Patriotic Picture Books

At one point, July 4th was my favorite holiday of the year! There’s much to savor about this patriotic day, and so many patriotic picture books to enjoy, any time of year! A super simple activity we enjoy every year– count how many American flags you can spot while you’re out and about- driving around town, taking a neighborhood walk. My kids LOVE this and will compare how many are out the driver’s side versus passenger side! (#mathiseverywhere!)

Of course our very favorite activity is reading great books! Here are our favorite patriotic picture books:

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America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates; Illustrated by Chris Gall. In the preface, illustrator Chris Gall (of DinoTrux fame) describes his connection with the patriotic hymn: he is the great-great-grandnephew of Katharine Lee Bates and grew up with a copy of her poem, written in her own hand, hanging in his living room. As he traveled and developed as an artist, the powerful words served as an inspiration and this book is his tribute to the legacy of his great-aunt and the country she celebrated with her words. One line per page, opposite thought provoking, detailed sketches, the book also includes an “about the artwork” page explaining the 16 images which span from historical events, to landmarks, to simple scenes reflecting American ideals.

Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard. While the setting is a fourth of July picnic, this isn’t a traditional patriotic book. The starred review from Kirkus put it well: “This isn’t a flag-waving Fourth of July story, but it can be read as a gentle yet firm call for American readers to reflect on and embrace the ideal of pluralism. An aspirational vision in which inclusivity is as American as (apple) pie.” We enjoyed the gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott-winning artist Jason Chin, whose idea the Independence Day picnic setting was. The text is sparse (a sentence, or less per page), with a poetic feel.

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus; ill by Kadir Nelson. As with anything Kadir Nelson touches, this book is gorgeous and inspiring! “Deceptively simple” describes the text which, beside Nelson’s striking illustrations, take readers on an iconic journey of American history, landmarks, and values. Each two page spread shows two dimensions of the same phrase: “Blue sky white stars” refers to a starry nighttime sky above Ellis Island on one page, and the white stars on a field of blue on the American flag. 

Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation by Kristen Fulton; Ill by Holly Berry. A brightly illustrated history of the creation of the flag that hung over Fort McHenry and inspired the national anthem. (Older preschool-mid elementary)

The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier. The text of the national anthem set beside fantastic illustrations not only of the Battle at Fort McHenry, during which Francis Scott Key penned the original poem, but also spanning forward to modern America; a lengthy afterward explains more history for older readers, and the first & last pages illustrate a collection of flags from the American Revolution, armed forces, and government. A classic patriotic picture book written in 1973.

Red, White and Boom by Lee Wardlaw. Rhyming couplets (one per age) follow the activities of a festive July 4th day– from enjoying a parade through viewing fireworks. A simple book for young readers, or a fun addition to a festive Poetry Teatime (which my Pre K and First Grade Bookworms will be enjoying!). (Preschool-early elementary) Out of print- don’t spend $35 on this, but worth a look if your library owns it.

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers. For slightly older readers (elementary and up). This is a fast paced but fact filled book that shares the history of the Statue of Liberty (including why it is now green but was formerly brown), as well as the author’s ideas about the statue’s right foot which is in mid-stride: “Liberty and freedom from oppression are not things you get or grant by standing around like some kind of statue. No! These are things that require action. Courage.  An unwillingness to rest. .. After all, the Statue of Liberty is an immigrant too. And this is why she’s moving. This is why she’s striding. In welcoming the poor, the tired, the struggling to breathe free, she is not content to wait. She must meet them in the sea.”

The Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry. This is a board book, which we happened to come across at a nature center of all places. Such a simple, straightforward introduction to the basics of… America’s birthday, for the littlest bookworms (baby/toddler).

O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words by Sheila Keenan; ill by Ann Boyajian. Two page spreads describe the history and importance of various places (Plymouth Rock, The Lincoln Memorial, Statue of Liberty, Capitol Building, etc), objects (the flag, liberty bell, Uncle Sam, etc ), words (Declaration of Independence, National Anthem, etc.), and holidays (Presidents’ Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, etc.). For mid-elementary and up.

The Flag We Love by Pam Munoz Ryan; ill by Ralph Masiello. Each two page spread devotes one page to a full color illustration, the other to several lines of patriotic rhyming text, and a longer footnote of historical facts. A thorough exploration of the history of the flag along with its significance in many areas of American culture, life, and history– Olympic flags stirring patriotism in spectators, flags flown at ports, flags upside down as a sign of distress/emergency, flags planted by explorers and astronauts, flags commemorating fallen heroes at monuments, and more.

Wow! America! by Robert Neubecker. A brightly illustrated introduction to some of the landmarks of the USA. Each page features an iconic location with a full two-page (and a few fold-out spreads) illustration, and a sentence of explanation: Wow! Lobster! “New England is famous for fishing and ships and patriots and pilgrims.”  Preschool-Kinder.

America The Beautiful: Together We Stand. The words of “America the Beautiful” spread across this book, phrase by phrase, each illustrated by a giant of children’s book illustration and set alongside a quote from a US President. I could see this being shared one page at a time, taking time to digest the quotation’s meaning and how the illustrator interpreted that phrase of the song. You’ll find illustrations by Bryan Collier, Mary Grandpre, Jon J Muth, and seven others.

 The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh. The author’s note: “The story of the birthday of our country is a big story to tell young children. Yet when they begin to ask, ‘Why do we have a holiday on the Fourth of July?’ they have a right to know. They have a right to know that Independence Day is something more than fireworks and picnics. In telling the story, I have used few names and tried to give only a few clear impressions.”

Books mentioned in this post should be available at your local library or at the affiliate links provided. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What are your favorite patriotic picture books? I’d love to connect with you in the comments below, on my Facebook page, or Instagram account!