Fourth of July

Happy Birthday, America! An Interview with Roxanne Troup and Jennifer Doehring

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROXANNE TROUP
AND JENNIFER DOEHRING

ABOUT THEIR NEW PICTURE BOOK,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

(Albert Whitman & Co.; $9.99, Ages 4-8)

 

 

Happy Birthday, America! cover fireworks display.

 

 

 

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:
Happy Birthday, America! | Albert Whitman & Company

On a hot summer day, a family heads to the local park, where everyone in town has gathered for a party unlike any other. There are games, music, food, and—best of all—a huge fireworks display! There’s a reason behind all of the fun and festivities, though: the freedom of the celebration reminds everyone why the United States was founded two hundred and fifty years ago.

 

INTRO:

Welcome to the blog today, Roxanne and Jennifer Doehring, and CONGRATULATIONS on Happy Birthday, America! I’m thrilled you could be here to give readers a preview and the opportunity to preorder the picture book before its release this May. Scroll down for details.

 

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ROXANNE TROUP:

GoodReadsWithRonna: Can you share what inspired you to write Happy Birthday, America! for our country’s semiquincentennial? And yes, readers, that’s a long one, and it means the 250th anniversary of our nation.

Roxanne Troup: I was actually working on an educational piece about the history of fireworks when the idea for this story came to me. I’d been contracted to write a middle-grade testing passage and needed a first-person narrative opener. I remembered my first fireworks display—the sharp scent, the noise (and then silence) of the crowd, the deep-in-your-chest report as the first firework explodes, the magic of moments-there colored lights—and drafted that experience. It was spare and emotive, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it up. So I set it aside and wrote something different for my contracted piece. Eventually, I came back to that drafted experience and built a picture book around it.

 

Happy Birthday, America! int1 thumbnail sketch 1
Thumbnail sketches for Happy Birthday, America!, written by Roxanne Troup and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring, Albert Whitman & Co. ©2026.

 

 

GRWR: It would be so helpful for teachers reading this to know how the book can be used outside of the holiday, extended to the classroom, etc. (especially this year). Is there an educator’s guide to accompany the picture book?

RT: There will be! I’m actually in the process of creating the educators’ guide right now (as well as fun craft activities). 

 

GRWR: What was your reaction when you saw the art for the book, and do you have a particular favorite spread?

RT: Seeing the art is always my favorite part of the book-making process! But I was charmed by Jen’s art the moment my AW editor told me her name. Her kid-centric vignettes are so relatable; I love the way she incorporates light into every scene.
I think my favorite spread is the firework finale. You have to turn the book to see it, and it takes me back to that moment of “inspiration” when I wrote about my childhood experience with fireworks.

 

GRWR: What are some of your upcoming promotional plans for Happy Birthday, America!? Will that include a blog tour or a local book launch? 

RT: We just learned that Albert Whitman is partnering with America250 to promote HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!. I’m not yet sure what all that will mean, but we are looking forward to it! 

I do have a blog tour scheduled and am currently reaching out to local venues about summer programming. It’s going to be fun!

 

Happy Birthday, America! int2 thumbnail sketch3.
Thumbnail sketches for Happy Birthday, America!, written by Roxanne Troup and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring, Albert Whitman & Co. ©2026.

 

GRWR: What do you and your family love to do when celebrating the holiday?

RT: In the semi-arid mountains where I live, personal firework use is often restricted, but our municipality always has a lovely show with live music. So we usually spend the evening with friends, then sit on the front lawn and watch the show.

 

INTERVIEW WITH ILLUSTRATOR JENNIFER DOEHRING:

GoodReadsWithRonna: Jen, can you please tell us about how you created the artwork? Do you work digitally, or do you have a unique approach to illustration?

Jen Doehring: With every project I take on, the first step in the process is research. Hours of research! I compile a file of images that relate to the subject of the book. In the case of Happy Birthday, America! I looked at a ton of summer scenes, park scenes, picnics, fireworks, crowds, families, flags, etc. Then I gather inspiration for colors and camera angles. Because I need to not only understand the subject, but design the art around the text. How to accurately portray the text on each spread is important. 

