Amelia Hamilton has no known familial connection to our Founding Father, Alexander. Nevertheless, patriotism must run in her blood. Amelia is the author of a wonderful resource for young Americans -- or, as she calls them, “Growing Patriots.” We like the sound of it! So we took a look, read with the kids, and now we can’t get enough of reading her work!
Amelia’s book series and podcast came to be after she had trouble finding a birthday gift for a little boy. She was looking for a book that would teach kids about America and its history. She wanted something that would spark interest as well as questions to learn more.
Unsatisfied in her search, Amelia decided to take the initiative (how American!) and write a book of her own -- with her words and with her passion. She wrote her first Growing Patriots book, One Nation Under God: A Book for Little Patriots, in which she describes (in age-appropriate detail) 1 to 10 special qualities about America, beginning with One Nation Under God (excerpt):
When America was not yet born,
We needed faith to guide us.
To help us when our hopes were worn --
A God to stand beside us
Concluding with Ten Amendments in the Bill of Rights (excerpt):
There are Ten Amendments, and they mean a lot.
They are the reasons that we fought:
Freedoms that weren’t safe before,
Freedoms well worth fighting for
Met with much praise, Amelia followed up with a second Growing Patriots book, “10 Steps to Freedom: A Growing Patriot’s Guide to the American Revolution.” Here she again numerically and chronologically highlights American themes, this time as
they relate to milestones in the American Revolution. And again, each topic is explained in 3- to 4-verse poems of stimulating yet digestible vocabulary, and paired with youthful yet mature illustrations.
Not only did this little birthday boy love it, but word got around, and many others wanted copies as well. Knowing that there are just not enough proper resources that teach kids about America, Amelia put her patriotic work into publication!
Supplementing her book titles, Amelia’s Growing Patriots podcast is also a wonderful civics resource for young kids. Her podcast posts include coloring sheets and video clips. With an age-appropriate sense, she dives into a range of topics like the significance of the American Revolution and the importance of free speech. Sometimes she has kids as guests on her show, which makes episodes a bit more relatable to little listeners.
We’re so grateful for Amelia’s commitment to inspiring fascination with our great nation. In Amelia’s words, “Every patriot needs a place to start, and that’s why Growing Patriots is here.” Growing Patriots and Primerrily are most definitely cut from the same cloth . . .and we imagine it’s in shades of red, white, and blue.
To learn more about Amelia’s work, visit her here at Growing Patriots. Once you’re impressed, have your kids learn from Amelia’s work!
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