The Best 4th of July Picture Books
The Best 4th of July Picture Books
An RA Independence Day Picture Book List
~Daniel Webster~
May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!
Celebrate the Fourth of July with books highlighting fireworks, picnics, parades, and family!
This list focuses solely on celebrating the holiday, its history, the documents that got us here- and one side quest to learn about King George and how he lost a whole country. With many diverse characters, we trust there’s a book for everyone here!
Many of these titles can be read for free on Archive and we’ve linked those for you.
So print the list, read some books, and have a happy Fourth!
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong- This book is perfect for anyone who has ever gone for Chinese food on a holiday. A young girl realizes that maybe there’s room for her family’s food and Apple Pie on the 4th. Archive
Beat the Drum: Independence Day Has Come, Poems for the Fourth of July selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Tomie de Paola- A book of short poems highlighting aspects of the history and traditions of the day. Archive
Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and Kadir Nelson- Written by an immigrant, this beautifully illustrated book shows, through play on words and mirrored meaning phrases, both respect and awe for the sacrifices made for this country and the many faces that make it up. Archive/Archive Spanish
Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? by Jean Fritz and Tomie dePaola- A comical, if verbose, look at King George’s life, including his wins and losses. It’s always healthy to hear from the losing side of a great historic event. Archive
Celebration! by Jane Resh Thomas- A very relatable family gathering full of food, fun, and the general concerns of the cousin who recently got in trouble and the uncle they casually prioritize feeding before he has a beer. A great conversation starter before “those” family gatherings. (I can’t be the only one with relatives imperfect in their own ways?) Archive
The Declaration of Independence Illustrated and Inscribed by Sam Fink- A lusciously illustrated, paragraph by paragraph journey through this founding document. Fabulously oversized when purchased in hardcover.
Enzo and the 4th of July Races by Garth Stein- A fun book for race lovers set on the fourth of July! Told through the eyes of the family dog, we watch Zoë enter her first race despite being told by another kid that she’ll lose because she’s a girl. A fast paced and exciting book! (Content Consideration: a passing good-natured joke about another kid’s butt being a large target for a good kicking on the track.)
The First Book Edition of the Declaration of Independence Introduction by President Eisenhower and Illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher- A part of the First Book series, and harder to find, it’s worth keeping one’s eyes open for a gorgeously illustrated copy of this document of freedom.
Fourth of July by Charles P. Graves (A Holiday Book)- A lovely book that covers the history of the holiday through music, symbols, and major events in America’s history, including the Civil War. Archive
Fourth of July by Barbara M. Joosse- Ross shows great endurance in not quitting the parade even though the banner he carries is quite heavy for a five-year-old and has worn him out. His endurance is well-rewarded at the end of the parade! *Excellent sparkler safety is modeled.* Archive
Fourth of July Mice! by Bethany Roberts and Doug Cushman- An early reader full of sweet little mice on holiday. (Don’t miss the dedication on this one!) Archive
A Fourth of July on the Plains by Jean Van Leeuwen- A wagon train of families all find ways to contribute to a Fourth of July celebration while on the Trail. Archive
The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh and Marie Nonnast- This perennial favorite picture book for the 4th of July is happily still in print and easily available! Archive
The Great Cake Bake by Helen Ketteman and Matt Collins- The poor mayor! As Donna Rae prepares for the 4th of July bake-off, her grand cake adventures keep backfiring and leading to one catastrophe after another. Archive
Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney! by Leslie Kimmelman and Nancy Cote- A diverse community celebrates the Fourth of July in this sweet little rhyming story. Archive
The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George- A Revolutionary War Period overview that highlights where the 4th lands in the greater context of history.
Lady Liberty's Holiday by Jen Arena- Lady Liberty has had enough! She is stiff and tired and goes on vacation only to discover that New York City is planning to cancel the 4th of July if Liberty is no longer a part of it.
Looking for Uncle Louie on the Fourth of July by Kathy Whitehead and Pablo Torrecilla- A south Texas parade full of patriotic Latin flare. I wish Iowa parades had conjunto bands and lowriders! Archive
My Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli and Larry Day- A young boy excitedly goes through all of the events of the busy holiday with his parents. A parade, a picnic, a baseball game, waiting for fireworks, and more!
Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard- A lovely book highlighting friendship, community, and all the different things in the day that can be shared.
The Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry- A board book option for small hands with a simplified story. Archive
Uncle Chente's Picnic/El Picnic De Tio Chente by Diane Gonzales Bertrand and Pauline Rodriguez Howard- A Mexican American family celebrates the 4th in a thunderstorm while listening to childhood stories from Uncle Chente. Unexpectedly, a transformer gets hit by lightning leading to necessary changes to plans . Archive
We the People: The Constitution of the United States by Peter Spier- The full Constitution in text followed by a heavily illustrated preamble. Archive
Don’t forget about our lovely Summer Reading Bundle of trackers and mini challenges available as free printables!
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