The 4th of July is often filled with cookouts, fireworks, and red, white, and blue everything - but it can also be a time to reflect and learn as a family. Especially as a Black mom, I think it’s important to create space for truthful storytelling around what freedom meant (and didn’t mean) for everyone in 1776.
So alongside the fun, we’re also reading books that help my girls understand what the 4th of July represents, how America has grown, and what freedom still means today - especially for Black Americans.
Here are a few great books to read with your kids this 4th of July - from patriotic celebrations to real stories of justice, resilience, and hope.
The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing – A simple, fun story for littles that walks through a family’s celebration
Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw – Bright, rhyming book for toddlers and preschoolers that captures all the holiday sights and sounds
Curious George Celebrates the 4th of July by H.A. Rey – Sweet and silly for fans of George, with an easy intro to the holiday
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor – A powerful story of freedom through the eyes of a young girl in Texas on the first Juneteenth
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson – A beautifully illustrated picture book that shows the joy of emancipation
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones – A poetic, moving picture book that explains African American history in a way older kids can engage with
What is the 4th of July? (Who HQ Series) – Great for kids learning about American history and the Revolutionary War, with space for deeper discussion
Stamped (for Kids) by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi – An incredible, age-appropriate intro to racism and resistance in America
We the People: The United States Constitution Explored and Explained by Aura Lewis – Helps older kids and tweens understand how America was built — and who it left out
This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges – A short, emotional letter to young people from a living legend in the fight for civil rights
Check your local library or free Kindle/e-book options
Let your kids choose a book or illustration that catches their eye
Read together and talk about how the stories made them feel
Don’t be afraid of big topics - our kids are listening, and they’re ready
Celebrating the 4th of July can look different for every family. For us, it’s about joy, tradition, and also truth - helping our kids understand that while the fireworks are fun, the full story matters too. Books are one of the most powerful ways we can honor that.
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Amber Bowie
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