Betsy Ross by Becky White is an excellent book for a baby and toddler story time, as well as a preschool story time. The book tells the story of the steps Betsy took to make our first flag with short sentences that have easy to comprehend vocabulary, along with bright vivid pictures. In the first picture, Betsy rips a red cloth to make "seven rich, crimson strips". She clips a white silk slip and cuts the white stars from it. The book shows how she used indigo dye to dye some of the cloth blue. When she is finished, Betsy stands smiling at the flag that is flying. The book also includes an author's note on the history of how the first American flag was made and instructions on how children can make their own Betsy Ross Star.
Hats Off for the Fourth of July! by Harriet Ziefert is a good book for a preschool story time. It tells the story of a 4th of July parade in Chatham, Massachusetts which is a parade that occurs annually. The parade features baton twirlers, cowboys, clowns, the high school band, and motorcycles. The parade also has unusual floats such as a whale watch float, and a float with Miss Eelgrass who is a mermaid with green hair, as well as marching patriots with muskets and hats. The parade ends with an airplane writing Happy 4th in the sky. The illustrations make the reader feel like he or she is standing on the sidewalk watching the parade go by.
Red, White, and Boom by Lee Wardlaw is a delightful book with a diverse cast of characters. The book has short, sweet, and simple rhymes and shows the different events that the characters experience on the 4th of July: watching the parade, going to the beach and having a picnic, and watching the fireworks. Some of my favorite rhymes from the book are as follows:
"Shoulder seat
Thumping beat
July 4th drums down the street!"
"Frisbee zips
Doggie flips
Spike the ball
Picnic sprawl"
"Peacock plume
Sunburst bloom
Star flakes spill
Heart-thump thrill"
I also absolutely adore the collage style illustrations! I would use this book for a baby and toddler story time or a preschool story time.
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet Wong tells the story of a Chinese girl whose parents own a Chinese restaurant that is open on the 4th of July. In vain, she tells her parents that absolutely no one will want Chinese food on the 4th of July! Her father reminds her that fireworks are Chinese. Later on that day, they get many customers who order Chinese food at the restaurant. The day closes with the girl and her parents climbing up to the rooftop, eating apple pie, and watching fireworks. I would use this book for a preschool story time.
In this delightful book, Pie is for Sharing by Stephnie Parsley Ledyard, children learn the joy of sharing as they celebrate 4th of July by having a picnic, going to the beach, and watching fireworks. As the author mentions it's hard to share pie because "you can slice it into as many pieces as you wish. Almost." What else can children share? A book, a ball, and a tree. Children can also share a jump rope, a rhyme, and time. As the author mentions, some things are harder to share than others, such as your best friend who happens to be a dog. I would use this book for a preschool story time.
Other 4th of July books
The Great Cake Bake by Helen Ketterman
Hurray for the Fourth of July by Wendy Watson
Celebrate Independence Day by Amy Hayes
In 1776 by Jean Marzollo
Happy Birthday America by Mary Pope Osborne
Other books that aren't specifically about the 4th of July but fit in with the 4th of July theme
How to Make an Apple Pie and see the world by Marjorie Priceman
Grace for President by Kelly Dipucchio: this book has a section that explains how the Electoral College works!
Olivia forms a band by Ian Falconer
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
No comments:
Post a Comment