A Little American's Promise

A pledge sheet framed by an eagle, flag shields and wheat shows a girl and a boy eating from bowls above a rhyme in which a child promises to eat corn-meal, oatmeal and rice, clear the plate and skip snacks. Signature and address lines let the child sign it, so that being a 'good American' becomes a signed personal commitment.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

Identity fusionTransfer

Date

1917

Period

First World War

Made by

U.S. Food Administration (children's food-conservation pledge sheet)

Region

North America

Country

United States

Medium

Poster

Issuer type

State

Regime

Wilson Administration

Leader

Woodrow Wilson

Audience

Domestic public

Purpose

Mobilize or secure compliance

Themes

Home front, Health

Event

World War I

Regime

Wilson administration

Leader

Woodrow Wilson

Source

Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are

Source

U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026

Rights

NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
U.S. Food Administration (children's food-conservation pledge sheet). National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-246.

A LITTLE AMERICAN'S PROMISE

I'LL eat corn-meal, oatmeal, and rice
And nice sweet hominy;
Corn flakes and mush with lots of milk
Are good enough for me.

At table I'll not leave a scrap
Of food upon my plate,
And I'll not eat between meals but
For supper time I'll wait.

I make the promise that I'll do
My honest, earnest part
In helping my America
With all my loyal heart.

This is a PROMISE, and I hope
All children make the same.
I'll be a good American,
And hereto sign my name,

Signed
Address

REPRINTED BY SPECIAL PERMISSION OF JOHN MARTIN'S BOOK, THE CHILD'S MAGAZINE