Flying Colors: A Guide to Flags from Around the World

Gr 2–6—Budding vexillologists will want to get their hands on this book. Jacobs's guide to the flags of the world is beautiful and informative. After a brief walk through the history of flags in general, the author offers a two-page lesson on flag design, with definitions of many of the unique terms associated with vexillology (the study of flags). The rest of the book is dedicated to each of the flags of the world, organized by specific design elements. The pages are filled with various historical iterations of a country's flag, with brief captions outlining how and why flags changed over time. Intriguing facts and sidebars are included on every spread and provide a broad understanding of flags and their use throughout the world. Maps at the end offer an opportunity to locate unfamiliar countries mentioned within, and empty pages are available for young enthusiasts to create their own flags. The entire design, from whimsical endpapers filled with people carrying all sorts of flags to the thick, creamy pages, makes for an utterly browsable, attractive package.