Read, White, and Blue! 9 Kids' Books That Celebrate America
By Rachel Ward
Throw on your most red, white, and blue get-up; grab the burgers, ‘dogs, and potato salad; and get ready for those dazzling firework displays—Independence Day is just around the corner! What better time to explore books that celebrate America with your little patriot? Our top ten finds will introduce him to the basics of the U.S.A., show him what makes our country such a special place, and get him excited to explore!
1. Good Night America by Adam Gamble
Age group: Infants/Toddlers
Send your tot to sleep with some of America’s most famous landmarks and places, including the Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Florida Everglades, and the Grand Canyon. Best of all, this sturdy board book can’t be ruined by baby drool or torn apart by a toddler’s ever-exploring hands.
2. America the Beautiful: A Pop-up Book by Robert Sabuda
Age group: Preschool
Your munchkin will love seeing miniature versions of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty rising from the page! Accompanied by the lyrics to America the Beautiful, these paper marvels will awe kids time and again.
3. Hail to the Chief by Callista Gingrich
Age group: Preschool
Little readers will take a journey throughout history with Ellis the Elephant as they learn more about U.S. presidents, from Washington to Obama. There’s even an interactive element: Kids can search for a bald eagle on every page!
4. All Aboard! National Parks by Kevin & Haily Meyers
Age group: Infants/Toddlers
Snuggled up in their parents’ laps, infants and toddlers can visit our most famous national parks, from Yosemite to Acadia to Rocky Mountain—and for each park, they’re introduced to an animal friend who lives there!
5. United Tweets of America by Hudson Talbott
Age group: Preschool
Come one, come all, to the United Tweets of America Pageant! Led by America’s favorite bird—the bald eagle—little ones will learn more about state birds, from Alabama’s Yellowhammer to Wyoming’s western meadowlark.
6. All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino
Age group: Preschool
In search of better opportunities, the Yaccarino family comes to America with only a recipe for tomato sauce and a little shovel to build a new life as Americans. This is a great book to broach the topic of immigration, its role in our country’s history, and the value that immigrants bring to our society.
7. Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America by Lynne Cheney
Age group: Preschool/Kindergarten
Lead your curious reader across the United States, all while cuddled up on the couch! With fun and intriguing tidbits about each state (did you know that 90% of lobsters harvested in the U.S. come from Maine?), there’s something new to learn on every page.
8. The Story of Johnny Appleseed by Aliki
Age group: Preschool
When Johnny Appleseed set off on a journey across America with a bag of apple seeds, a happy tune, and a skip in his step, he probably never knew he’d become a national legend. Kids will adore Johnny’s gentle, friendly nature and discover how something as small as apple seeds can make a world of difference.
9. I Am America by Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Age group: Toddlers/Preschool
Filled with photos of American kids just being kids, this book celebrates the unique personality of the next generation along with the diversity that makes our country so special. To the future!
