While it’s not popular to acknowledge in certain circles these days, the United States is the greatest country on earth. Next year she turns 250 years old, and that’s an achievement worth celebrating!

Unfortunately, America bashing is becoming all too common these days. If you want your kids to understand what makes America great, it may require some added enrichment on your part. Picture books are a great way to start discussions about historical topics, allowing you to cover a lot of information in a short format. Whether you are homeschooling your kids or just plan to read to them at night, there are lots of picture books that cover various aspects of our nation’s fight for independence.

One place to start is the classic poem Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A 1996 picture book edition of the famous poem (illustrated by Ted Rand) tells of how Paul Revere rode through the night warning the Revolutionary Patriots of the coming British army. As it turns out, Paul Revere wasn’t the only night rider. There were several others, including Sybil Ludington, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington. Sybil’s ride came a few days after Paul Revere and company but was no less important. Her story is told by author illustrator Karen Winnick in Sybil’s Night Ride, a 2000 release from Boyds Mills Press.

When the Colonists announced to the world that they would no longer be subject to England, they did so through a now famous American document: The Declaration of Independence. Alice Dalgleish’s book The 4^th of July Story was originally published in 1956 and released again in 1995 by Aladdin Press. In it she explains what was happening on July 4^th in the colonies long before there were parades and fireworks to celebrate the day. An added bonus for this book is that the fine folks at the American History Education Project have chosen this book as one of their modules. Their website offers a free lesson plan and activity guide to go along with Dalgleish’s book. You can find them at https://www.ahep1776.org/, along with many other books about traditional American values.

In the early days, the newly formed United States experienced many growing pains. Sometimes they didn’t agree on what their new government should look like. In Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud Suzanne Tripp Jurmain explores the very different personalities of Jefferson and Adams and how they eventually became leaders of opposing political parties who had to learn to put aside their political differences for the sake of their friendship (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2011).

Known as the father of our country, George Washington was a famous military leader. But what he really wanted to do was grow things. As it turned out, growing crops and growing a nation were both full of challenges. My friend Peggy Thomas’ book, Farmer George Plants a Nation (Calkins Creek, 2008), takes a look at Washington’s efforts to be a founding farmer as well as a founding father. The agricultural theme continues in two of her other books, Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation and Lincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln’s Agricultural Legacy (Calkins Creek, 2015 and 2021). All three books show the parallels between the growth of our nation and the agricultural efforts of three presidents.

As the United States began pushing west toward the Pacific, it took a special kind of bravery and stubbornness to survive in the American wilderness. It took a dog, too. A special Newfoundland named Seaman accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. Seaman’s Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark by Patricia Reeder Eubank (Ideals Children’s Books, 2002) is Seaman’s account of what happened along the way, including the time he was kidnapped by Native Americans. Seaman’s story is also one of the modules created by the American History Education Project, so you’ll want to check that out for lots of ideas for activities to go along with the book.

And finally, for your littlest ones, my friend Michelle Medlock Adams was inspired to write What is America? (Worthy Kids, 2019) after visiting the American Experience show at Walt Disney World. The show’s stirring overview of our nation’s history brings me to tears every time I see it. We have so much to be thankful for here in America, and so much to be proud of, too. What is America? is told in simple rhyming verse and explores many of the traits that make America such a great place to live.

As we close out 2025 and head into our 250^th year here in the USA, it’s important for us to recognize the people and events that have made our country great. As Christians, we know if we don’t teach our children to love Jesus, the world will teach them to hate him. The same is true of our country. If we don’t teach our children to love their country, someone will teach them to hate it. On the occasion of our 250^th year, I encourage you to instill a love of country and a sense of patriotic duty in your kids. Our future depends on it.  

Wendy Hinote Lanier is the award-winning author of over 50 titles including The Dog That Gave My Brother Words (End Game Press, 2023), Too Many Pigs in the Pools (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022), co-author of Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers (Iron Stream Kids, 2024), and the forthcoming Guardians of the Littlest Penguins (Sleeping Bear Press, 2027).

Be sure to sign up to receive updates of each new post on our Christian Children’ s Authors blog. Follow us for new book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement!

#christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #christianauthors #christianbooksforkids #christmasbooksforkids #americanhistory #historyforkids #americais250