This weekend it is the beloved 4th of July in the United States, which is also our Independence Day (the day we gained & secured our freedom from Great Britain.) I love this holiday, for all the yummy foods, parades, fireworks, games, pool time, & family time involved in.  My mama always grills out & my siblings & I always went swimming & played outside together too, so that's one tradition I'm used to! And fireworks shows...ALWAYS!
What traditions does your family have to celebrate the 4th? 

Independence Day Books:  
1. My 4th of July
by: Jerry Spinelli 
(The little boy in this story starts his day off with a parade from his front porch, & he is in his pajamas. His family always has a picnic at the park, so he tries to keep everyone on schedule as his mom prepares the traditional picnic; he then joins friends at the park for games, music & performances at the gazebo, & then after much feasting, fireworks! And he knows the perfect spot to stake out for his family to watch the fireworks-- the baseball field!) 
www.amazon.com/My-Fourth-July-Jerry-Spinelli/dp/0823442888/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=my+4th+of+july&qid=1624994273&sr=8-3 
2. Our American Flag
by: Mary Lynn Firestone & Matthew Thomas Skeens
(The Bear Family & neighbors are celebrating the 4th of July with a big ole parade, after the cubs get a lesson about the freedom of their country.)
www.amazon.com/Our-American-Flag-Symbols/dp/1404822186/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=american+flag&qid=1624995421&s=books&sr=1-2 

3. My Country 'Tis of Thee
by: Scholastic
(The lyrics to the song fill the pages of these photographs taken around the U.S.)
www.amazon.com/Country-Thee-Samuel-Francis-Smith/dp/0439391954/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=my+country+tis+of+thee&qid=1625006299&s=books&sr=1-5 

4.The 4th of July Story
by: Alice Dalgliesh 
(This story goes back in time, to revolutionary times when the colonists desired freedom from England more than anything else! And it also talks about the writing of the Declaration of Independence.)  
www.amazon.com/Fourth-July-Story-Alice-Dalgliesh/dp/0689718764/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+4th+of+july+story&qid=1625077689&s=books&sr=1-1
5. God Bless Our Country
by: Jan Berenstain
(
www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Country-Living-Lights/dp/0310734851/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=god+bless+us+our+country&qid=1625184502&s=books&sr=1-4 

6. L is for Liberty
by: Wendy Cheyette Lewis
(The Statue of Liberty has proudly stood in New York Harbor, for all to see, for over a century & this cute story uses colorful illustrations& basic language to celebrate the statue & all she stands for.)
www.amazon.com/Liberty-Railroad-Books-Cheyette-Lewison/dp/0448432285/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=L+is+for+Liberty&qid=1625191501&s=books&sr=1-2

7. The Night Before the Fourth of July 
by: Natasha Wing
(It's 4th of July eve, & people across the U.S. are getting ready to grill out & go see fireworks with their families. The family in this story heads to a parade first thing on the morning of Independence Day, get caught in a downpour, but then manage to make it to cookouts & fireworks afterwards.)
www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Fourth-July/dp/0448487128/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+night+before+the+fourth+of+july&qid=1625331069&sr=8-1

8. Fourth of July (Holiday Rhyme & Rhythm)
by: Emma Carlson Berne & Luke Flowers
(The 4th of July is special, because it's when Americans remember the founding fathers & all of their hard work in founding the United States. Citizens celebrate via parades & fireworks ---this book includes a CD & has all kinds of patriotic music included!) 
www.amazon.com/Fourth-July-Holidays-Rhythm-Rhyme/dp/1684101255/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fourth+of+july+holiday+rhyme&qid=1625340490&s=books&sr=1-1

9.F is for Flag
by: Wendy Cheyette Lewison & Barbara Duke
(Even though June 14 is officially flag day, when Americans celebrate the 4th of July, you will find American flags out everywhere!) 
www.amazon.com/Reading-Railroad-Wendy-Cheyette-Lewison/dp/0448428385/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=f+is+for+flag&qid=1625340592&s=books&sr=1-1
​
10. Hats off For the Fourth of July
by: Harriet Ziefert & Gus Miller
(All kinds of wonderful groups, music & displays to see & hear at a parade. Who will come next? There are some crowd favorites in this town & everyone anxiously awaits the next float or the marching band!) 
www.amazon.com/Hats-Fourth-July-Harriet-Ziefert/dp/0670891185/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hats+off+for+the+fourth+of+july&qid=1625340082&s=books&sr=1-1
11. Curious George at the Parade
by: H.A. & Margret Rey
(
www.amazon.com/Curious-George-at-Parade-Rey/dp/0395978378/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Curious+George+Parade&qid=1625191712&s=books&sr=1-1

12. Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!
by: Leslie Kimmelman & Nancy Cote
(All over town, people are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Jenny decides to give her dog a bath & prepare for the USA birthday party, complete with parades & fireworks.)
www.amazon.com/Happy-4th-July-Jenny-Sweeney/dp/0807531529/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1JKPJNVGNNTL8&dchild=1&keywords=happy+4th+of+july+jenny+sweeney&qid=1625339998&s=books&sprefix=happy+4th+of+july+jeny%2Cstripbooks%2C219&sr=1-3

13. What is America?
by: Michelle Medlock Adams & Amy Wummer
(America is much more than monuments & symbols, although this cute picture book will discuss the Statue of Liberty & the American flag. America is a land of freedom & democracy; it is also a place where dreamers dreams can come true.)
www.amazon.com/What-America-Michelle-Medlock-Adams/dp/0824916956/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=what+is+america&qid=1625331249&sr=8-1
14. Americans
by:
(

I've been researching and rounding up books about kids baking & cooking for awhile now; it's such a fun topic! And I've added a few nonfiction (kid-friendly) recipe books to the mix because reading instructions for a recipe is *reading* too! It's so neat that there are so many different ways to expose kids to reading, & baking together is a really playful way to teach them to read & recognize measurements. 
I'd love to know of any favorite baking & cooking books you might have! 
Baking & Cooking Books for Kids: 
1. Amy Wu & the Perfect Bao
by:  Kat Zhang & Charlene Chua
(Amy loves making bao with her family; everyone has a job to help it be a successful experience. But Amy's baos never turn out right; they're either to small or they're bursting at the seams & losing all their filling. Amy is very discouraged, until she gets the idea that perhaps she needs less dough than the grown ups to form her own perfectly sized bao.)
www.amazon.com/Amy-Perfect-Bao-Kat-Zhang/dp/153441133X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2W1P4MDTOXYPU&dchild=1&keywords=amy+wu+and+the+perfect+bao&qid=1624338785&s=books&sprefix=amy+wu%2Cstripbooks%2C214&sr=1-1

2. Froggy Bakes a Cake
by: Jonathan London
(It's Froggy's mom's birthday & he insists that he knows just how to bake her cake & doesn't need any help from his dad. But he makes a big baking mess & then ends up blowing up the cake in the oven, but his intentions were good.) 
​www.amazon.com/Froggy-Bakes-Cake-Jonathan-London/dp/0448421534/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=froggy+bakes+a+cake&qid=1624333998&sr=8-1 

3. Grandma & Me in the Kitchen 
by: Danielle Kartes & Annie Wilkinson
(This book has little recipe starters & beginning kitchen skills, in addition to recipes that can be prepared with kids!)
www.amazon.com/Grandma-Me-Kitchen-Little-Chef/dp/1728214157/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=grandma%27s+kitchen&qid=1624334747&s=books&sr=1-2 n

4. Thunder Cake
by: Patricia Polacco 
(There's a thunderstorm at Grandma's house, so it's perfect baking weather! A grandma & her granddaughter are rushing around the farm to gather the ingredients for their yummy cake, while the storm is getting closer all the time.)
www.amazon.com/Thunder-Cake-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0698115813/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=thunder+cake&qid=1624377721&sr=8-1

5. Salma the Syrian Chef
by: Danny Ramdan & Anna Bron
(Salma wants to cheer her mama up; she's missing home, in Syria, & she's sure a homemade Syrian meal will do the trick! But she's not sure where to find the recipe or how to say the vegetables in English...thankfully the staff in her Welcome Home are willing to lend a hand, & Salma makes a thoughtful dish for her mama.)
www.amazon.com/Salma-Syrian-Chef-Danny-Ramadan/dp/177321375X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=salma+the+syrian+chef&qid=1624383742&sr=8-1

6. Dough Knights & Dragons
by: Dee Leone & George Ermos
(One evening, a knight & a dragon meet in a cave & the knight is surprised to learn the dragon doesn't want to destroy him, but instead enjoys baking. Soon the dragon & knight are a baking duo, until the dreaded knight-dragon tournament approaches. They don't want to fight each other....but it is what the king & dragon king expect. Will the two unlikely friends come up with a solution to prevent fighting in the arena?)
www.amazon.com/Dough-Knights-Dragons-Dee-Leone/dp/1454921412/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dough+knights+%26+dragons&qid=1624389946&sr=8-1