Will this scene be a full spread or a spot? Will the camera angle be low or high? Will the main character be small or up close? All of these things are carefully thought out and applied in the thumbnails. I illustrate digitally in Procreate and work in layers starting with a pencil sketch as a first layer and then adding background and color on separate layers.

 

 

Happy Birthday, America! int3 park.
Interior art from Happy Birthday, America!, written by Roxanne Troup and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring, Albert Whitman & Co. ©2026.

 

 

GRWR: Did you encounter any hiccups along the way? Was there an illustration that you found most challenging to complete?

JD: I think the biggest challenge on this project was the limited time frame. I have another picture book coming out this year and that time frame was much longer. There I had six months to complete sketches and another six months for final art. With Happy Birthday, America! I only had three for everything—from character sketches to final art! Luckily, the process of creating thumbnails flowed easily, and I very much enjoyed the sketching process. The real challenge so far has been adding color. Because of the full spreads and crowds of people, a ton of detail had to be added at this stage. The illustration that took the longest was the second spread when everyone is at the park—so many details!

 

GRWR: You definitely have a flair for creating scenes with light. How did you balance the light/dark of the fireworks scenes?

JD: Thank you! Roxanne’s simple and beautiful language, along with the firework scenes, immediately hooked me. I was thrilled to be able to play with light/dark and could envision just how the firework pages would look. My favorite thing to illustrate is the unique use of light, and I found this story really let me show off in that area which was super exciting! Imagining how firework light plays off of the skin and clothing was a fun challenge, and if you look closely you can see oranges, pinks, reds, and even purples on the characters and backgrounds during these scenes.

 

 

Happy Birthday, America! int4 quiet.
Interior spread from Happy Birthday, America!, written by Roxanne Troup and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring, Albert Whitman & Co. ©2026.

 

 

GRWR: Please tell us how you chose to focus on the elements you convey in the picture book’s memory scene at the end that highlights some of America’s symbols … where did the idea come from, as it isn’t depicted in the main text.

JD: Before starting to work on the thumbnails, Rick [the art director] and I talked about a few possibilities for this spread. We brainstormed and decided it might be nice to have a memory scene depicting some elements that show what it means to celebrate America’s freedom. Once we settled on that idea, I ran with it, and the layout for this scene made sense considering the main character is already in bed and getting sleepy. I thought it would be nice to have it all swirl together in a dream-like state to give the spread a magical, whimsical feeling.

 

GRWR:  What is your favorite way to celebrate Independence Day?

JD: I love going out on a boat with family and friends to enjoy this hot day on the water. It’s just the best!

 

THANK YOU!

My huge thanks go out to Roxanne and Jen for sharing their insights about the creation of Happy Birthday, America! I hope you’ll preorder a copy today to share with kids this May to get in the holiday mood as July 4th approaches.

 

PURCHASE OPTIONS:

(local) The Bookies – Denver https://thebookies.com/item/kMbJHuHIpylkyECUZgW_Qg 

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/happy-birthday-america/d25854462c833c5d?ean=9780807531778&next=t& 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Birthday-America-Roxanne-Troup/dp/0807531774 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/happy-birthday-america-roxanne-troup/1149434594 

Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Happy-Birthday-America/Roxanne-Troup/9780807531778 

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Happy-Birthday-America-Paperback-9780807531778/19596670059 

In bulk: Bulk Bookstore https://bulkbookstore.com/happy-birthday-america-9780807531778

ROXANNE’S BIO:

Award-winning children’s author Roxanne Troup writes kids’ books that celebrate wonder and can be used in the classroom. Roxanne lives in the mountains of Colorado and enjoys hiking with her family and exploring our amazing world through stories. Her favorite way to celebrate special occasions is with fireworks and a new picture book.

