The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.
Independent Reading
EASY- Borreguita and the Coyote
- by Verna Aardema. Knopf, 1991
- A little lamb uses her wiles to keep a coyote from eating her up.
- Cranberry Summer
- by Wendy and Harry Devlin. MacMillan Publishing, 1992
- An abandoned circus donkey brings excitement to a Fourth of July celebration.
- Dara's Cambodian New Year
- by Sothea Chiemruom. Half Moon, 1992
- Dara paints a picture of his native Cambodia to celebrate the New Year.
- Hurray for the Fourth of July
- by Wendy Watson. Houghton Mifflin, 1992
- Traditional songs and rhymes add to the celebration of the Fourth of July.
- Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year
- by Kate Waters/Madeline Slovenz-Low. Scholastic, Inc., 1990
- This Chinese New year, Ernie will perform his first Lion Dance.
- July
- by James Stevenson. Greenwillow, 1990
- The writer remembers boyhood summers at his grandparents' house.
- Dragon Parade
- by Steven A. Chin. Steck-Vaughn, 1993
- An immigrant grocer introduces Chinese New Year celebrations to San Francisco.
- The First Thanksgiving
- by Jean C. George. Philomel Books, 1993
- Pilgrims and Native Americans gather to share the bounty and celebrate our country's first Thanksgiving.
- Fourth of July Bear
- by Kathryn Lasky. Morrow, 1991
- Rebecca celebrates the Fourth of July with a new friend on a Maine island.
- Luka's Quilt
- by Georgia Guback. Greenwillow, 1993
- Luka and her grandmother attend a Lei Day celebration.
- Seven Candles for Kwanzaa
- by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Dial, 1993
- Between December 26 and January 1, millions of families observe Kwanzaa by reflecting on seven important principles.
- Tonight Is Carnival
- by Arthur Dorros. Dutton, 1991
- A family prepares to celebrate Carnival in an Andean village.
- Farmer Boy
- by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Harper Collins, 1961
- A farm boy's year includes celebrating Independence Day in town.
- The Fourth of July
- by Mary Kay Phelan. Crowell, 1966
- Tells of the events leading to the Declaration of Independence, and modern celebrations.
- Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa
- by Denise Burden-Patmon. Simon & Schuster, 1992
- Imani learns to celebrate Kwanzaa and share its meaning with another child.
Read Aloud and Reference Books
READ ALOUD BOOKS- Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags
- by James Cross Giblin. Houghton Mifflin, 1983
- Tells the story behind the celebrations and symbols of Independence Day.
- Mexico
- by David Flint. Steck-Vaughn, 1994
- Surveys the geography, people, culture, and industries of Mexico.
- Doodle Dandy! The Complete Book of Independence Day Words
- by Lynda Graham-Barker. MacMillan Publishing, 1992
- Etymologies and facts about everything associated with Independence Day, from fireworks to the founding fathers.
- My Fellow Americans: A Family Album
- by Alice Provenson. Harcourt Brace, 1995
- This pictorial collection portrays people of various cultures who have made our country great.
- For Jefferson and Liberty: The United States in War and Peace
- by Leonard Falkner. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1972
- This book contains vignettes, diary entries, cartoons, and songs that give a vivid picture of America at this time.
- The New Nation
- by Joy Hakim. Oxford University Press, 1993
- Explains historical events, issues, and personalities of our new nation.