Her Right Foot

Her Right Foot chronicles the history and creation of the Statue of Liberty, from its origins in France to its assembly in New York Harbor. The text follows Lady Liberty's journey across the Atlantic Ocean in 214 crates and details the construction process on what was then called Bedloe's Island. The narrative focuses on specific features of the monument, including its copper exterior, interior iron framework, and the tablet in Liberty's left hand. Through text and illustrations, the book examines the statue's measurements, construction materials, and architectural elements. The book's investigation of Liberty's right foot reveals deeper themes about immigration, movement, and American identity. This observation becomes a gateway to explore the statue's role as both a physical landmark and a symbol of welcome.

Readers appreciate the book's fresh perspective on the Statue of Liberty's moving right foot and its connection to immigration themes. Many parents and teachers note it sparks meaningful discussions with children about American values and welcoming newcomers. Specific praise focuses on Dave Eggers' conversational writing style and Shawn Harris' distinctive cut-paper illustrations. Multiple reviews highlight how the book makes complex ideas accessible to young readers ages 6-10. Main criticisms center on the book's political undertones, with some readers feeling the immigration message is too heavy-handed. A few note the text length may challenge younger children's attention spans. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (460+ ratings) School Library Journal: Starred Review Notable reader comment: "The illustrations are striking, but more importantly, this book gave my children a concrete way to understand abstract concepts about immigration and American ideals." - Amazon reviewer

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🗽 The Statue of Liberty's right foot is positioned mid-stride, suggesting she is stepping forward to greet newcomers to America 📚 Author Dave Eggers was inspired to write this book after noticing the statue's moving foot during a visit with his family - a detail he'd never seen mentioned in other books 🎨 Illustrator Shawn Harris created the artwork using paper collage and construction paper cutouts, giving the book its distinctive bold, graphic style 🛠️ The copper sheets used to create the actual Statue of Liberty are only about as thick as two pennies stacked together 🌊 When the statue was first erected, its copper surface was a bright penny brown color - it took about 20 years for it to develop its signature green patina through oxidation