Fourth of July Picture Books

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Hunt. Tired of standing in one position for a hundred-plus years, Lady Liberty sets off on foot to see America. Will she make it home by July fourth, or will the holiday be canceled? It's rewarding armchair sightseeing, and Hunt injects humor into the illustrations of Liberty making the rounds (she's an impressive fifth head on Mount Rushmore). Historical information is appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Ten renowned illustrators, including Bryan Collier, Raúl Colón, and Diane Goode, bring the words of "America the Beautiful" to life; each striking spread also presents an inspirational presidential quote in the side margin. Informative back matter includes a key to national landmarks and symbols; full lyrics; a note on democracy; and biographical information on Bates, author of the poem-turned-patriotic-ballad.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Cátia Chien. Two young siblings, who serve as narrators, enjoy an eventful summer day that ends with an epic fireworks display. The story begins with them greeting the morning and eating their breakfast with chopsticks and a spoon, then heading outside into a festive urban landscape. They splash in water spraying from a fire hydrant, munch on slices of watermelon, and listen to live music in the park. Burgess packs his poetic text with zesty sound effects and onomatopoeia that make this a must for reading aloud. As darkness falls, the children climb a fire escape "up, up, up" to a roof, where they behold the amazing fireworks display. From start to finish, Chien's evocative, childlike mixed-media illustrations pop and soar, creating a series of memorable images. The day's hazy heat is visible; and the fireworks exploding over the skyline are almost audible—a thrilling gatefold catches the display in all its splendor. After the last sizzles fade, Burgess brings the kids back home, where a caring elder lovingly prepares them for bed. As they dream about the pyrotechnics they've witnessed, Chien serves up a glorious expressionistic image of their silhouettes filled with dazzling flashes of color. An immersive celebration of summer and siblinghood.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Berry. During the War of 1812, thirteen-year-old flag-maker's daughter Caroline Pickersgill helped stitch her first flag, which flew at Fort McHenry when the British attacked. Francis Scott Key's poem (now our national anthem) immortalized the flag. Fulton's rhythmically paced prose subtly echoes the poem's lines (appended). Berry's striking collaged block prints with colored pencil contrast thick black lines with bold, patriotic colors. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(2) K-3 During the War of 1812, Baltimore business owner Mary Pickersgill and her seamstresses were commissioned to create a huge, thirty-by-forty-two-foot flag. The flag survived a crucial British attack in 1814, which poet Francis Scott Key immortalized in verse. Hartland's straightforward account clearly explains important facts and asks questions that engage readers. Her folksy gouache illustrations playfully reflect our then-new nation and incorporate speech-balloon dialogue. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Giselle Potter. In Hopkinson's admittedly "made-up tale" based on the female author of American Cookery, the first American cookbook, orphan Amelia Simmons learns to cook from a Patriot townswoman and goes on to bake thirteen cakes served at Washington's inauguration. Entertaining--and informative of Revolutionary-era domesticity--the charming story pairs well with Potter's flattened folk art in watercolor and ink. A historical author's note is appended. Websites.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(1) PS Illustrated by Jason Chin. In this idyllic picture book, a boy and his family bike to a community picnic, bearing several pies. As Ledyard's text muses on the nature of sharing, Chin's detailed watercolor and gouache pictures take us through the Fourth of July celebration. The book ends poignantly, with Chin zeroing in on faces--a true diversity of races, genders, and ages--all sharing the same rapt expression watching fireworks.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Spare, powerful prose presents the American flag and the American landscape and people in parallel: "Sew together one nation / So together one nation." Evocative paintings portray the natural scenery as well as images from history, including civil rights marchers, long rows of pioneers in covered wagons, and men walking on the moon. A refreshingly unsentimental yet hopeful look at America.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(1) K-3 In an immediate, evocative text, a child of color asks America--her country, which she loves--if America loves her back. Against black, white, and gray backgrounds, many different BIPOC children appear on the subsequent pages, wearing red, white, and/or blue, calling America to account. These children ask timely questions: "Do you love me when I raise my hand? My head? My voice? When I whisper? When I SHOUT?" On many pages, the speaker looks directly at readers while asking these questions, a handful of which use exact verbiage from the Pledge of Allegiance--which opens and closes the book, handwritten on an American flag. The bald eagle constitutes a visual motif throughout: it hovers on the title page; casts a huge, gray shadow in which one child stands, arms spread as if actually casting this shadow; and flies above the New York City skyline, rural landscapes, and the U.S. Capitol. Peoples-Riley's author's note mentions that despite reciting the Pledge daily in school as a child, she didn't feel America's commitment back to her. Occasional Spanish and Louisiana Creole words and phrases appear throughout the main text, which the author's note also explains. The pictures' grayness makes hope somewhat elusive, but the pops of color against the somber hues, the children's persistent questions, and intergenerational support suggest a brighter future.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Through Q and A (from "Why is America called the 'Land of the Free'?" to "How can we keep spreading and celebrating American freedom?"), Shamir looks at the birth of freedom and growth of civil rights in America. Engaging prose and informative sidebars work seamlessly with humorous watercolor and pencil illustrations packed with details to pore over. "Who's who" list and author's note (with resources) appended. Timeline.

Reviewer:

(3) PS Illustrated by Huy Voun Lee. "Shoulder seat / Thumping beat / July 4th drums down the street." This celebratory ode to Independence Day uses rhyming couplets and tercets to illustrate the traditional ways the holiday is commemorated. Cut-paper collages reflecting the many ethnicities and backgrounds of the American population depict parades, beach parties, picnics, and fireworks displays. A cheerfully festive introduction to the Fourth of July.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amy Wummer. This story inspired by the familiar Christmas poem starts on July 3 ("while visions of fireworks popped in our heads") but is mostly set during the happy holiday itself, when rain threatens but quickly disappears. While the meter shifts constantly, this is a serviceable introduction to what one might expect on Independence Day, complete with a patriotic color palette and firework-bedazzled skies.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax