It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, and even though we’re just finishing the first week of May, it’s time to celebrate. . .
. . . the Fourth of July!
With America getting ready to celebrate her 250th birthday this year, my PPBF pick for today is incredibly timely and will be a great book for young readers who are just learning what Independence Day is all about.
Ready? 😊
Title: Happy Birthday, America!
Written By: Roxanne Troup
Illustrated By: Jennifer Doehring
ISBN#: 978-0807531778
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, May 7, 2026
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Fourth of July, family, American Independence
text copyright Roxanne Troup 2026, illustration copyright Jennifer Doehring 2026, Albert Whitman
Opening:
“In the drippy heat of summer,
Dad packs a picnic basket.
Mom and I load the car.
‘Where are we going?’ I ask.
‘To a party,’ Mom says.
‘A birthday party?”
She smiles. “Sort of.’ “
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “On a hot summer day, a family heads to the local park, where everyone in town has gathered for a party unlike any other. There are games, music, food, and―best of all―a huge fireworks display! There’s a reason behind all of the fun and festivities, though: the freedom of the celebration reminds everyone why the United States was founded two hundred and fifty years ago.”
text copyright Roxanne Troup 2026, illustration copyright Jennifer Doehring 2026, Albert Whitman
Links To Resources: downladable activities from the author’s website; crafts from author’s website (more will be added as we get closer to the Fourth); back matter from the book
text copyright Roxanne Troup 2026, illustration copyright Jennifer Doehring 2026, Albert Whitman
Why I Like This Book: This warm, family story is a lovely introduction to the day we celebrate freedom in America. Young readers will feel like they’re joining the family as they load up the car with a picnic basket and a blanket and head to the park for the 4th of July celebration, find a good spot, lay out the picnic, and spend an enjoyable evening where the narrator even makes a new friend. When it grows dark, they all settle down on the blanket to watch the fireworks, which the young narrator was not expecting. They are loud enough to make his baby sister cry, but they are also beautiful. Dad explains that it’s how we celebrate America’s birthday, “a day to remember our history and celebrate freedom” before the tired narrator drifts off to sleep. The language of the text is filled with sensory details and onomatopoetic words. Back matter expands on the timeline of American freedoms from the Declaration of Independence, through the Bill of Rights, the abolition of slavery, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, and more. The art is warm and bright, a perfect complement to the story, making readers feel like they’re right there on a hot summer evening watching the fireworks. A great addition to home, school, and library shelves alike!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Award-winning author, Roxanne Troup, writes picture books that celebrate wonder and can be used in the classroom. Roxanne lives in the mountains of Colorado and enjoys hiking with her family, gazing at stars, and exploring our amazing world through stories. With a background in education, she loves visiting schools to water seeds of literacy (and occasionally remembers to water the plants in her container garden).
Author Roxanne Troup
website: www.roxannetroup.com
Susanna Leonard Hill 