an extended period.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun guide for kids to monuments and national treasures seen in the United States. Spanning from the West to the East Coasts and including Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. islands, this includes everything from mountains to the Grand Canyon to the Mariana Trench. It lists fascinating places and historical facts about more notable monuments like the Statue of Liberty. The illustrations are lovely and have vibrant colors. This will inspire little ones to travel and take in all these sites.

[Jaded book lover 🤓 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS! As an adult I found this super interesting and even learned some new information! My kids are 8 (twins) and 5, and I can’t wait to go through this again with them so they can see the different monuments and discuss the importance of them. Travel is something we LOVE to do as a family so having these discussion BEFORE visiting places is always a goal. This book makes it so easy! Love it!