 

X: @RoxanneTroup

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roxannetroup.bsky.social

Facebook: @RoxanneTroup

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanne-troup/ 

 

Jennifer_Doehring_headshotJENNIFER’S BIO:

Jennifer Doehring is the author and illustrator of The Wanderer’s Journal series, a group of illustrated guided hiking journals, and an illustrator of children’s picture books. She received a fine art degree from the University of California, Irvine, and owns an art studio called Palette Passions, where she teaches painting and drawing. In her spare time, Jennifer loves to backcountry camp and gathers most of her creative inspiration from nature. She lives in Southern California with her husband and their English bulldog, Snickers.

 


e

X: @JenDoehring  // Jennifer Doehring Books

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenniferdoehring.bsky.social 

 

 

Share this:

For July 4th, Read I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez

I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez with illustrations by Patrice Barton is reviewed by Rita Zobayan.

 

I-Pledge-Allegiance-cvr.jpg
I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora & Libby Martinez with illustrations by Patrice Barton, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2014.

Independence Day is just around the corner, and for many of us that means barbecues, fireworks, and parades. Of course, the celebration includes the pride of being or becoming an American, and that’s the focus of I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez and illustrated by Patrice Barton (Alfred A. Knopf; $16.99; ages 3-7).

Young Libby must lead her class in the school flag ceremony, and her great aunt Lobo is getting ready for her citizenship ceremony. They both must learn the Pledge of Allegiance, so they decide to practice together. They practice in front of their cat, Libby’s stuffed animals, and each other, and during the week, Libby learns Lobo’s story about coming to America and becoming a citizen.

“Why do you want to be a citizen?” I ask.

“Mi querida, I was born in Mexico and went to school there, but the United States has been my home for many years. I am proud to be from Mexico and to speak Spanish and English. Many people are proud of the places where they were born or where they grew up. But a long time ago…my father wanted a safer place for us to grow up, and we came to the United States. The American flag—read, white, and blue—wrapped itself around me to protect me.”

This sweet story artfully weaves the themes of patriotism, immigration, citizenship, history, and family. It’s a wonderful introduction to the importance, history, and meaning of the Pledge, as well as a reminder that no matter where we come from, we are all together under the flag.

Share this:

The Rocket’s Red Glare: Celebrating the History of The Star Spangled Banner

The Rocket’s Red Glare: Celebrating the History of The Star Spangled Banner written by Peter Alderman and illustrated by Bea Moritz is reviewed by Dornel Cerro.

Rockets-Red-Glare-cvr.jpg
The Rocket’s Red Glare: Celebrating the History of The Star Spangled Banner by Peter Alderman with illustrations by Bea Moritz, Flowerpot Press, 2014.

In 1812, the American Congress declared war on Great Britain following years of naval harassment. One day, in 1814, Francis Scott Key sailed out on an official mission to negotiate the release of an American doctor captured by the British. The British were agreeable to this but with one, agonizing condition: Key and his companions were to wait offshore so as not to tip off nearby Fort McHenry of an impending British attack.

Key anxiously followed the assault to its conclusion and saw “ … that our flag was still there.” With great pride and excitement, he shouted “oh say can you see?” and quickly wrote out the words to what would become the national anthem of the United States, the “Star Spangled Banner”.

In The Rocket’s Red Glare: Celebrating the History of The Star Spangled Banner  written by Peter Alderman and illustrated by Bea Moritz (Flowerpot Press, July 4, 2014, $16.99, All Ages) Alderman’s narrative, punctuated by the anthem’s vivid and stirring words, makes the complex history behind the “Star Spangled Banner” accessible for young children and captures the drama and suspense of the event that inspired it. The anthem wonderfully conveys Key’s pride which continues to resonate with Americans whenever it is played.

Illustrator Moritz’s use of a variety of illustrative techniques across stunning double page spreads bring understanding to the anthem’s soaring, but archaic words and phrases. The flag’s thickly painted broad, red and white stripes give it texture and, despite being battered and torn in the battle, invoke the new country’s strength and endurance. Ethereal looking rockets, blazing red and yellow, fly through a star-filled sky and prove, that while dangerous, they could not bring down the fort and thus the country.

