16 Patriotic Books About America for Kids: Celebrate Courage and Freedom
In this post: These 16 books about America for kids celebrate our Christian heritage by reminding kids of the courage, patriotism, and faithfulness of our founding fathers and mothers.
America’s 250th Anniversary is here, and I can feel the patriotism all around! We live in an amazing country, founded on Biblical principles. While our nation has strayed far from what the founding fathers intended, it is still the greatest nation on earth!
The semiquincentennial anniversary is a great opportunity to learn about the people, places, and events that shaped our nation.
Textbooks have their place (sometimes), but some of the best lessons come from stories. Instead of focusing on dates and places, stories help us see people. Storybooks bring history to life, helping kids connect with real people.
Reading stories about our nation’s history highlights the courageous men and women who made sacrifices for our country. These great patriots faced great challenges, but their bravery became the foundation for the nation we call home.
Whether you’re homeschooling, planning an All-American Summer, or simply looking for meaningful books to add to your family library, these titles can help your children develop a deeper appreciation for our nation’s history and heritage.
Why Read Books About America with Your Kids?
Can I tell you something honestly? I don’t remember a lot about the historical facts I learned in school. Sure, I remember the basics, but a lot of the particulars about American history, I didn’t learn in school.
I learned them through reading stories.
Stories shape our lives, and they can influence our kids, too. Our world is filled with a lot of negative influences, especially when it comes to the truth about the discovery and foundation of our nation.
When we choose to read carefully curated stories about America with our kids, we highlight our founding fathers’ courage, perseverance, and character.
Great men and women like George Washington, Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin become more than just names. They come to life in a way that excites kids’ curiosity and influences their patriotism.
Patriotic books for children spark meaningful conversations with your kids. While we honor these great patriots, it’s no secret that they weren’t perfect. They made many mistakes, both politically and personally.
Finally, reading books about American history with your kids will help them understand the freedoms and opportunities we have today. They will develop gratitude for those who came before us, paving the way for the country we love.
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Picture Books About America (Ages 4-8)
Picture books aren’t just for babies! Instead, they are tools that encourage kids to love reading from a young age.
These quality picture books help even the youngest readers (or listeners) learn to appreciate America.
The American Story Series by Betsy Maestro
This 5-book series receives rave reviews from parents, teachers, and homeschoolers alike! Each book covers a different period in American history, beginning with the discovery of America.
Books include:
- Exploration and Conquest: The Americas After Columbus: 1500-1620
- The New Americans: Colonial Times: 1620-1689
- Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763
- Liberty or Death: The American Revolution 1763-1783
- A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution
F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
This picture book is the perfect way to discuss our great American flag with your littles. It includes adorable illustrations and simple text with only 3-4 sentences on each page. Its simple description of our flag and what it means to us as American citizens will inspire kids and adults alike!
A is for America: An American Alphabet by Devin Scillian
This gorgeous picture book features patriotic illustrations by Pam Carroll, and sweet poems you’ll want to read aloud! Each page includes a letter, what it represents, and beautiful artwork to accompany the poems.
Some examples include:
- C is for cities like Cincinnati, Chicago, and Charlotte, and our Constitution
- F is for fireworks, flags and fifty
- K is for Kitty Hawk, Kansas, and Kellogg’s Rice Krispie squares
The rhymes are so fun, and the pictures make them even better!
The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
Teach your kids that the Fourth of July is about more than just fireworks and parades. This book helps younger children understand why we celebrate, and the reasons our founding fathers were willing to fight for freedom.
Early Readers and Elementary
When your kids are ready to start reading on their own, give them these inspirational books about American heroes.
George Washington’s Breakfast by Jean Fritz
This fun story is about George Washington Allen, a young man who shares his name and birthday with the first president. It includes all sorts of fun facts about President Washington–including what he ate for breakfast!
Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? by Jean Fritz
Another great book by Jean Fritz, Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? is the tale of one of our nation’s earliest patriots. This rebel leader scorned ruffles, refused to ride a horse, and didn’t care for the king.
And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz
We all know the story of Paul Revere’s midnight ride. But this book includes some details you may not know, written in Jean Fritz’s kid-friendly voice.
Character-Building Chapter Books
Our nation’s early history is filled with stories about brave, kind, hard-working people. When kids get a little older, introduce them to our nation’s heroes–some they know, and some they don’t.
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
It’s great to learn about the adult heroes and patriots that fought for our nation, but kids played a hand, too! Johnny Tremain is a fictional story about one such young man. His job as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty allowed him to cross paths with John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Dr. Joseph Warren.
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
This tale of patriotism recounts the story of Ann Hamilton, who left her home in Gettysburg to settle on the Pennsylvania frontier. At first, she dreams of returning to the family she left behind, but a surprise visit from George Washington changes her mind!
This book is a great demonstration of the hardships young people faced in Early America.
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
Although not about the American Revolution, The Courage of Sarah Noble is an inspiring tale. Sarah Noble and her father travel West to build a new home for their family. Sarah faces many challenges along the way, but her mother’s encouraging words to “be brave” never leave her.
Biographies of American Heroes
You might think biographies are boring for kids. But I’ve found that they actually enjoy them if they’re well-written and appealing.
We love the biographies written by Janet and Geoff Benge! While they are written for children, they are great for adults, too. Perfect for family read-aloud time.
Here are some American hero biographies to add to your family’s reading list: (All of these books are by Janet and Geoff Benge.)
- George Washington: True Patriot
- John Adams: Independence Forever
- Benjamin Franklin: Live Wire
- Benjamin Rush: The Common Good
American Books for the Whole Family
Our family loves to sit and read together. Our favorite books to read often involve beautiful illustrations. While these could fall into the “picture book” category, they are much more than that.
The stunning artwork in these books will inspire the whole family!
The American Book of Fables by Matthew Mehan
I could spend hours just looking at the gorgeous artwork in this book of fables! It features illustrations by John Folley. The book is divided into sections based on areas of our country, and features little poems, quotes, and fables. Some may seem familiar, as they are loosely based on Aesop’s fables, but are rewritten about people, places, and things that are native to America!
The American Book of Fables is a treasure! You’re going to want to read it over and over again!
Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze
Another beautifully illustrated book, this one is co-written by a Supreme Court Justice! It tells the stories of ordinary people who helped shape our nation. Some you know, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Others, such as Thomas Paine and Mary Katherine Goddard, are less-known, but still great patriots!
Read Together to Celebrate America
America’s story is ultimately a story about people—ordinary men, women, and children who worked, sacrificed, persevered, and dreamed of a better future.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, reading these books together can help our children understand where we’ve been, appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today, and inspire them to become people of character in their own generation.
