My Fourth of July Author: Spinelli, Jerry | ||
Price: $6.50 |
Summary:
A young boy and his family celebrate his favorite day, Independence Day, by seeing a parade, having a picnic, watching a talent show, and enjoying fireworks.
Illustrator: | Day, Larry |
Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 2.00 Points: .5 Quiz: 515072 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (04/15/19)
School Library Journal (06/01/19)
Booklist (07/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/01/2019 PreS-Gr 2–A young boy describes an annual Fourth of July celebration he enjoys with his family and neighbors at a nearby park. After the pajama-clad youngster briefly joins a parade passing his house, he sets about doing the chores he's in charge of, like putting finishing touches on picnic fare and loading the food into a wagon as his dog looks on. Then the family is off, first to the station to greet the flag-festooned train and then to the park. There they enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries, cherry pie, and other goodies along with hot dogs fresh off the grill. The fun-filled day includes face painting, races, interaction with zoo animals, a concert, talent show, and dancing, and culminates in spectacular fireworks over the ball field. Created with pencil, pen, and ink with watercolor and gouache, the large illustrations depict a friendly, multi-ethnic community. Flags abound, not only on the train, but also in people's hands, on houses, and on the grandstand. Three brilliantly colored double spreads show fireworks so wonderful the boy's "heart is cheering" as he "scream[s] with joy." Finally, the red wagon bearing the sleeping child and his dog appears across another spread followed by a scene in which the two are snuggled together in bed. VERDICT Though the steam-powered train at the station evokes a bygone era, this is an excellent read-aloud choice for current Fourth of July revelers and for all holiday collections.–Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/01/2019 It's hard to imagine a more joyous, kid-friendly celebration of the fabulous fourth than this. A boy awakens to the sounds of a parade and the smell of cherry pie wafting from the kitchen. It's the Fourth of July, and he is ready to to celebrate in all his favorite ways. One terrific thing leads to another: a picnic at the park, a baseball game and concert (a flag unfurls for the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner), and finally a fireworks show lights up the sky. While the reason for the holiday is not mentioned, the multitude of flags flying give off a patriotic air, and there is a focus on tradition, with the boy recounting what he remembers and loves from years past. This Fourth of July, which has a small-town or suburban feel, is more chock-a-block than most readers will experience in real life, but the exuberant text and the pencil, ink, watercolor, and gouache artwork, full of movement and delight, will encourage kids to find out what's happening in their local celebrations. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.