Her Right Foot

Johnny Heller brings enthusiasm and a sense of wonder to his narration of this iconographic-animated adaptation of Dave Eggers’s entertainingly informative 2017 picture book—nicely illustrated with Shawn Harris’s ink-and-construction paper collages—about the Statue of Liberty, the iconic 305-foot statue that was a gift to the U.S. from France. Heller, who confidentially says, "Perhaps you already knew this," provides interesting facts about the statue, which arrived in New York Harbor in 214 crates in 1885. And Lady Liberty’s right foot? The text surmises that because the heel of the right foot is lifted in midstride, the statue appears to be walking. Where might she be going, wonders Heller, perhaps to SoHo to get a panini or to Trenton, NJ? The correct answer, according to Eggers, is that this symbol of freedom is "on the go," welcoming immigrants to the U.S. Against brief strains of the "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a photograph of Emma Lazarus’s famous poem at the base of the statue, Jo Anna Perin reads the familiar text to cap off this fine introduction to a historic American statue that reminds us all of the importance of inclusion and diversity in a free land. Also featuring a read-along option, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. Aud: E, P. (S. Beauregard)