I don’t know about you guys but I had SUCH a hard time finding books pertaining to America’s Birthday. I hunted all over the place for a book through which I could introduce my son to the Fourth of July. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, but it was hard to find something!
This year I was positively delighted to find not ONE, but THREE books from Ideals Books. Here they are, in no particular order.
Where is the best place to start? How ’bout at the very beginning? Story of America’s Birthday tells the young reader that at one point in time, in place of 50 states there were 13 colonies. It introduces the idea that the colonist were not free, but had to pay taxes to the king of England “The colonist did not like to pay taxes to the king. One July 4, 1776, leaders from the colonies met. One of the leaders, Thomas Jefferson, wrote the “Declaration of Independence” that declared America to be free. It briefly hits on the idea that America fought a war against England and eventually gained its freedom and therefore we celebrate our country and our freedom every year on the fourth of July.
Next up is The Story of the Star Spangled Banner which, to refresh your memory, was born when America was once again at war with England. (This almost boggles the mind these days, doesn’t it?) This book generically describes the battle of Fort McHenry, and mentions that Frances Scott Key was a witness to this battle. It explains how the battle raged all night and Key prayed for his country. In the morning light, he saw his country’s flag waving in the distance and he wrote a poem to express his feelings. This poem, of course, became our country’s national anthem. At the back of the book, the lyrics are included for easy reference and for you to warble off key with. (Your children will be ever so grateful! Heh.)
Lastly, in keeping with the theme of America’s Indepdence and freedom, you might also want to look into The Story of the Statue of Liberty. It reads as follows:
“Long ago, France helped America win the Revolutionary War and become a free country. The two countries became good friends. Almost a hundred years later, in 1865, a French sulptor named Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was asked to design a really big gift for France to give to America.”
The book talks about how the statute had to be built in piece, was original brown in color but turned green with time. This is an awesome and quick explanation of one of America’s greatest gifts and treasures. I absolutely loved this book.
But then again, I absolutely loved all of these titles as they are so helpful in sharing the reason behind celebrating the Fourth of July to my preschool aged child.
Would you like to win a set of these three books to share with your young readers? Send up some fireworks and leave a comment below! Good luck! We’ll announce the winner on June 23.
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Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
Alison S. says
I love history and these would be perfect for starting little ones along the road toward loving it too.
Krista says
Oh me! Love some history and this would be awesome for my boys!
stephanie says
Enter me please!
Annette W says
My daughter LOVES the Statue of Liberty, and I want to get more books about our country and the SoL, so I would love to win this!
martha c says
I’d love to read them and share them with my family and class!
monica says
me please!
Kirsten T. says
My daughter is fascinated with the Statue of Liberty, although she thinks its the guy that stands outside Liberty Tax Service. This book might help me explain better. LOL. Thanks
Megan B. says
I would love these books for my boy!
Carol M says
I would love to give these books to my three youngest grandsons!
Benita G. says
I’d love these for my class.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Linda Kish says
These sound like wonderful books for teaching children about our country.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sheri says
These would be great choices for the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes at my school.
katklaw777 says
KABOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Fireworks away! thanks for the chance…
Steph says
You really don’t see alot of books about America for the younger readers. These are great. I especially like the Story of America’s Birthday. My kids would enjoy them.
Michele Anne says
This would be great to give to my nieces and nephews….sign me up.
Carolyn says
Oh, please count me in!
Page Turner (Heather) says
We already have The Story of America’s Birthday, but I would love to share it with another friend if we win this set!
Jen B. says
I created 52 lesson plans on the Statue of Liberty when I was training to become a teacher. I’d love to share my passion with my four kids this summer!
Lindsay says
My goddaughters birthday is July 4 and I think this would be a fabulous gift for her!
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/06/picture-books-for-americas-birthday.html
And I’d love to add these to my daughter’s library!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Katie says
I would love to add this to my collection – I don’t believe I have too many on this topic!
[email protected]
trish rowell says
Would love to win these for my daughter. We have some of the other ones and love them. thanks
abi says
These look like really cool children’s books. Please include me. thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
riTa says
Wonderful teaching tools for the grandkids. Thank you!
Jen says
These would be awesome! I love patriotic books!
MJ says
These would be great for my kinder kids!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
PragmaticMom says
I love picture books too!
I wanted to share my favorite picture book list with you from my blog at http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?page_id=1919
It’s Favorite Picture Books that You’ve Never Heard of.
Pragmatic Mom
Type A Parenting for the Modern World
http://PragmaticMom.com
I blog on children’s lit, education and parenting
Hailey says
Caroline would love these!
Stephanie says
We have a few of these “The Story of” books for different holidays. They are short and sweet. Thanks!
Julie says
My boys could use some history lessons, and Lord knows I can’t give it to them.
Thanks!
Beth C says
I would love to win these awesome books! Thanks.
Upstatemomof3 says
Oh these are so completely awesome!!! I would love to add them to my children’s library. I love having books around that tell my kids about holidays and history.
Jackiw says
My son would love these!
Janelle says
What perfect books to read to your child in conjunction with the 4th of July!
Katrina says
I would love to win this for my daughter
Amanda Starr says
My daughter will be learning about this when school starts so would be nice to have, thanks for the chance 🙂
Kim says
love to win this!
Debbie F says
Count me in! My kids would love this especially my little girl who like her mother loves to read! Thanks!
Michele says
This would be great! I love to read books to the kids.