Jeff Gottesfeld

I asked for this ARC particularly because my dear father-in-law, a poor boy and son of Italian immigrants who enlisted in the US Army prior to the onset of WWII, was among the first to guard The Tomb of the Unknown Solider in those early years. He “helped lay many a soldier in his final resting place” at Arlington.

These were facts of which he remained quietly proud of during his entire life. He spoke of the drills, the uniform checks, the precision, the ritual and the respect for the show more man who was the symbol of so many men lost on battlefields and grieved for so deeply by their families.

He eventually was part of the last US Cavalry Unit and, when it was disbanded, a member of the US Army Air Corps in New Guinea where he and so many others risked (and too often lost) life & limb. I write this backstory to indicate what a demanding standard I have for a book on the topic of The Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to write a book about The Tomb of the Unknown Solider for children. In the wrong hands it could easily have sunk to jingoism and melodrama.

Here the author managed to write a respectful and touching tribute that should not overwhelm young picture book readers (though I would advise parents and teachers to read it first and be prepared to answer children’s questions). The tasteful illustrations match my memories of visits to this tomb and of burials at Arlington. Regardless of parents’ or teachers’ political inclination, they should find this book praiseworthy. I would recommend this book to all regardless and suggest it for public, school and home libraries.

In a time when both Memorial Day (for honoring and mourning USA war dead) and Veterans Day (to honor the service of all USA military veterans) have degenerated into corporate greedfests used shamelessly to increase their sales and profits. Or alternately used by individuals for pre- and post-summer picnics, beach weekends, etc. The sanctity of these days have been lost.

This book is an excellent reminder of the need to remember and honor the daughters & sons, mother & fathers, aunts & uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, neighbors, etc who served in the USA military. Real people who lived and loved, died, and are too often forgotten.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana show less

The picture book “Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” written by Jeff Gottesfeld and illustrated by Matt Tavares, offers a loving and reverent tribute to the unknown soldiers represented by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as those who guard the tomb in Arlington Cemetery. Told from the perspective of the Unknown Soldier, the book offers insight into who the soldier represents and how important the post of being a sentinel guard for the Unknown is.

The show more topic is an important one, particularly as we think about the price of freedom and the role that wars play in ensuring freedom. Fortunately, Gottesfeld and Tavares approach this subject with skill and sensitivity. This results in an effectively solemn, thoughtful, and lyrical examination of the history of the Unknown and the sentinel guards who keep vigil by the tomb. Like the soldiers, the guards are not individually named, thus keeping the focus on the task and what it represents. Besides achieving the right approach, Gottesfeld and Tavares also find the right tone for a picture book on this topic. The words and pictures work in tandem to make the information approachable and understandable for younger readers. show less

This children's book did what few manage to do. It shared important history, through beautiful language and illustrations and managed to convey deep emotions in only a few pages. I would highly recommend this one as a book to read together around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I loved learning the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can't finish this one without a huge respect for the soldiers who stand guard there through the years. A beautifully executed book.

Living in the Washington, D.C. suburbs I have visited Arlington National Cemetery during my life, however, this small but beautifully illustrated book carries great depth in a few words. The story is told from the viewpoint of the unknown soldier who has been brought to this site to represent all the American soldiers who have died in war and were never recognized and returned to their families. The significance of the 21 steps, 21 seconds of waiting, the entire process that the guards go show more through is movingly told.

The tomb has been guarded non-stop since midnight July 2, 1936 by an elite group of soldiers, the "Old Guard", who believe that they are privileged to be awarded this assignment. They have never shirked their duty, not during hurricanes, blizzards, not 9/11 attacks nearby - they guard with honor. show less