Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols

by James Cross Giblin, Ursula Arndt (Illustrator)

This spirited look at our national birthday explores the stories behind the familiar symbols of the Fourth of July and tells how they have come to be associated with the holiday. It will make the Fourth of July more meaningful for readers young and old. James Cross Giblin is an editor of children's books who also writes for children. He edited the Clarion holiday series started by the late Edna Barth. Ursula Arndt brings to this book the same delightful style she employed as illustrator of the six Barth holiday books. This title, along with all of Edna Barth's classic holiday books, is now being reissued with a fresh, new jacket design and fun activities inside the paperback covers.

Genres: History

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

James Cross Giblin was an American children's author and editor, known for his award-winning works. He won the Golden Kite Award and the Sibert Medal for his contributions to children's literature. Giblin was born in Cleveland and raised in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Western Reserve University and earned a master's in playwriting from Columbia University. After a brief acting career, he entered publishing, founding Clarion Books, a children's imprint later acquired by Houghton Mifflin. At Clarion, he edited works by notable authors like Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn. Giblin’s works include The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler and Good Brother, Bad Brother.

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things I feel silly not knowing--like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration and only about five hours apart from each other! Great way to brush up my independence history :)