Celebration!
by Jane Resh Thomas
(Check Catalog)

The members of Maggie's African-American family--aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, and all--get together in the backyard to celebrate the Fourth of July with a picnic, jump rope, sparklers, noisy games, and a host of fun-filled activities.

Grandmother, aunts and uncles, and assorted cousins gather for the annual picnic in Maggie's backyard, complete with good food and family fun.

School Library journal Review
Gr 1-4?The Fourth of July holiday is secondary to what this book truly celebrates: family, in all its glory. Readers can't help but catch the infectious joy and excitement as 22 siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., arrive at Maggie's house for a picnic. There is food galore, a new pool to play in, and sparklers. Everyone is named, everyone plays a role, even Shadow the dog who wants to climb in Granny's lap. Details bring the African-American family to life; the adults include lawyers, a nurse, and a teacher, and the kids range from taciturn 13-year-old Maurice, on a "short leash" for having been caught stealing candy, to little Willie, with his diapers down around his knees. Nothing extraordinary takes place, but with each fresh arrival it becomes clear that nothing momentous needs to happen because the whole book is about an event in itself. The soft-edged, mixed-media illustrations help draw readers into the energy of this family's interactions. Gleaming faces glow against a richly hued, textured background. The unmistakable pride and pleasure of this all-American family shines bright.?Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI