July 4th is always a time to remember and honor the history of our country. This year, though, is extra special: it is the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence. Sharing a picture book with the children in your life as part of your Independence Day celebrations can broaden their knowledge of our country’s history, as well as convey what makes America’s birthday special.
Blue Sky White Stars, opens a new window by Sarvinder Naberhaus and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
With rich illustrations and very few words, Naberhaus and Nelson layer scenes from America’s past and present with imagery that celebrates the American flag. “Red rows” is illustrated with a fiery autumn forest and an accompanying close-up of the red and white stripes of an American flag. “Stand Proud” is illustrated with the faces of U.S. soldiers across from a page picturing a college graduate standing in front of a billowing American flag. Every page of this gorgeous book is a powerful tribute to America.
Fireworks, opens a new window by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Cátia Chien
This award-winning picture book conveys the buoyancy and excitement of children experiencing a joyful summer day that culminates in an incredible fireworks display. Starting with a breakfast shared between siblings, then a walk across town with a stop to play in the spray from a leaking fire hydrant, the day continues with time to play in a park and enjoy some watermelon. Later, when they are back home and the sun is setting, the children excitedly anticipate what is to come...fireworks! The illustrations and multi-page spreads in this book capture not only the visual beauty of the fireworks, but also the range of emotions experienced by the children as the fireworks display begins, then peaks at the finale, “before finishing into ghosts” of smoke trailing across the night sky.
My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures From the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time, opens a new window by G. Neri and illustrated by Corban Wilkin
As an eight-year-old in 1976, the author went with his family on a seven-week road trip across America to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Leaving their home in California and traveling in the family car, their goal was to be in Washington, D.C. to watch the Independence Day parade on July 4th. Given the communication and technology restraints of that time, their mode of transportation, and the distance they covered, Neri has some stories to tell. This is a fun, informative, and thought-provoking book that is sure to inspire readers of all ages to learn more about America.
On the Fourth of July, opens a new window by Maggie C. Rudd and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
A bright, jubilant celebration of fireworks on Fourth of July night. After a day filled with picnics, cookouts, popsicles, and pools, families transition to the main event of the day: fireworks! Children decked out in red, white, and blue and waving American flags run, skip, and are pulled in wagons or carried as families converge and wait for the show to start. When the explosions of color begin the children are wide-eyed and cheering. The finale brings the children to their feet, leaping off the ground. When the show is over, adults carry tired little ones home where they fall asleep dreaming of color.
Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner, opens a new window by Jessie Hartland
Thirty years after the American Revolution, the United States was again at war with Britain. Business owner Mary Pickersgill was hired to make an enormous U.S. flag to fly over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, to demonstrate the new nation’s pride to the invading British. Mary’s woman-run shop created a flag 42 feet wide and 30 feet high, which became the inspiration for the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and can still be seen, more than 200 years later, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, opens a new window by Selene Castrovilla and illustrated by Drazen Kozjan
With details of some of Lafayette’s experiences and adventures during the American Revolution, Castrovilla’s story makes Lafayette, Washington, and the Revolution itself come to life. Excerpts of letters between Lafayette and Washington give glimpses into the people, not just the dusty historical figures. Timelines at the end of the book show key events in the lives of Washington and Lafayette.
Darcie Caswell is Director of Youth Services at CRRL. This column originally appeared in The Free Lance-Star newspaper.
