Best Multicultural 4th of July Books for Kids
Happy Birthday United States on this 4th of July! To celebrate, I selected two picture books with an Asian twist. Both families are immigrants from China. The children in each book, like all children of immigrants, straddle two worlds trying to be “more-American-like-their-friends” while immersed in the culture and traditions of their home country. But what is lovely in both these books is an acceptance that there is no one correct way to celebrate being an American. This is a homage to the United States of America, the great melting pot nation. Happy Birthday!
The American Wei by Marion Hess Pomeranc
It’s a big day for Wei Fong. Today, he and his family will become United States citizens! And the day is especially lucky because he has his very first loose tooth and he’s hoping the Tooth Fairy will come tonight. Calamity strikes when Wei loses his tooth in front of the Federal Courthouse where they are to be sworn in. Luckily people of all races and nationalities pitch in to help Wei find his tooth and they make it just in time for their ceremony. It was the best day ever! [picture book, ages 4-8]
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong
When her parents cook Chinese food to sell at their store on the 4th of July, the little 2nd generation Chinese American girl thinks that her parents “don’t get it.” No one wants Chinese food on the 4th of July, right? A simple story that depicts perfectly the straddling of two worlds that 2nd generation children feel and, as it turns out, there are all kinds of ways to celebrate America’s birthday! [picture book, ages 2-6]
Hear the story read to you here!
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
APPLE PIE 4TH OF JULY is one of my favorites! A perfect pick!
Hi Danielle,
YAY! So glad you like it too! I feel like no one knows about Apple Pie 4th of July!