Happy Birthday America! Top 4th Of July Books For Preschoolers

Ahhhh Summer.

The time of year where we get to play at the pools, beaches, eat massive food at cookouts, and celebrate our Independence. Chances are, with the children being home for summer vacation, you'll take trips to the Library and book stores.

We have a nice list of fun reads for you and your child to enjoy.

1 - 

The Night Before the Fourth of July

The twentieth title in the bestselling Night Before series is the perfect summer treat! 

It's the night before the Fourth of July and all across the United States people are getting ready for hot dogs and fireworks. Decked in red, white, and blue, a family heads to a parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with friends and family, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and of course, watches a fireworks show. The Night Before the Fourth of July captures all the fun, excitement, and pride of the best summer holiday!

2 - 

Corduroy's Fourth of July 

Celebrate summer with a Corduroy board book adventure!

Today is the Fourth of July, and Corduroy and his friends are having a fun-filled picnic. They eat tasty treats and play games in the hot summer sun. Then it’s time to cool down with a dip in the pool. Next they take part in an Independence Day parade! Scruffy Pup bangs the drum, Checkerboard Bunny plays the flute, and Corduroy carries the American flag. Once it’s dark outside, the friends gather to watch an amazing fireworks display.

This sturdy, brightly colored shaped board book is perfect for the youngest fans of Corduroy, one of the best-loved characters in children’s books for nearly 40 years.

3 - 

The Story of America's Birthday

This little book presents the story of the founding of America in words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand. Vibrant illustrations paired with the text help to create the connection between the story of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution and today's Fourth of July festivities. Parents can use this book to introduce little ones to the history and meaning behind Independence Day. Ages 2-5.

4 - 

Apple Pie Fourth of July

Shocked that her parents are cooking Chinese food to sell in the family store on an 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 surprising lesson. 

5 - 

Eloise and the Big Parade

Eloise and Nanny are going to a big parade!

6 - 

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!

It's the 4th of July and all over town, people are getting ready. Jenny Sweeney gives her dog, Rags, a bath. All the preparations lead up to the big parade and a night of bright fireworks. It's a great day. "Happy Birthday, USA!"

7 - 

F Is for Flag (Reading Railroad)

June 14 is Flag Day, but with so many American flags proudly displayed, every day seems like Flag Day. Perfect for reading together with a young child, F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family.

8 - 

L Is for Liberty (Reading Railroad)

For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has stood proudly in New York Harbor, welcoming people from near and far. Perfect for reading together with a young child, L Is for Liberty uses simple language and bold illustrations to celebrate the statue, her history, and the freedom she stands for.

9 - 

A Is for America: A Patriotic Alphabet Book

Little ones will love learning American history in Tanya Lee Stone's latest alphabet book. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman!

10 - 

The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

The Bear family and their Bear Country neighbors celebrate the Fourth of July with a big parade. But not before the cubs get a lesson about the blessings of freedom for their country.  Features 12 full-color stickers.

Ten Books To Read Over The Thanksgiving Break

Are you looking for some great books for that evening story time with your child over the Thanksgiving Holiday? Well, have I got a list for you!

With the holidays right around the corner--there is plenty of opportunities for you and your children to spend some quality story time together.  We went around the school and compiled a list of fantastic reads from our teachers, that are sure to leave your children raving to all of their friends how they have the coolest parents....EVER!  It doesn't take much at this young age ;)

1)  Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano.

Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble.  The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving....and you're the main course.  But Turkey has an idea-what if he doesn't look like a turkey?  What if he looks like another animal instead?  After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!

***Rating 5 Hilarious Gobbles***

2)  Ten Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston.

This silly rhyming story about ten turkeys teaches children how to count backwards.

"Looky!"says a silly turkey swinging from a vine.
Gobble gobble wibble wobble
Whoops!  Now there are nine.

Girls and boys will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noddle dance, and more.

3)  Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

The incomparable Dav Pilkey adapts Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem to tell this wacky Thanksgiving tale.

The day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm.  They have fun playing with eight exuberant turkeys , but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggent plans to kill all of the turkey for Thanksgiving dinners. So the children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinner become vegetarian this year.

4)  I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie by Alison Jackson

I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry.

And with that, the fest begins!  After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey!  As Mother and Father watch in shock, the two children are delighted to see the old lady growing fatter and fatter.  And, in the end, the old lady makes a surprising and humorous contribution to the Thanksgiving festivities.

5)  The Thankful Book by Todd Par

I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance
I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play
I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved

Todd Par's books have taught kids about unconditional love, respecting the earth, facing fears, and more, all with this signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity.  Now, The Thankful book celebrates all the things children can give thanks for.  For everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals together, and special alone time between parent and child.  Todd Par inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments.

6)  The Magic Treehouse's Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborn
((Recommended for First Grade and up))

Jack and Annie are ready for their next fantasy adventure in the best-selling series--The Magic Treehouse.

It's a time for giving thanks...

When the Magic Treehouse whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving day.  The pilgrims ask them to help get things ready.  But, whether it's cooking or clamming, Jack and Annie don't know how to do anything the Pilgrim way.

Will they ruin the holiday forever?  Or will the feast go on?

7)  A Plump And Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman

Turkeys around Squawk Valley just don't jump into pots anymore.  They are way too smart for that. So the townspeople hatch a clever plan.  They host a turkey-themed arts and crafts fair and lure a vain bird into town by advertising for an artist's model.  Peter the turkey, proud of his well-stuffed form, takes the bait, but doesn't fall for the trap.

8)  Junie B. Jones Turkeys We Have Loved And Eaten by Barbara Park

Room One is getting ready for their very own Thanksgiving feast.  There's even a contest to see which room writes the best Thankful list.  The winners will get a pumpkin pie!  Only it turns out, being thankful is harder than it looks.  Because Junie B. isn't actually thankful for Tattletale May.  Or scratchy pilgrim costumes.  And pumpkin pie makes her vomit, anyway.  Will Room One win the disgusting pie?  Can May and Junie B. find common ground?  Or will this Thanksgiving feast turn into a turkey day disaster?

9)  Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks--The questions is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to the warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures.  But what is most important is being able to share them with the family.

And last but not least, and old familiar story

10)  The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin by Stan Berenstain

The Bear family might not win the blue ribbon for their entry in the pumpkin contest during the annual Bear County Thanksgiving Festival, but they do gain a new appreciation of the true spirit of the holiday and all they have to be thankful for.