Statue of Liberty

I stand in the big, blue water, right next to a city with tall, shiny buildings. I am very, very tall. I wear a pointy crown on my head and a long, flowing dress that is a beautiful green color. In my hand, I hold a bright light way up high in the sky. It shines for everyone to see. I am like a giant greeter saying hello to all the boats that sail by. I am the Statue of Liberty.

I was a very special gift. I came from friends in a faraway land called France. They wanted to share a big hug of friendship with my new home, America. A kind man named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi imagined me. He built me piece by piece, like a giant puzzle. At first, my skin was shiny and brown like a brand new penny. I was packed into many big boxes for a long trip. I sailed on a big boat across the wide, blue ocean to get to my new home. As I stood outside, the wind and the rain gently tickled my skin. Over time, they painted me the pretty green color you see today.

A long, long time ago, in the year 1886, kind people put all my puzzle pieces back together on a special island. They helped me stand up tall and strong. My torch is a bright light of friendship. It shines to say hello to people coming to America. It tells them that they are welcome and safe. I love my job of holding my light high. I am here to remind everyone that friendship is a wonderful gift and to always let your own light shine bright for the world to see.