Special Collections
Fourth of July Books for Kids
Description: Celebrate this 4th of July with fireworks, flags, and the Founding Fathers! From the well-known George Washington and John Adams, to Sybil Ludington’s midnight ride, this collection of books brings history and festivity to kids of all ages. #kids
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A Is for America
by Devin ScillianThe author of the charming fable "Fibblestax" includes a rhyming poem for each letter of the alphabet and informational text about the United States.
The Good Fight
by Anne Quirk and Elizabeth BaddeleyCan’t get enough of Hamilton? Think the British were the only ones we squabbled with during the Revolutionary War? Think again! A unique look at how the founding fathers settled their differences in their quest to settle a nation. The Revolutionary War was full of bloody battles and broken treaties. But it wasn’t just about the colonies fighting the crown. In the 18th century, it seemed that everyone was at war with each other—including the very people who were supposedly leading us on a path to independence! Don’t miss out on a ringside seat for these fascinating bouts: • Benjamin Franklin’s son William was once jailed on accusations of being a traitor . . . and Ben didn’t even visit him. • Thomas Jefferson quit his job as secretary of state because his archrival, Alexander Hamilton, started the national bank. • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day. Could it have been mutual exhaustion after years of disagreement? George Washington vs. King George. Benjamin Franklin vs. his son William. John Adams vs. Thomas Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton vs. everyone! Join historian Anne Quirk and illustrator Elizabeth Baddeley as they referee four fascinating historical throw-downs between the founding fathers . . . and prove that the United States of America is a place worth fighting for.
Bald Eagle
by Hal MarcovitzIn the early days of American independence, government leaders tried to identify an animal that would represent the new nation. They settled on the bald eagle, a proud raptor that fiercely defends its nest and its family. The eagle has been used to represent government power since the time of the Roman Empire. In 1787 the bald eagle was officially adopted as the emblem of the United States. The eagle is often shown holding an olive branch (representing peace) and arrows (representing war) in its talons. Today the bald eagle remains a living symbol of American strength and values.
The Declaration of Independence
by Elaine LandauInside this book you will find out information about the Declaration of Independence including the risks people tool to sign it, time lines associated with it, as well as some fun facts.
Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. A True Book -- American History: How do you wrap a 450,000-pound gift? What is the world's oldest and shortest written consitution? Find out in this patriotic celebration of things uniquely American.
What Is the Declaration of Independence?
by Jerry Hoare and Kevin Mcveigh and Michael C. HarrisStep back in time to the birth of America and meet the real-life rebels who made this country free!On a hot summer day near Philadelphia in 1776, Thomas Jefferson sat at his desk and wrote furiously until early the next morning. He was drafting the Declaration of Independence, a document that would sever this country's ties with Britain and announce a new nation--The United States of America. Colonists were willing to risk their lives for freedom, and the Declaration of Independence made that official. Discover the true story of one of the most radical and uplifting documents in history and follow the action that fueled the Revolutionary War.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Jellybeans
by Heather French HenryClaire learns from Ben Franklin and the Founding Fathers that the Fourth of July is more than just fireworks, it's the celebration of our freedoms.
Fantastic Fireworks
by Liz HuyckHave you ever wondered how fireworks work? This article gives you information about how these spectacular shows are created.
Fireworks, Picnics and Flags
by James GiblinThis spirited look at our national birthday explores the stories behind the familiar symbols of the Fourth of July and tells how they have come to be associated with the holiday. It will make the Fourth of July more meaningful for readers young and old.
Fourth of July
by Barbara M. JoosseFive-year-old Ross is often told "wait until you are six," but when he carries a banner to the end of a long, hot Fourth of July parade, his parents decide that he is old enough for sparklers after all.
Hats Off for the Fourth of July!
by Harriet ZiefertSpectators wait to see what will come next as they watch the town's Fourth of July parade.
Murder on the Fourth of July
by Carolyn KeeneAMERICA'S TOP TEEN DETECTIVES TEAM UP TO DEFUSE A BOMBSHELL MURDER CASE NANCY DREW is in Seattle to join in a weekend celebration of the Orca Odyssey, a whale-saving campaign. But the celebration is short-lived. Nancy has learned that the group itself is in danger of extinction. The reason: A major fund-raiser, businessman Ian O'Brien, has been accused of murder! Convinced O'Brien has been framed, Nancy begins her own investigation...with the businessman's future and a potential million-dollar donation at stake. Meanwhile... FRANK and JOE HARDY have just arrived in Seattle from Bayport. They've come at the request of a fireworks manufacturer preparing the city's Fourth of July exhibition: A saboteur has targeted the stage for an Independence Day disaster. Although Nancy and the Hardys may be working different cases, they seem to be working with the same evidence. Is the sabotage connected to the murder? As explosive as the question may be, the fireworks are just beginning... in MURDER ON THE FOURTH OF JULY
Apple Pie Fourth Of July
by Janet S. WongNo one wants Chinese food on the Fourth of July, I say. We're in apple-pie America, and my parents are cooking chow mein!. . . They just don't get it. Americans do not eat Chinese food on the Fourth of July. Right? Shocked that her parents are cooking Chinese food to sell in the family store on this all-American holiday, a feisty Chinese-American girl tries to tell her mother and father how things really are. But as the parade passes by and fireworks light the sky, she learns a lesson of her own. This award-winning author-illustrator team returns with a lighthearted look at the very American experience of mixed cultures.
