Fourth of July Picnic Basket

McDuff Saves the Day written by Rosemary Wells and illustrated by Susan Jeffers is about a little dog (there's a series) who travels with his family to a Fourth of July picnic and firework show.

My 5-yr-old loved this book.

McDuff is a little pup who always gets his way with sitting in the front seat of the car, and who, after ants steal the family's picnic goodies, befriends a fellow picnicer who shares his spread with the family.

A combination of a baby, a puppy, fireworks display, a picnic basket of delicious goodies, and Susan Jeffers artwork makes this book a favorite for little people celebrating the Fourth of July.

For older children, Jean Van Leeuwen has a book out A Fourth of July on the Plains .

Jesse fondly remembers the celebrations and parades back home in Indiana. Way out on the prairie there are no cannons to fire off, no fireworks to light, and no streets for a parade.

What was Independence Day like as families ventured westward across the dusty flour-bowl of waving wheat towards Oregon?

This book illustrated by Henri Sorensen takes you to a Fourth of July on the plains. There's a homemade flag to fly, wild game to roast over an open fire, a dozen men to fire off rifles, the Declaration of Independence to recite, a doctor to give a speech, a pot-luck sharing to provide a picnic feast, and Jesse and his friends to provide a whistle, tin pan, cowbell, washtub, and wooden spoon parade.

And don't forget to share the beautiful Wendell Minor illustrated version of America the Beautiful with your family this July. It'll remind you of what there is to love about America.