7. Bunny Cakes
by: Rosemary Wells
(Max wants to bake a cake for Grandma too, like his big sister Ruby, but he keeps ruining her preparations, so after being sent to the store a few times, Max decides to create a special cake of his own. A mud cake!) 
www.amazon.com/Bunny-Cakes-Rosemary-Wells/dp/0140566678/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bunny+cakes&qid=1624390115&sr=8-1
​
8. Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie
by: Herman Parish & Lynne Avril
(Amelia is so excited for fall & baking a warm apple pie with her family!) 
www.amazon.com/Amelia-Bedelias-First-Apple-Pie/dp/0061964093/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=amelia+bedelia+bakes&qid=1624338066&s=books&sr=1-10 

9. Kids Can Cook
by: Coombs Esther
(Colorful illustrations in a recipe format, easy-to-follow, will make all kids eager & a little curious about cooking in the kitchen!) 
www.amazon.com/Kids-Can-Cook-Recipes-Budding/dp/1787080714/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kids+can+cook&qid=1624391966&sr=8-2

10. Curious George Makes Pancakes 
by: H.A. Rey
(That curious little monkey just can't help himself; when he attends the benefit breakfast for the children's hospital with the man in the yellow hat, he makes his way to the pancake mixing table & decides to help out. George is especially excited about flipping the pancakes over.) 
www.amazon.com/Curious-George-Makes-Pancakes-stickers/dp/1328581314/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=curious+george+makes+pancakes&qid=1624395269&sr=8-1

11. The Tiny Baker 
by: Hayley Barrett & Alison Jay
(Each day, insect customers line up at the tiny baker's tearoom, but then her ladybug cook leaves & then upends the pristine little kitchen. And the tiny baker learns an important lesson about friendship.) 
www.amazon.com/Tiny-Baker-Hayley-Barrett/dp/1646860705/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+tiny+baker&qid=1624395358&sr=8-1
​
12. Bake a Rainbow Cake
by: Amirah Kassem (*board book format)
(A very interactive book, with tabs to pull & flaps to open as you discover how to create a rainbow explosion cake.)
www.amazon.com/Bake-Rainbow-Cake-Amirah-Kassem/dp/1419737465/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bake+a+rainbow+cake&qid=1624407650&sr=8-1
​
13. Baking Day at Grandma's
by: Anika Denise & Christopher Denise
(Three little bears can't wait to go through the snow to Grandma's house, to pour & mix a wintry treat, with breaks for hot cocoa as they go! The sweetest part of this story is when the bears, after enjoying their time together, decide to package up the treats in ribbons to show that treats are even better when they're shared.) 
www.amazon.com/Baking-Day-Grandmas-Anika-Denise/dp/0399242449/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1624407974&sr=8-1
​
14. Berenstain Bears Holiday Cookbook
by: Jan Berenstain 
(A book of illustrated, tasty but basic recipes for annual holidays.)

 15. Pinkalicious
by: Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann
(Pinkalicious & her mama are baking yummy cupcakes on a rainy day; Pinkalicious, of course, wants the cupcakes to be super pink! The trouble starts when Pinkalicious can't stop eating the cupcakes, & her skin turns pink as a result. The doctor diagnoses her with pinkitis, which Pinkalicious doesn't think is too awful, until she turns red! And then she's ready to eat all the green foods in their fridge to turn back to her normal skin color.) 
www.amazon.com/Pinkalicious-Victoria-Kann/dp/0060776390/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=pinkalicious&qid=1624462889&sr=8-13

Father's Day is in two more Sundays (I have to say it that way because my toddler keeps asking me.) He is SO excited to do some nice things for his best friend; Daddy. I'd love to hear what some of your traditions & Father's Day celebrations are like. I'd also love to learn of any other fathers-oriented books you & your family enjoy! 

Father's Day Round-Up: 
1. Me & My Dad
by: Allison Ritchie & Alison Edgson
(
www.amazon.com/Me-My-Dad-Alison-Ritchie/dp/158925158X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=me+%26+my+dad&qid=1623357276&sr=8-3
2. You Made me a Dad
by: Laurenne Sala & Mike Malborough 
(Beautiful watercolor illustrations in this book will depict all the fears, joys, & responsibilities of being a dad over the years. I loved the sound of this title & think it will be a sweet gift to share with my husband this year. It brings back a lot of memories of when I was pregnant with our first-- a boy-- & how excited & nervous my husband really was.) 
www.amazon.com/You-Made-Dad-Laurenne-Sala/dp/0062396943/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=me+and+dad&qid=1623356231&sr=8-5
3. The Night Before Father's Day
by: Natasha Wing
(Mom & the kids have some surprises planned for fathers day. When dad goes for a bike ride, everyone goes to work, cleaning dads car & organizing the garage, etc. Because he's so thankful, Dad takes everyone for a spin in the car the next day!) 
www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Fathers-Day/dp/0448458713/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+night+before+father%27s+day&qid=1623648778&s=books&sr=1-1

