Otto's Tales: Paloma Wants to Be Lady Freedom | PragerU Kids

[Music] welcome to otto's tales hi otto that's otto story time brought to you by prep prager use resources for educators and parents i'm jill and today we're reading paloma wants to be lady freedom written by rachel campos duffy and illustrated by richard johnson paloma was looking forward to isabella's birthday party her whole class was going but she was not her father had always dreamed of visiting washington dc the nation's capital so paloma was going like it or not as her parents loaded the minivan she couldn't help thinking about all the fun she'd be missing what's the big deal about becoming an american citizen anyway she grumbled under her breath while she watched over her baby sister margarita the cherry blossom buds unfolded today her mother announced queswerte even the flowers are welcoming our famiglia her father added hoping to cheer paloma up still all she could think about was the birthday party her parents had a surprise we're going to see the monuments at night she had never been allowed to stay up this late before as her daddy took her picture on the steps in front of abraham lincoln paloma thought about her friends breaking the birthday pinata the one thing that kept her from thinking about the party was the magnificent capital dome it was the prettiest building she had ever seen as they walked closer to the capitol she noticed something on top of it paloma wondered what the beautiful lady was doing up there she tugged her daddy's hand i want to go there and see the lady she insisted manana paloma tomorrow the lady on top of the dome was even more splendid in daylight she seemed to sparkle while watching over the whole city paloma wanted to know all about her there were so many tourists inside the capital visitor center no wonder they call it the people's house that paloma there she is the lady on top of the dome paloma noticed her daddy looking happy and proud the way she remembered him the day he became a citizen entering the rotunda a giant painting caught her attention she's beautiful isn't she interrupted a capital policeman yes said paloma her name is pocahontas he informed her of the lady kneeling with a long brown hair and there's another beautiful lady standing on this dome paloma told him pointing to the high ceiling that's right her name is lady freedom he explained president abraham lincoln built her during the civil war what does she do paloma asked well she's a warrior protecting freedom the officer answered my daddy says he came to america for freedom paloma said many people do replied the officer i wanted to go to a birthday party but we came here because my dad just became a citizen paloma explained well the capitol is the perfect place to celebrate citizenship looking around the officer asked hey where are your parents paloma's eyes darted around the room they were just here she said nervously don't worry we'll find them he said reassuringly i'm officer douglas what's your name little lady paloma well paloma did you know lady freedom is as tall as a giraffe he asked trying to calm her through quivering lips she said that's tall i'm the smallest in my class in that moment she felt even smaller paloma you can be brave like lady freedom he assured her did you notice she's facing east paloma shook her head well that's because she's keeping her eye on old king george of england she's up there guarding america against anyone who might want to take away our freedom officer douglas explained i like her helmet with the feathers said paloma those are native american feathers explained officer douglas like pocahontas she asked yes native american like pocahontas he smiled her feathers represent honor strength and freedom he continued you see thanks to the courage of abraham lincoln and the abolitionists in america we're born free born free repeated paloma thoughtfully they wandered into an impressive room surrounded by statues even the floors are fancy exclaimed paloma one of the statues caught her eye it was somebody she learned about in school i know her paloma told officer douglas yes rosa parks said officer douglas paloma remembered how rosa refused to give up her seat on a bus she bravely said no because she wanted freedom for everyone rosa parks is lady freedom too declared paloma she sure was agreed officer douglas paloma paloma her parents frantic voices rang across the room we've been looking all over for you her father cried daddy this is where our freedoms are protected yes i know mija that's why i wanted you to come with us to washington americans are born free she blurted out excitedly that's right paloma in america we're free to work hard and make our dreams come true can i be lady freedom too she asked her parents before they could answer paloma fired off a bunch of questions will the shield be too heavy if i get tired can i come down can margarita and pablo come up and visit me of course they can smiled officer douglas as he placed a police badge sticker on her dress paloma treasured the lady freedom keychain her mom bought her in the capitol gift shop on the car ride home she never let it go as she watched the dome disappear she thought about lady freedom abraham lincoln and rosa parks she knew she wanted to be just like them she felt happy and proud to be an american i'm glad we went to washington d.c daddy i love america me too mija when her father opened the front door paloma ran straight to her bedroom where she hung lady freedom from the highest turret of her pink plastic princess castle looking up at her father she told him i want to be lady freedom daddy you already are paloma you already are the end we love this book because it celebrates freedom and reminds us how special it is to be an american no matter what we look like how big or small we are or where our families are from living in america and being free is a great gift that we can all be thankful for right otto right thank you for watching otto's tales check out some of our other stories too keep reading keep watching and keep being brave bye we're so glad you joined us for today's reading story time is made possible through the generous support of donors like you you can help keep the stories coming by going to prageru.com donate today