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(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.
(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.
40 pp.
| Knopf
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-52067-5$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-52068-2$20.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-52069-9
(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.
32 pp.
| Kane Press
| April, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-57565-830-8$25.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-57565-747-9$7.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-57565-748-6
(4)
K-3
Holidays & Heroes series.
These books delve into the purpose and historical background of two national holidays. Independence provides an overview of the Declaration of Independence and the various ways the holiday has been celebrated from 1776 to today. Memorial traces the holiday's beginning as Decoration Day in 1868 through the many changes to it since. Photographs and period illustrations accompany the lackluster texts. Review covers the following Holidays & Heroes titles: Let's Celebrate Independence Day and Let's Celebrate Memorial Day.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Harrington.
After young Willie's application for membership is rejected by the Texas Rangers ("You are too smiley and your belly is too big"), he proves his mettle at Amarillo's Fourth of July parade by thwarting two ice cream–stealing varmints. The narrative's Texas flavor compensates for the story's formulaic aspect, and the illustrations get across the humor with tastefulness and twang. Bib.
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.
72 pp.
| Random
| June, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-96882-2$12.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-375-86882-5$4.99
(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series.
Illustrated by
John Steven Gurney.
In July, Brian, Bradley, Nate, and Lucy search for pony Polly and Pal the dog, both of whom disappear before the mayor's pet costume contest. In August, the sleuthing quartet uncovers the identity of a mysterious masked acrobat while helping a traveling circus. Both books' text and black-and-white illustrations have kid appeal, but dialogue and characters are flat. Review covers these Calendar Mysteries titles: July Jitters and August Acrobat.
32 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9065-9$16.99
(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.
278 pp.
| Viking
| May, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01207-7$16.99
(4)
YA
This Revolutionary War–set drama traces the coming-of-age of Jake Mallery, from boy to rebel, then soldier, prisoner-of-war, and patriot. The story unfolds over five chapters, covering consecutive July fourth holidays from 1777–1781. The dialogue isn't always strong, but solid characterization and vivid setting will stay with readers.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3727-4$23.93
(4)
K-3
Paper Craft Fun for Holidays series.
Children use items such as recycled paper, glue, paint, and scissors to make simple holiday-themed craft projects including pop-up cards, hats, and decorations. Easter eggs, shamrocks, and hearts (for example) are the typical holiday fare; step-by-step directions and patterns to copy and enlarge enhance accessibility. Photographs illustrate the crafts in progress and the final products. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Paper Craft Fun for Holidays titles: Paper Crafts for Easter, Paper Crafts for Mardi Gras, Paper Crafts for Presidents' Day, Paper Crafts for St. Patrick's Day, Paper Crafts for Thanksgiving, and Paper Crafts for the 4th of July.
96 pp.
| Kane Press
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-57565-315-0$22.60
|
PaperISBN 978-1-57565-308-2$6.95
(4)
1-3
Milo & Jazz Mysteries series.
Illustrated by
Amy Wummer.
Weird stuff keeps happening at the Fourth of July fair, especially when those big kids who call themselves the Zoo Crew show up. Aspiring detectives Milo and Jazz resolve to prove the Zoo Crew is behind the mischief, but things are not always what they seem. Although the characters lack depth, the story is enjoyable. Clever logic puzzles and games are appended.
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.
32 pp.
| Dutton
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-47945-1$15.99
(4)
K-3
Look Again Book series.
In this Fourth of July story, Tommy, following his aunt's clues, travels across America from Philadelphia to San Francisco and many places in between. After an introductory poem addressed to readers, the story starts without explanation, and some of the rhymes are forced. Digital illustrations cleverly incorporate search-and-find images of famous Americans, symbols, paintings, and quotations.
32 pp.
| National
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4263-0074-5$15.95
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0075-2$23.90
(3)
K-3
Holidays around the World series.
Heiligman captures the festiveness of Independence Day, also reminding readers of its origin and relevance. She uses the inclusive "we," and her writing is clear and easy to read (though she skims over displacement of Native Americans). Plentiful photographs depict varied community celebrations. Additional facts, a recipe, a map, and a one-page essay by a history professor are included. Reading list, websites. Glos.
32 pp.
| Walker
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-8027-8950-1$16.95
|
LibraryISBN 0-8027-8952-8$17.85
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt Collins.
Donna Rae, who is "known for going a bit too far," tests out some wildly elaborate creations for Danville's Fourth of July cake-baking contest. Each cake is a bigger catastrophe than the last, but Donna Rae emerges undaunted. The illustrations for this funny tall tale feature an effective combination of slapstick and realism.
226 pp.
| Clarion
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-618-27480-4$17.00
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Elaine Clayton.
In the final book about the students of Miss Earth's small-town-Vermont classroom, aliens from the planet Fixipuddle visit again and a Siberian snow spider pursues one of the kids--all this (and more) during Miss Earth's wedding. Cameos from characters (mostly villains) of the previous books feel tangential, but Maguire is otherwise sure-handed with his impressively outrageous plot.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-588-3$21.35
(4)
K-3
Buddy Books: Holidays series.
Following a short description of the featured holiday, Murray discusses its origin, its evolution, and the way it is celebrated today. The writing is simple and straightforward, but bolded key words are not always defined in the text, leading to disruptive detours to the glossary. Photos appear throughout the generally clean layouts. Columbus and King contain timelines. Ind. Review includes these Buddy Books: Holidays titles: Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Columbus Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents' Day.
67 pp.
| Farrar
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-374-31712-7$16.00
(2)
1-3
Illustrated by
Rob Shepperson.
Hill effectively sets up the conflict between Ben and know-it-all new kid Elliot against the background of a hot, dry Fourth of July; the inevitable fireworks are both figurative and literal. This short novel is a bit formulaic, but the story and characters are well focused, the setting is evoked clearly but economically, and the resolution is realistic but satisfying.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2004
32 pp.
| Clarion
| May, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-618-31367-2$$13.00
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Doug Cushman.
A group of mice celebrate Independence Day with a parade, a picnic, a ball game, sack races, a dip in a pond, and, of course, sparklers and fireworks. The energetic watercolors capture the holiday spirit better than the lackluster rhyming text, which--with lines like "Munch, munch, / crunch, crunch, crunch"--relies too heavily on repeated words and onomatopoeia.