4.  You Be Daddy
by: Karla Clark & Steph Lew
(In this clever role reversal, a daddy tells his son he's just too tired to be daddy for the night. So he asks his son to take over the role for him & it's pretty humorous what ensues.) 
www.amazon.com/dp/1250225396/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=01227bc462e7dfbcbaf1aacc90adce4a&hsa_cr_id=9693253320301&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=4ec20311-874f-41f4-906b-fff7083dd751&pd_rd_w=UBxFj&pd_rd_wg=cA6Pz&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_td_asin_1_img

5. Daddies are Awesome
by: Meredith Costain
(Daddies are just so cool; thoughtful, playful, cuddly & caring. This little book is a rhyming text that celebrates the special bond between daughters & daddies.) 
kidsbooks.com/Store/Details/9781250107206B/daddies-are-awesome 

6. Why a Daughter Needs a Dad
by: Gregory Lang & Sydney Hanson
(I shared the Mother's Day version of this book, so now I have to share this darling version of why girlies need their daddies. There are cute little animal illustrations depicting all the ways a girl & her dad might spend time together; a reminder for little girls from their dads to be thoughtful, artistic, honest, & true to herself!) 
www.amazon.com/Why-Daughter-Needs-Gregory-Lang/dp/1492667838/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=the+night+before+father%27s+day&qid=1623648997&s=books&sr=1-7 

7. How to Babysit a Grandpa
by: Jean Reagan & Lee Wildish
(In a cute role reversal, the kid in this story gets to "babysit" his grandpa while his parents go out. He picks their food, activities, & even heads up nap time before his parents get back & has a great time with his grandpa.)
www.amazon.com/How-Babysit-Grandpa-relationships/dp/0375867139/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+babysit+a+grandpa&qid=1623725426&sr=8-1

8. We Love our Dad
by: Jan & Mike Berenstain
(Papa Bear has always been there for his cubs, but will he allow them to treat him for a change, on Father's Day? A celebration of goofy, lovable dads everywhere.)
www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Love-Our-Dad/dp/0062075519/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=we+love+our+dad&qid=1623649693&s=books&sr=1-1

9. Made for Me
by:  Zach Bush & Gregorio de Lauretis
(
www.amazon.com/Made-Me-Zack-Bush/dp/1641702001/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=made+for+me&qid=1623649774&s=books&sr=1-1

10. My Dad
by: Anthony Browne
(This book is a fun perspective on all the things that make dads so wonderful; from being as "strong as a gorilla" to being a great singer & the family comedian. But that's not all! Read this cute book to learn more in a child-like tribute to dads everywhere.)
www.amazon.com/My-Dad-Anthony-Browne/dp/0385606133/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=my+dad&qid=1623649559&s=books&sr=1-4

11. Grandpa's Promise
by: Susan Jones & Lee Holland 
(Each spread of this precious picture book depicts how grandfathers contribute to a child's life. Whether it's grandpa the teacher, the protector, or the snuggler, grandpas have a special relationship with their grandchildren!) 
www.amazon.com/Grandpas-Promise-Susan-Jones/dp/1510748180/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=grandpa%27s+promise&qid=1623649372&s=books&sr=1-1 

12. My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by: Isabel Quintero & 
(A girl eagerly awaits her papi arriving home from work for the day so they can write his motorcycle around town together. It's their thing. And the little girl loves to imagine all kinds of things as she rides behind her daddy on the bike; it's sweet.)
www.amazon.com/My-Papi-Has-a-Motorcycle/dp/B081TLSZSH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=my+papi+has+a+motorcycle&qid=1623650037&s=books&sr=1-1 

13. How to Surprise a Dad
by: Jean Reagan & Lee Wildish
(Some fun things to do for dads, whether it be their birthday, father's day, or another special occasion: make a surprise party, make his favorite treats, create helpful things for him, & most of all, make sure he feels loved!) 
www.amazon.com/How-Surprise-Dad-relationships/dp/0553498363/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+surprise+a+dad&qid=1623811986&sr=8-1

14. My Dad 
by: Susan Quinn & Marina Ruiz
(From enjoying sunsets together to playing make-believe, this is a darling tribute to dads everywhere as a child reveals their very favorite things to do with their daddy.) 
www.amazon.com/My-Dad-Susan-Quinn/dp/0711255342/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=my+dad&qid=1623812375&sr=8-4