Age Level: 3-6 years old
Apple Pie Fourth of July
By: Janet Wong | Illustrated by: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader
A young girl worries that no one will buy the Chinese foods made by her family, especially on the fourth of July — the most American of holidays. Bold colors and shapes convey the child's changing emotions and loving family in this very warm and realistic story.
Capital! Washington D.C. from A to Z
By: Laura Krauss Melmed | Illustrated by: Frané Lessac
Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader
Take a tour of our nation's capital — from A to Z — including both lesser and well-known sights from Gallaudet University (the college for the deaf signed into law by Lincoln) to the Lincoln Memorial and lots more.
Hats Off for the Fourth of July
By: Harriet Ziefert | Illustrated by: Gustaf Miller
Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Pre-Reader
Parades are part of the fun of any Fourth of July celebration. Young readers are invited to join the fun of this down-home parade, told with a jaunty rhythm and rhyme. Animated illustrations literally parade across the pages to a sparkling conclusion.
If I Were President
By: Catherine Stier
Age Level: 3-6 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader
Children describe the basic duties of the U.S. President, from campaign speeches to lighting the national Christmas tree. Cheery illustrations, simple text, and the position's more pleasurable duties create a fine introduction to the office for younger children.
Age Level: 6-9 years old
America Votes: How Our President Is Elected
By: Linda Granfield | Illustrated by: Steve Bjorkman
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Elections are anything but dull, and participation is very important in a democracy. Just consider what it must be like in places where citizens can't vote! This playful introduction to presidential elections provides a brief history of voting in the U.S. (including the "chad story") and encourages young people to get involved.
Celebrate Independence Day with Parades, Picnics, and Fireworks
By: Deborah Heiligman
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Celebrate the birthday of the United States with food and fun while learning the history and meaning behind the various festivities. Elegant, crisp color photographs are sourced as is the information provided in this examination of an all-American day.
Elizabeth Leads the Way
By: Tanya Lee Stone | Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
The life of early voting rights advocate, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, is presented in a compelling text and engaging watercolor illustrations.
George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen By Both Sides
By: Rosalyn Schanzer
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
The Georges most prominent in early America — England's George III and America's George Washington — had much in common even though their politics put them on opposite sides of the issue of independence as well as the Atlantic. Serious information about the men, their struggles, and the times in which they lived is conveyed in an engaging format and light touch that tells of the birth of the United States.
Grace for President
By: Kelly DiPucchio
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
An inspired teacher, the discovery of the fact that all U.S. Presidents (so far) have been male, and a tenacious girl provide the basis of a satisfying, surprisingly plausible story that explains the voting process in this country — including the Electoral College.
Happy Birthday, America
By: Mary Pope Osborne | Illustrated by: Peter Catalanotto
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Realistic watercolors present the summer celebration a boy shares with his family on the 4th of July. The day's activities range from a pet parade and games to a barbeque and concert. The patriotic performance concludes with fireworks, after which the family returns home, tired but happy. The story is inspired by an actual community gala.
If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House
By: Jane O'Connor | Illustrated by: Gary Hovland
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
The "beautiful 200-year-old mansion on 18 acres of land right in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C.," is better known as the White House. It's where most, though not all, U.S. presidents have lived. Fun and fast, this lighthearted look at the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is presented in sound bites and illustrations reminiscent of political cartoons.
John, Paul, George & Ben
By: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Fact and fiction, old and new styles of illustration, wit and seriousness combine in this pithy, lighthearted look at four luminaries in American history. Only mature readers will appreciate the title's name play but are sure to chuckle at the take on John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin. Fact is clearly differentiated from fun at book's end.
Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out
By: National Children's Book & Literacy Alliance
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Over 100 well-known authors and illustrators have provided pieces to this fascinating compendium about the White House. An introduction by historian David McCullough sets the stage for the varied offerings by diverse contributors. This handsome volume is ideal for sharing at home or in classrooms.
Shhh! We're Writing the Constitution
By: Jean Fritz | Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Long ago in 1787, a group of men known as the Founding Fathers of the United States met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. (It's now a national park.) There they discussed, argued, and finally agreed upon a document that still in use today — the U.S. Constitution. Their story is told with verve and humor in this playful book.
Smart About the First Ladies
By: Jon Buller
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Brief, lighthearted looks at the wives of the U.S. Presidents from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama are presented as if put together as a class activity. In a note to their teacher, Team USA concludes, "A lot has changed since 1789, but some things are still the same — the president is still a man, and you still don't get paid to be first lady!"
So, You Want to Be President?
By: Judith St. George
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Anyone can be president, whether fat (William Howard Taft) or tiny (James Madison), relatively young (Teddy Roosevelt at 42) or old (Ronald Reagan at 69). Hobbies, sports, virtues, and vices all get a tongue-in-cheek airing in this fascinating collection of presidential trivia.
The Flag We Love
By: Pam Muñoz Ryan | Illustrated by: Ralph Masiello
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Beginning Reader
Read this book aloud to young readers to teach them about the United States flag, its history, and meaning. The short verse, historical tidbits, and realistic illustrations result in a brief, moving, and patriotic look at this American symbol.
Those Rebels, John and Tom
By: Barbara Kerley | Illustrated by: Edwin Fotheringham
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were very different in everything from appearance to what they liked to do. But they agreed on one thing: King George of England was a tyrant! This lighter look at American history is factual and informative and may be just the introduction to Independence Day as well as two of its key figures.
Unite or Die! The Story of the Thirteen Colonies
By: Jacqueline Jules | Illustrated by: Jef Czekaj
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
Though the first U.S. Census didn't start until 1790, the squat elementary children put on a play that lays the historical foundation for it. The kids of Forest Lake School (sporting shapes of the original 13 states) dramatize the problems faced after the American Revolution which were resolved by the 1787 Constitutional Convention. This entertaining look at the county's start is sure to engage and inspire further research.
Vote!
By: Eileen Christelow
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
The history of voting in the United States is presented using a town's mayoral election as the framework. Even the town dogs have their say in the whimsical, cartoon-like illustrations which provide additional information for the reader.
Wackiest White House Pets
By: Katherine Gibbs Davis
Age Level: 6-9 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
How are dogs, alligators, sheep, cats, and a host of other animals similar? They've all been residents of the president's house as presidential pets! Comical illustrations combine with the often laugh out loud funny tales of pets in the White House.
Age Level: 9-12 years old
Independent Dames: What You Never Knew about the Women and Girls of the American Revolution
By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Age Level: 9-12 years old | Reading Level: Independent Reader
This fact and fun-filled look at female contributions to the American Revolution provides a serious but lighthearted introduction to a range of known and unknown women. Affable illustrations include thought and speech bubbles.
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