Celebrate the Fourth of July by Raising Readers Who Believe in Freedom for Everyone 🇺🇸📚
- welitacademy
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate the ideals of freedom, liberty, and opportunity. It's also an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with children about what those values mean—and how we can continue working toward a country where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Books help children develop empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and appreciate experiences that may be different from their own. Reading stories that celebrate diversity and encourage conversations about race isn't about making children feel guilty—it's about helping them grow into kind, informed, and compassionate people.
This Independence Day, consider adding a few anti-racist books to your family's reading list.
Books to Spark Meaningful Conversations
My Red, White, and Blue
A powerful story about the mixture of pride and pain that one Black family finds in the American flag, and an invitation for each of us to choose how we relate to America, its history, and the flag that means so many things to so many people.
I'm an American
What does it mean to be American?
A classroom of children across many races, cultures, and origins explores the concept of Americanness as they each share bits of their family history and how their past has shaped their own personal American experience. Whether as new immigrants, or those whose family came to this country generations ago, or other scenarios, these children’s stories show some of the broad range of cultures and values that form the history and identity of our nation.
Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation
Since the United States won independence in 1776, African Americans have contributed greatly to the nation’s culture, politics, economy, and landscape. Black Hands celebrates the countless contributions of African Americans—from building the White House, birthing jazz, and landing a man on the moon to pushing for social justice. Black excellence, however, has too often been overlooked.
An American Story
From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people's struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.
Liberty’s Forgotten Hero
Born in Philadelphia in 1766, James Forten witnessed the unfolding of a new and revolutionary idea. The thirteen colonies had declared war against British rule and wanted to start a new country based on freedom and equality for all. Inspired by the Black and Indigenous soldiers that enlisted, James was determined to join the fight too.
Some of Us
A Story of Citizenship and the United States
What does US citizenship look like? Some of us are citizens by birth. Some of us are born beyond the United States and gain citizenship through immigration and naturalization. With lyrical prose and luminous mixed-media artwork, this nonfiction book outlines the process by which some of us--spanning every age and background--travel to the United States to live, work, study, and contribute to the fabric of our new communities
I, Too, Sing America
Langston Hughes's inspirational poem I, Too is one of America's most famous. This board book edition brings Hughes's powerful declaration of resilience and hope to young readers.
Fireworks
Two siblings spend a sizzling Fourth of July roaming the city—there’s breakfast in Chinatown, a burst hydrant on a steamy block, and a jazz musician in the park whose brassy blasts make everyone dance. All the while, anticipation builds for the night's grand display: FIREWORKS!
Reading Is One Way We Build a Better Future
When children read books that reflect many cultures, perspectives, and experiences, they develop empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. These stories encourage thoughtful conversations and help young readers recognize that fairness and inclusion are values worth practicing every day.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let's also celebrate our shared responsibility to build communities where every child feels seen, valued, and welcomed.
Because the promise of freedom grows stronger when every child knows they belong.
Happy Fourth of July from all of us at We Lit Academy! 🇺🇸❤️🤍
