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Every culture in the world has its own heritage and history. No matter where one lives, their unique heritage remains important and deserves to be celebrated! Whether or not it is officially recognized in a national month or day, heritage is vitally important to the complexity and depth of human society. Learning about different cultures and why they are special prepares children to interact with others who may come from different backgrounds and do so from a place of respect and understanding. This book list is designed to help with this learning and includes books from a variety of cultures that celebrate each one’s unique heritage. These books are best suited to readers ages 4-7.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	Dim Sum for Everyone! By: Grace Lin A child describes the various little dishes of dim sum that she and her family enjoy on a visit to a restaurant in Chinatown.
	Dreamers By: Yuyi Morales An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story.
	First Laugh: Welcome Baby By: Rose Tahe and Nancy Bo Flood Illustrated by: Jonathan Nelson A Navajo family welcomes a new baby into the family with love and ceremony, eagerly waiting for that first special laugh. Includes a brief description of birth customs in different cultures.
	Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race By: Margot Lee Shetterly Illustrated by: Laura Freeman Explores the previously uncelebrated but pivotal contributions of NASA’s African American women mathematicians to America’s space program, describing how Jim Crow laws segregated them despite their groundbreaking successes.
	Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji By: F. Zia Illustrated by: Ken Min Aneel and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tell stories, use their imaginations, and make delicious roti, a traditional Indian flatbread.
	Islandborn By: Junot Díaz Illustrated by: Leo Espinoza Lola was just a baby when her family left the Island, so when she has to draw it for a school assignment, she asks her family, friends, and neighbors about their memories of her homeland and in the process, comes up with a new way of understanding her own heritage.
	Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale By: Brenda Williams Illustrated by: Benjamin Lacombe When his mother sends him to the market to buy necessities for the upcoming festival, Lin Yi is certain his bargaining skills will get him the best prices, and he will have money left over for his coveted red rabbit lantern.
	Peekaboo the Poi Dog By: Wendy Kunimitsu Haraguchi Illustrated by: Kat Uno One rainy day, Peekaboo, the poi dog, is feeling restless and is looking for a new game to play. She asks her mother for guidance, leading her on an unexpected imaginary journey across the state of Hawaii. Along the way, Peekaboo encounters wonderful people and creatures while visiting many well-known Hawaiian landmarks: From the Pali lookout to the snowy mountain top of Mauna Kea, Big Island’s highest volcano, her adventures are filled with excitement, discoveries, and enjoyment.
	Pepe and the Parade: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage By: Tracey Kyle Illustrated by: Mirelle Ortega Pepe wakes up energized to attend his first Hispanic Day parade. With new food to taste, music to dance to, and a parade to watch, Pepe couldn’t be more excited to celebrate and share his Hispanic heritage. Many of Pepe’s friends also attend the festival, celebrating their own Hispanic ties. Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Cuban cultures are all represented in the parade. A day filled with joy and pride, Pepe and the Parade is a jubilant celebration of culture and identity.
	Suki’s Kimono By: Chieri Uegaki Illustrated by: Stéphane Jorisch After a wonderful summer spent visiting her grandmother, Suki decides to wear her blue cotton kimono on her first day of school, where she also shares with her class tales of going to the street festival with her beloved obachan.
	This is the Rope: A Story of the Great Migration By: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by: James Ransome A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family’s story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.
	Thunder Boy Jr. By: Sherman Alexie Illustrated by: Yuyi Morales Little Thunder wants a name that separates him from his father, Big Thunder, and considers such options as “Touch the Sky” and “Drums, Drums, and More Drums” before his father helps him find the perfect alternative.

When we think about the 4th of July we not only think of America’s independence, but we also think of parades, fireworks, and picnics with family and friends. This reading list covers the meaning of Independence Day, the many types of things we do to celebrate the holiday, and a few chapter books with July 4th settings for our chapter book readers.

	What is the 4th of July? By: Elaine Landau Includes the food, outdoor fun, crafts and games for celebrating America’s birthday.
	The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence By: Judith St. George Presents the story of how the original document that changed the fate of the nation still exists proudly today, despite being rolled up, transported on horseback, tucked away, improperly repaired, and kept under lock and key.
	Paper Crafts for the 4th of July By: Randel McGee Eight crafts using common craft supplies like tissue paper, cardstock, glue, and string, reflect the red, white, and blue, summertime celebration. A two-page introduction explains the history of this national holiday, and each craft is introduced by a short explanatory paragraph. Crafts include patriotic placemats and an American flag pennant.
