The First Independence Day Celebration

The First Independence Day Celebration

Author Kathy Allen

Illustrator Tom Sperling

Published by Picture Windows Books

Copyright 2010

32 Pages

Nonfiction

            I chose this book to read because of the historical significance this topic has to me and our country. Reading and learning more about how our country came to be free is important to me so I decided to pick up this book to learn more about our country’s first Independence Day. The First Independence Day Celebration starts with Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence and describes what life was like in 1776. The book continues describe the first July 4^th celebration, the Revolutionary War, and how the colonists lived during the war. This book also contains a timeline and a glossary in the back as well as books to read and websites to visit to learn more about the first Independence Day celebration.

            The illustrations in this book are detailed with realistic qualities. The illustrator used many colors; however, most of the colors have a darker hue and are somewhat muted. The illustrator did not use many vibrant colors; instead he chose to detail the characters in the book so that the reader can look on the characters’ faces and see the emotion. The text is set in a formal setting and the illustrator chose to implement negative space throughout parts the book. This book has many small details that are included on the illustrations such as shadows on the ground, the peoples’ faces and expressions, and their clothes. The illustrations seem to have been completed using acrylics and pencils.

            This book is appropriate for children between the ages of six and twelve. Younger children that are starting to learn about history would gain a great deal of knowledge by listening to the story and seeing the detailed illustrations. Older children would benefit from reading the words and learning more about their nation’s history. Teachers could use this book to introduce the colonies and how people lived in 1776. Teachers could also use this book as a review to what the students have learned previously. This book is very interesting to read and would help most students remember key facts and ideas about Independence Day and the Revolutionary War.