MY FOURTH OF JULY

An exuberant, old-time–y celebration
of the Fourth of July.

An energetic young child breathlessly
narrates the day, from waking up bursting with excitement to conking out after
the fireworks. In between, Spinelli’s nostalgic narrative hits all the expected
notes. The child helps prepare the picnic (hot dogs and cherry pie, natch) and
loads it into the little red wagon. A train festooned with bunting and pulled
by a steam engine crosses Main Street. Once at the park, the family picnics and
partakes in all the traditional Fourth of July activities, including face
painting, sack racing, a concert in the bandstand, a visit to the zoo (this
small-town park is extremely well-appointed), and, of course, the
fireworks. Spinelli’s present-tense text combines a childlike voice (“Mama
hands me a banana. I’m so excited I forgot to eat breakfast”) with poetic
fervor (“My eyes cannot hold the wonders I see. My heart is cheering”). The
only nods to patriotism are the abundant flags and mention of standing for “The
Star-Spangled Banner.” Day’s small town is a Norman Rockwell–esque place of
white frame houses and unleashed, well-behaved dogs. The narrator and family
present white, while the narrator’s best friend and some of the other festivalgoers
are people of color.

Despite somewhat inclusive visuals,
this book can’t help feeling like it’s stuck in amber. For a true celebration
of America and its diversity, opt for Stephanie Parsley Ledyard and Jason Chin’s
Pie Is for Sharing (2018). (Picture book. 4-8)