	Parade Colors By: Barbara Barbieri McGrath In this board book with simple text the reader is invited to enjoy a colorful Fourth of July parade.
	The Night Before the Fourth of July By: Natasha Wing In rhyming text based on “The Night Before Christmas,” a family, decked in red, white, and blue, heads to the Fourth of July parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with neighbors, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and watches the fireworks show.
	Red, White, and Boom! By: Lee Wardlaw Parades, beach picnics, and fireworks in the park are some of the ways Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.
	Fourth of July Fireworks By: Patrick Merrick Briefly explains the significance of the Fourth of July holiday, describes the origin and meaning of its celebration with fireworks, and discusses the making and safety aspects of fireworks.
	Hurray for the Fourth of July By: Wendy Watson A small-town family celebrates the Fourth of July by attending a parade, having a picnic, and watching fireworks. Interspersed throughout the pages are patriotic songs and traditional rhymes.
	The 4th of July By: Dorothy Goeller Simple text and photographs present a story with a 4th of July theme. Perfect for ages 4 to 6.
	Looking for Uncle Louie on the Fourth of July By: Kathy Whitehead A boy gets a big surprise when the low riders take part in the Independence Day parade. A story that captures the thrill of watching an Independence Day parade in the American Southwest.
	Celebrate Fourth of July with Champ, the Scamp By: Alma Flor Ada Champ the dog hitches a ride in the basket for the Fourth of July picnic. Includes nonfiction information about the holiday.
	Snickerdoodle’s Star-Spangled Fourth of July By: Clare Ham Grosgebauer Uncle Yankee Doodle’s family and animal friends gather for a fourth of July celebration, and when it looks like the fireworks will be spoiled by the bouncy behavior of the firehouse dog, Snickerdoodle finds a solution and shines the spotlight on an unusual special guest.
	The Great Cake Bake By: Helen Ketteman When her town hosts a Fourth of July cake competition, Donna Rae tries to bake the best cake ever, but with every patriotic confection she makes, something goes wrong.
	July Jitters By: Ron Roy Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy enter Polly the pony and Pal the dog in a July 4th pet costume contest, but when Independence Day arrives the animals are nowhere to be found.
	Uncle Chente’s Picnic By: Diane Bertrand A big rainstorm and a power failure during a Fourth of July picnic in honor of Uncle Chente cause a change in plans, resulting in a very special family gathering.
	One Final Firecracker By: Gregory Maguire A giant spider and several other odd creatures from the earlier books in the Hamlet Chronicles return as the small Vermont town celebrates a grammar school graduation, Miss Earth’s wedding, and the Fourth of July.
	Wildfire By: Elizabeth Starr Hill Living with his great-grandmother in rural Florida, ten-year-old Ben looks forward to the Fourth of July celebrations, but the day becomes complicated by the presence of a new neighbor boy, a stray puppy, and local wildfires.
	The Case of the July 4th Jinx By: Lewis B. Montgomery With the help of ace detective Dash Marlowe, sleuths-in-training Mio and Jazz investigate a so-called jinx at the local Fourth of July fair.
	Independence Day Origami By: Ruth Owen Full-color step-by-step instructions teach children how to fold Independence Day-themed origami decorations.
	Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags By: James Giblin Traces the social history behind America’s celebration of Independence Day and explains the background of such national symbols as the flag, the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, and Uncle Sam.
	The Explosive Story of Fireworks By: Kama Einhorn Includes information about the first fireworks, their appearance in Europe and Fourth of July fireworks.
	Apple Pie Fourth of July By: Janet Wong A Chinese American child fears that the food her parents are preparing to sell on the Fourth of July will not be eaten.
	Red, White, and Blue and Katie Woo By: Fran Manushkin As Katie, her parents, and friends celebrate Independence Day with a parade, games, a picnic, and fireworks, the few things that go wrong do not interfere with their fun.
	Happy Birthday, America By: Mary Pope Osborne The whole family joins in a lively small-town celebration of Independence Day, including a parade, a picnic, music, and fireworks. An author’s note explains the origin of the celebration of July 4th.
	The Story of America’s Birthday By: Patricia Pingry A simple introduction to the American Revolution, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the significance of the Fourth of July.