The accompanying CD includes multi-platinum artist Jo Dee Messina reading the book and singing stirring renditions of both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” Here is a link to Messina’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tuwkmmoOCc

This lovely book is suitable for a wide audience and will be available just in time for the Fourth of July. Its large coffee table size and accompanying CD not only  make this a great gift, but a highly visual/auditory read-aloud. Highly recommended as an addition to elementary classroom and library collections. Teachers may want to use it to introduce units on American civics, holidays (Flag day is June 14) and early history.

Share this:

Fireworks & Fun on The 4th of July

LET’S CELEBRATE AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY!

RED, WHITE, AND BOOM! ($16.99, Henry Holt, ages 3 and up) by Lee Wardlaw with illustrations by Huy Voun Lee is reviewed by Ronna Mandel.

         What do you do on the 4th of July? Do you watch a parade or head to the beach?  Do you have a picnic or fly a kite?  Award-winning author and unrivaled rhymer, Lee Wardlaw has captured the essence of this patriotic holiday in a picture book that simply shouts happiness, fun and family on every page.

            The book opens with “Red, white, blue. Curbside view.” Observant readers may catch the humor of a street sign post at the corner of Holt St. and Lee Ave. near the parade watchers.  I just love that whimsical touch added by acclaimed artist Huy Voun Lee in her beautiful paper cut illustrations which are actually colorful collages of layered paper-cut outs! She also told me that “All the fine lines are also cut, not drawn, with an x-acto knife.” 

Huy Voun Lee artwork used by permission of Macmillan.

            With each turn of the page youngsters will be treated to all of the delights that Independence Day brings – be it romping on the beach with your favorite pet; “Frisbee zips. Doggie flips.” Or snacking; “Melon grins. Juicy chins.” Find little ones dashing and splashing at the water’s edge or constructing sand castles and keeping busy building and digging all day long. At a playground, “Fireflies flit. Sparklers spit,” while children play with pinwheels and families enjoy the wonderful outdoors. At night the red, white, and boom of the colorful fireworks light up the skies as sleepy ones doze and families call it a day. But we know it was no ordinary one.


Share this:

Grand Old Flags

When you think of Independence Day you may think of barbecues, beaches, fireworks, but this Fourth of July, consider the flag and its many uses. Iowa’s first poet laureate Marvin Bell has done just that in A Primer About The Flag ($15.99, Candlewick Press, ages 4-8) and Chris Raschka has created the artwork to accompany this delightful romp (well poem actually) around the world of flags.

0763649910medThe book starts with bed & breakfast flags, seafaring flags, state flags and even little flags that say bang when they’re shot out in a fake gun.

Kids will love the variety of flags described and illustrated with whimsical words and drawings. Adults will acknowledge that flags are really everywhere and Bell and Raschka make those colorful waving pieces of fabric worth paying attention to.

Share this:

Let’s Celebrate Independence Day! In 1776 by Jean Marzollo

IN 1776
Written by Jean Marzollo
Illustrated by Steve Björkman
(Scholastic; $ paperback prices vary, Ages 7-10)

 

 

In 1776, by Jean Marzollo and illustrated by Steve Björkman, while first published in 1994 by Scholastic, is still relevant today as we look forward to July 4th in 2017.

This paperback, part of the Scholastic Bookcase series, is a great book to bring out this holiday before all the BBQs and fireworks get started so youngsters can understand just exactly what it is we are celebrating. Told in easy to understand rhyme, “The colonists were angry, because they had no say, when the British king gave orders, three thousand miles away.” Kids will learn in simple language how, as colonists of Great Britain, Americans refused to be burdened with more taxes levied by King George III without representation. When the British marched on Lexington and Concord, fighting broke out. Soon the seeds of independence were sown, “So their leaders met in Philly, in June and in July. They picked some men to tell the king, “We must be free – here’s why!” The American Revolution or the War of Independence was bravely fought under the guidance of its leader, General George Washington and the rest as we say, is history.

“On the Fourth of July, in seventy-six, after a long and heated morn, The Declaration was approved, and the U.S.A. was born.”

Happy 4th of July everyone! 🇺🇸

  • Reviewed by Ronna Mandel
Share this:
Back To Top