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(3)
K-3
How Is It Made? series.
Close-up color photos illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw material to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Firework Made? and How Is a Pencil Made?.
32 pp.
| Sterling
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4549-3421-9$16.95
(3)
K-3
After a king who fears the dark decides to banish it, his advisers try to promote his idea to the public (e.g., "The dark is stealing your money!"); at first the citizens are convinced, but they soon realize their mistake. The book is a witty and--with its eye on the machinations of propaganda--timely farce. Haworth-Booth's intricate mixed-media art shines within her largely grayscale-and-yellow palette.
(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.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Nicole Wong.
When Lucy's half-brother Liao is snatched away, Lucy and stepmother Xiaoming must sail to the rescue. Originally self-published and here reissued with some new scenes, characters, and illustrations, Bluecrowne contains characters that intersect with other books in Milford's canon, but the author's technique of genre blending really shines with the insertion of science fiction into a nautical and family adventure.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2018
(4)
1-3
Calico Kid: Carlos & Carmen series.
Illustrated by
Erika Meza.
In these transitional readers, twins Carlos and Carmen Garcia celebrate the Fourth of July, try unsuccessfully to train their cat for a pet show, compromise on a Halloween costume, and go shopping for piñatas. The purposeful but cheery series boasts engaging-enough texts (with a smattering of Spanish words) and slick illustrations that pop with bold colors and vibrant energy. Glos. Review covers these Calico Kid: Carlos & Carmen titles: The Costume Contest, The Perfect Pinatas, The Pet Show Problem, and The Sparkly Night.
32 pp.
| Grosset
| May, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-606-36770-7$14.75
|
PaperISBN 978-0-448-48712-0$4.99
(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.
455 pp.
| Clarion
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-73966-3$16.99
(3)
YA
Illustrated by
Andrea Offermann.
Jin, a Chinese immigrant skilled with fireworks, unites with Coney Island gambler Sam; both find creative ways to fight the sinister magic woven into the corruption in and around 1870s New York City. Detailed line drawings reflect the mingling of fantasy and historical fiction in this riveting good-versus-evil, stand-alone prequel to The Boneshaker.
24 pp.
| Houghton
| April, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-42897-0$12.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-547-42892-5$3.99
(4)
K-3
Green Light Readers series.
Adapted by Karen Barss.
Talking dog Martha helps broker a compromise for the town's fireworks display; discovers who is making scary sounds while camping out; and finds missing Valentine card supplies. These three brief adaptations of episodes from the PBS series, while somewhat diverting for more confident beginning readers, are as glossy (and ultimately forgettable) as the cartoon representation of Meddaugh's trademark characters. Review covers these Green Light Readers titles: Martha Speaks: Fireworks for All, Martha Speaks: Martha Camps Out, and Martha Speaks: Thief of Hearts.
(3)
4-6
Artie brags to his tough cousin Petey about providing all the fireworks for Chinese New Year. With time running out before the celebration, Artie's uncle Chester makes a gracious sacrifice to help his nephew save face. The easy-to-follow story introduces readers to Chinese New Year traditions. Yep's preface explains that the 1950s-set tale is based on his own childhood memories. Bib.
48 pp.
| Atheneum
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-8037-7$12.99 New ed. (2006)
(3)
K-3
In Caldecott Honor Book Olivia, readers are introduced to the rambunctious little pig-girl and her family. Band finds Olivia planning her own accompaniment for the Fourth of July fireworks. Both new editions are compact in size for little hands and come with CDs of the stories read by Dame Edna; Band includes a well-placed foldout page. Review covers these titles: Olivia and Olivia Forms a Band.
48 pp.
| Atheneum/Schwartz
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-9620-0$12.99 New ed. (2006)
(3)
K-3
Precocious pig Olivia can make at least as much noise as an entire marching band, which is why she decides to bring along instruments to provide accompaniment for the Fourth of July fireworks. Falconer's droll black-and-white illustrations, with red and blue tossed in for patriotic good measure, capture his ever-popular heroine's never-dull antics. This paper-over-board edition is notable for its bargain price.
(3)
4-6
Fusion series.
These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!
32 pp.
| Oliver/Clara
| November, 2004
|
TradeISBN 1-881508-97-8$19.95
(4)
K-3
How It Happens series.
Photographs by
Bob Wolfe
&
Diane Wolfe.
Using a visual tour format, this series attempts to give insight into the manufacturing and production routines of selected industries. Full-page photos depict the various steps used in the building or production process. However, the abbreviated text does little to clarify the photographs, some of which are difficult to interpret. Glos. Review covers these How It Happens titles: How It Happens at the ATV Plant, How It Happens at the Building Site, How It Happens at the Cereal Company, How It Happens at the Fireworks Factory.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| June, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-385-32553-3$$15.95
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Robert Van Nutt.
In journal entries dated 1845, ten-year-old Lucky Hart recounts the events leading up to Cobtown's Fourth of July fireworks, including the defeat of a rival baseball team and the discovery of a stone marker that saves the town from being renamed Carbuncle. The story is somewhat amusing, but its diary frame feels too contrived. Full-color illustrations accompany the text.
101 pp.
| Scholastic/Levine
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-590-18719-8$$15.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
S. Saelig Gallagher.
Lila has one ambition: to be a master firework-maker like her father. Sent to distant and dangerous lands to gather rare ingredients, the plucky heroine is helped on her journey by her friend Chulak and his white elephant. Most amusing is a comic troupe of losers--sometimes pirates, sometimes restaurateurs, always changing but always failing--that she meets again and again.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Marsha Gray Carrington.
It looks like Farmer Puckett won't be able to haul the town's Fourth of July fireworks to the fairground this year, because his new mule, Jake Johnson, sat down and won't get up. Illustrated with bright, blocky caricatures, this spirited tall tale features down-home storytelling and colorful characters, including Mrs. Puckett, whose idea to light a fire under that "fool mule" has spectacularly unintended results.
111 pp.
| Front
| November, 1998
|
TradeISBN 1-886910-32-4$$14.95
(4)
4-6
Translated by David Colmer.
In an oblique yet intense story, a boy faces his rage for the lonely farmer who might become his stepfather. Ward and his friend Bernie kill the farmer's duck; the farmer kills Ward's dog; Ward carries the dead dog under his coat while seeking retribution. The audience for this Bergmanesque tale, a prizewinner in Europe, will be limited.