Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols - Softcover

Giblin, James Cross

Softcover

ISBN 10: 061809654X ISBN 13: 9780618096541

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2001

Synopsis

This spirited look at our national birthday explores the stories behind the familiar symbols of the Fourth of July and tells how they have come to be associated with the holiday. It will make the Fourth of July more meaningful for readers young and old. James Cross Giblin is an editor of children's books who also writes for children. He edited the Clarion holiday series started by the late Edna Barth. Ursula Arndt brings to this book the same delightful style she employed as illustrator of the six Barth holiday books. This title, along with all of Edna Barth's classic holiday books, is now being reissued with a fresh, new jacket design and fun activities inside the paperback covers.

About this title

Review:

James Cross Giblin does an excellent job of bringing the history of America's Independence Day to life. Woven into his vivid descriptions of events surrounding the Declaration of Independence (down to the annoying flies and mosquitoes in Philadelphia's State House) are amusing anecdotes--how the 1890s "Society for the Suppression of Unnecessary Noise" tried to outlaw Fourth of July firecrackers; what a Yankee Doodle really is; that Uncle Sam was a real person; and how Benjamin Franklin wanted America's national bird to be ... a turkey. Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags concludes with chapters on the Centennial and the Bicentennial, a July 4 events timeline, and a helpful index. Ursula Arndt's skillful pen-and-ink drawings enliven this already spirited treatment of the symbols and history of America's most patriotic holiday.

Ages 9 and up.

About the Author:

Ursula Arndt has illustrated a number of popular children's books, including the six holiday titles written by Edna Barth for Clarion. She is now retired and lives in Germany.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 061809654X
• ISBN 13: 9780618096541
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Arndt Ursula