Contribute to the celebration with these fun books - remember to check your local library for more ideas... Ages 4-8 Berenstain Bears the Missing Watermelon by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain Farmer Ben's prize watermelons are too big to steal. But the cash from his farmstand isn't. Who stole it? Never fear the Bear Detectives are on the case. They are hot on the trail of watermelon seeds. And where will it lead them? Read the latest Bear Detectives Mystery and find out who they catch red-handed. Or is it green-handed? (buy)

Celebration!
by Jane Resh Thomas, illustrated by Raul Colo'n
It's the 4th of July! Maggie and all her relatives gather for frisbees, splashin' fun, food, and the joy of togetherness. This is a warm and wonderful book that makes you want to get the family together! (buy)

Crafts to Make in the Summer
by Kathy Ross
Lots of easy crafts for kids, including crafts for the 4th of July. Go to Kathy's site and click on the book for a fingerpuppet project. (buy)

Fireworks, Picnics and Flags
by James Cross Giblin, illustrated by Ursula Arndt
A look at our national birthday that includes stories behind the flag, the bald eagle, Uncle Sam, and the Liberty Bell. (buy)

A Fourth of July on the Plains
by Jean Van Leeuwen, Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Henri Sorensen
When the wagon train from Indiana stops to rest the cattle and hold a feast for July fourth, Jesse is too young to join the men or help the women and the older girls, so he and the other young boys find whistles, bells, and makeshift drums, and they surprise everyone with their marching band's rousing rendition of "Yankee Doodle." Based on a diary account of a Fourth of July celebration on the Oregon Trail in 1852. (buy)

The Fourth of July Story
by Alice Dalgliesh, illustrated by Marie Nonnast
A story of America's birthday that brings alive the history and spirit of the Fourth of July with an introduction to the fight for independence and the events and people that shaped American tradition. (buy)

The Flag We Love
by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Ralph Masiello
In this tribute to the American flag, each right-hand page of the book is filled with a colorful painting, while the facing page contains a smaller picture, a four-line verse, and several facts about the flag. (buy)

Henry's Fourth of July
by Holly Keller
Henry (a possum, I believe) has been promised that he can stay up to see the fireworks this year! Read about the fun with Henry and his family on the Fourth of July. (buy)

Hurray for the Fourth of July
by Wendy Watson
This book tells about the fun things that happen on the Fourth of July. The author has added many little "ditties" that parents may remember from their childhood days. (buy)

I Pledge Allegiance
by June Swanson, illustrated by Rick Hanson
An early entrant in the activity that will surround the upcoming one hundredth anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance offers a simple description of its background, creation, and adoption. (buy)

Jake Johnson: The Story of a Mule
by Tres Seymour, Marcia Gray Carrington
Farmer Puckett won't be able to haul the town's Fourth of July fireworks to the fairground this year, because his new mule, Jake Johnson, sat down and won't get up. (buy)

A More Perfect Union : The Story of Our Constitution
by Giulio Maestro, Betsy C. Maestro, contributor Guilo Maestro
An invaluable book that tells why and how the Constitution of the United States was created. (buy)

One Watermelon Seed
by Celia Barker Lottridge, illustrated by Karen Patkau
Watch Max and Josephine tend their garden, there are ample opportunities to count--from 1 to 10 as the garden is planted and from 10 to 100 (in tens) while the garden is being harvested. And there's more to count than plants, there are: bees, ants, worms, butterflies, and other animals too. (buy)

The Star-Spangled Banner
by Peter Spier (Illustrator), Francis Scott Key
Meticulously researched pictorial history of the War of 1812 and our national anthem. A brief history of the anthem, a reproduction of Francis Scott Key's original manuscript, music for guitar and piano chords and many photographs. (buy)

Ages 9-12

Felicity Series
American Girl Series
This American Girl lives in Williamburg just before the American Revolution. A series of books about this 10 year old's life. (buy)

A Different Drummer : Thoreau and Will's Independence Day
by Claiborne Dawes, illustrated by J. Stephen Moyle
An introduction to Henry David Thoreau for young readers as told in the words of a Concord boy, Will Crawford. When Thoreau comes by on his moving day to Walden Pond, he enlists Will's help in getting his belongings to the cabin. Will comes to understand Thoreau's search for independence from material possessions and his respect for nature. (buy)

Enid Blyton's Secret Seven Fireworks
by Enid Blyton
It is an adventure/mystery about seven children who start saving money to buy fireworks, but then everything is stolen! Who could have done this? (buy)

The Firework-Maker's Daughter
by Philip Pullman, illustrated by S. Saelig Gallagher
The Firework-Maker's daughter, Lila, wants to become a Firework-Maker herself, but her father wishes she'd wed instead. Read about Lila's adventures when she runs away to Mount Merapi to claim some royal sulphur from the Fire-Fiend. (buy)

Hannah and the Special 4th of July
by Hilda Stahl
A suspenseful story that teaches dynamic lessons in cross-cultural friendship and freedom from addiction. (buy)

Uncle Sam & Old Glory : Symbols of America
by Delno C. West, Jean M. West, illustrated by Christopher Manson
Have you ever wondered why the American colors are red, white, and blue? Did you know that our national mascot was almost a turkey rather than a bald eagle? Can you trace your family's ancestry back to the Mayflower Pilgrims, or perhaps to a cowboy of the Old West? Answers for these questions and many more. (buy)