Five 4ths of July
by Pat HughesOn July 4th, 1777, Jake Mallory and his friends are celebrating their new nation's independence in a small coastal town in Connecticut. Fourteen year old Jake wants nothing more than to get out from under the strict thumb of his father and see some adventure. But he learns too late that he must be careful what he wishes for. Over the course of four more 4ths, he finds himself in increasingly adventurous circumstances-from battling the British army to barely surviving on a prison ship to finally returning home, war-torn and weary, but hopeful for his and America's future.
Fourth of July Mice!
by Bethany Roberts and Doug CushmanIt's the most patriotic of all holidays-Independence Day! The Holiday Mice take part in all the activities that make the Fourth of July fun: a parade, a picnic, a baseball game and sack race, and a refreshing dip in the stream. Even Mr. Mouse, the littlest mouse's special toy, joins in the festivities. The best part of all comes at the end of the day: a spectacular fireworks show!Packed with plenty of red, white, and blue and featuring the four Holiday Mice at their most adorable, this story about our nation's birthday will delight readers young and old alike.
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A.
by Marjorie PricemanIN THIS EXUBERANT companion story to How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, our young baker sets her sights on a cherry pie. She heads off on a round-the-U.S.A. journey to find all the materials she needs to stock her kitchen: New Mexico for clay (mixing bowl), Washington for wood (rolling pin), Hawaii for sand (sand? to make the glass for her measuring cup, of course). In joyful art filled with small vignettes and sly humor, two-time Caldecott Honor winner Marjorie Priceman takes us on a cross country journey by riverboat, taxi, bus, train, plane--all in search of the natural resources of our country. Includes a brightly painted endpaper map of the U.S.A.--and a recipe for cherry pie, of course!
Chains
by Laurie Halse AndersonFrom acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling first novel in the historical middle grade The Seeds of America trilogy that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
by Callista Gingrich and Susan ArcieroEllis the Elephant dives back into history! In Yankee Doodle Dandy, the third installment of this New York Times bestselling series, America's favorite time traveling pachyderm is back, teaching kids (and parents!) about the American Revolution. In Sweet Land of Liberty and Land of the Pilgrims' Pride, Ellis the Elephant explored pivotal moments that shaped American history. Now Ellis is back, and eager to learn about America's most beloved patriots and their courageous fight for independence. Traveling through time, Ellis the Elephant encounters the Sons of Liberty, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, the Founding Fathers, Betsy Ross, and more. Authored by Callista Gingrich and illustrated by Susan Arciero, Yankee Doodle Dandy educates and entertains as Ellis the Elephant experiences the American Revolution. With beautiful illustrations and charming rhymes, Yankee Doodle Dandy is a must read for young and old alike who want to know how America became a free and independent nation.
Independence Day (Holidays, Festivals, & Celebrations)
by Ann HeinrichsFireworks, parades, and picnics are just a few of the ways Americans commemorate their freedom every July. Colorful photos and engaging text tell the story of our struggle for independence from Great Britain.
Fireworks at the FBI
by Ron RoyKC and her friend Marshall are watching the fourth of July fireworks with the president of the United States when they see smoke and sparks in the distance. It's more fireworks, but they are not part of the holiday plan. They're coming from the FBI Building! Is it just a prank? Or are these fireworks masking a bigger mystery . . . and a capital crime? From the Trade Paperback edition.
I, Too, Am America
by Langston Hughes and Bryan CollierWinner of the Coretta Scott King illustrator award, I, Too, Am America blends the poetic wisdom of Langston Hughes with visionary illustrations from Bryan Collier in this inspirational picture book that carries the promise of equality. This picture book of Langston Hughes's celebrated poem, "I, Too, Am America," is also a Common Core Text Exemplar for Poetry. Image descriptions present.
Olivia Forms a Band
by Dame Edna and Ian FalconerEveryone's favorite Caldecott Honor-winning porcine diva is back, and with fanfare! There are going to be fireworks tonight, and Olivia can hardly wait to hear the band. But when she finds out that there isn't going to be a band, she can't understand why not. How can there be fireworks without a band?! And so Olivia sets to putting a band together herself...all by herself. Using pots, pans, her brother's toys, and even her father's suspenders, Olivia forms a band spectacular enough to startle any audience. Lavishly brought to life in Ian Falconer's signature style, and introducing an eye-catching shade of blue, here is Olivia doing what Olivia does best -- making noise.
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We the Kids
by David CatrowA long time ago some smart guys wrote the Preamble to the Constitution. You have probably read it before, but do you know what it means? And did it ever make you laugh? Now it will! Perfect for inspiring discussion in classrooms and around kitchen tables, this fun-filled and cheerfully illustrated look at the Preamble provides an accessible introduction to America's founding ideals for citizens of all ages. Includes a glossary of terms and a foreword by the artist. "This zany, patriotic paean offers kids lighthearted but meaningful incentive to reflect further on the relevance of those 'big words' and 'big ideas.'"
Pooh and the Storm That Sparkled
by Isabel GainesPooh sees strange lights flashing in the sky and thinks there is a big storm approaching. He and Piglet go to warn their friends, and discover they're all on the Great Hill -- right where the storm is!
Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
by Jean FritzGo behind the scenes at the Constitutional Convention, thanks to award-winning author Jean Fritz's words!
This factual gem that's written with Newbery Honor author Jean Fritz's humorous touch chronicles the hot summer of 1787 where fifty-five delegates from thirteen states huddled together in the strictest secrecy in Philadelphia to draw up the constitution of the United States!
Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride
by Marsha AmstelThe story of Sybil Ludington's ride on horseback to rouse American soldiers to fight against the British who were attacking Danbury, Connecticut during the American Revolution.