Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!

by Leslie Kimmelman, Nancy Cote

It's the 4th of July and all over town, people are getting ready. Kimmelman's simple and joyous story captures the excitement that is the Fourth of July. Cote's exuberant illustrations add to the happy celebration. A note about the holiday is included. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Holiday, Childrens, Summer

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used Jenny and her dog Rags to introduce the library's "Stars & Stripes" story time.

Each two-line verse per page or double-page spread provided just the right amount of text to hold the children's attention.

A game of finding Rags on every page just added to the fun.

Any tradition featured in the story was fair game for transitioning to other stories during our half-hour program. There were flags, firetrucks, family gatherings, sprinkler games, bicycles, a picnic, a parade, and fireworks!

[Mario Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the author connected everyone's endeavors with each other, while rhyming about them as well. I also liked how the book included families of different races, and had them all pay homage to the flag and for what it stands for on the 4th of July. The depictions were bright, colorful and appear to have been colored with a mixture of paints and color pencils. Nonetheless, the depictions were interesting and pleasant on the eye. The author also did an awesome job in connecting all of the family's preparatory activities in the end, to celebrate the 4th of July with neighbors and family.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney, is a simple book about an idyllic, small American town and its citizens as they prepare for their 4th of July celebration. The book conveys a feeling of exuberance, fun, and excitement about the holiday. Due to its lack of depth, a strong theme or message is not evident; however, one can pull a simple theme of “when we all come together, great things can happen” from the text and illustrations. The book takes the reader through the town, putting various families and citizens on display, and showing how each contributes to or celebrates the 4th of July holiday. Everyone has something positive to contribute, and at the end of the book, the town has a grand celebration, with Jenny Sweeney contentedly going to sleep as she wishes America “Happy Birthday!” The book features a diverse cast of characters, including Indian, Arabic, Hispanic, and Asian families, along with Caucasian and African American. The characters are usually described by the actions they are performing in the illustrations and are sometimes stereotypical.

The author uses a rhyming text, with no more than two lines per page. This gives the story rhythm, which culminates in the town’s 4th of July parade. The rhyming text makes for an easy, fast, and enjoyable read; albeit one that lacks much substance. The illustrations, which are full-page, do a great job of giving the reader a visual scope of the town and its residents. Readers will enjoy noticing all of the little details that have been included in the illustrations that are not central to the story. Additionally, nearly every page features a red, white, and blue American flag, thus conveying the message that it is Independence Day.

This book would serve well the purpose of building excitement about the 4th of July holiday, in addition to comparing how various towns celebrate the holiday. The book could work as a read-aloud or as an individual read, as the text is simplistic, rhyming, and easy to comprehend. This book is a supplemental, and possibly marginal, purchase depending on the library community. While cute and entertaining enough, the lack of depth and substance makes it a fun, but unmemorable read.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read the kids on the 4th of July. It's rhyming book, so I like that. It also has a page in the back that talks about the 4th of July a bit, which is nice. I only wish this book had better done illustrations, they weren't too great.

[Jennifer (sullivan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre" Picture/Non Fiction


I reallly enjoyed this book and I think most young biys and girls will enjoy it oo. I thhink it is good to learn about holidays and celebrations, and what better way to start a lesson with reading a book.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used for Mother Goose storytime June 28, 2016 (clipped some pages together to make the length more appropriate for this age group)