Happy Birthday, America - Softcover

Osborne, Mary Pope

Softcover

ISBN 10: 031238050X ISBN 13: 9780312380502

Publisher: Square Fish, 2008

Synopsis

Bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne takes us through a lively celebration of the Fourth of July in small-town America. Three generations enjoy parades, popcorn, "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and at the end of the day, lightning bugs and fireworks. "Then I blow out the stars, as if they were candles on a giant birthday cake"―a glorious image in Peter Catalanotto's glowing illustrations.

About this title

About the Author:

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the multimillion-copy bestselling Magic Tree House series, as well as the "stirring" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), patriotic New York's Bravest. She lives in northwestern Connecticut.

Peter Catalanotto's recent book for Roaring Brook Press, We Wanted You, written by Liz Rosenberg, was praised by Publishers Weekly for its "radiant paintings" and by School Library Journal for "glowing illustrations." He lives in southeastern Pennsylvania.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Independence and patriotism are hard concepts for the very young to grasp. Osborne tackles this challenge through a nostalgic recollection of a small-town Fourth of July celebration. Food, fun, and family fill the day, with firemen; members of the Kiwanis, American Legion, and Knights ofColumbus; and a local dance school and band all playing their parts. "Yankee Doodle," "Stars and Stripes Forever," Lady Liberty, reading from the Declaration of Independence, and a community singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" lead right into the "Oooooh!" "Ahhhh!" "Wow!" sparked by the fireworks. Finally, a happy, tired family drives home. Though most children would rather be at an event than read about the nice time others have, Osborne's text is an agreeable slice of life. Catalanotto's illustrations capture the festivities with selective realism and just enough detail. The author's notes cap the work with a few historical and personal tidbits. Libraries that need additional materials to support holiday collections will find this worthy of consideration even though the ideals of independence and patriotism remain elusive.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 031238050X
• ISBN 13: 9780312380502
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Catalanotto Peter