Happy Birthday to US! by Sherry Ellis

 I'm very excited to share today's read. First, it comes from an author I've known for many years...and her works are always enjoyable. Second, it's the first book I've seen commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States...which I really thought tons of authors would hit the bandwagon on. Maybe, that's still on the up and coming, though. 

Either way, I'm ready to dive into today's read and see what goodness it holds in store.

Happy Birthday to US
by Sherry Ellis

Illustrated by Nina Hvozdzeva

2Z Press LLC
Children’s Picture Book 

52 pages

ages 4 to 7

Happy Birthday to US! A Fourth of July Celebration for kids!

It's the Fourth of July - and someone's birthday!

At first, a young child believes the parade, fireworks, and fanfare are all in honor of his special day. But as the story unfolds, he discovers the celebration is for something even bigger- America's birthday!

Told in joyful rhyme and bursting with colorful illustrations, Happy Birthday to US blends a child's excitement for their own big day with the pride and spirit of Independence Day. Young readers will learn about the meaning behind July 4th - freedom, community, and the history of America's independence -while sharing a heartwarming story about belonging and discovery.

Perfect for

*Classroom and library story times

*Families celebrating summer birthdays

*Teaching children about Independence Day and Patriotism

 

Whether read aloud at home, in schools, or at holiday events, Happy Birthday to US is a festive and meaningful addition to any child's bookshelf - and a perfect way to celebrate

America's 250th Birthday on July 4, 2026!

  

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MY TIDBITS

Good feelings and the excitement of celebration fill every page.

It's a little child's birthday, and what a birthday it always is! Parades, picnics, get-together, and even fireworks make it a special day. For many years, the child thought everyone celebrated just for them but has since learned that's it's the 4th of July celebration, too. This year, however, is super special, since it's the 250th celebration of the country... a wonderfully, huge celebration for the two birthdays.

This is a fun read from beginning to end. When I first picked it up, I was a little suspicious of the page count for the age group (a little longer than usual), but this story flies by and is totally okay for even more reluctant listeners. Each page holds excitement and celebration. Many scenes bring along familiar moments, and it's hard not to want to join in on the excitement. There's never a boring moment as it goes from one enjoyable scene to the next.

The text holds four shorter lines on each two-page spread and rhymes smoothly to create a lovely read-aloud. The word choice and sense behind the text work easily for the age group and can be picked up by readers, who are more sure of their words, to enjoy on their own. The illustrations are rounded to keep things light and cute, while packing tons of excitement on each page. The colors keep red, white, and blue close, weaving them naturally into each moment.

This is an enjoyable read and especially nice to use in classrooms, groups, or homeschooling when getting ready for the big celebration.

Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published the Bubba and Squirt's Adventure Series; Don't Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; and That Mama is a Grouch. Ellis lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 

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