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Celebrate 4th of July & America's 250th Birthday with Roxanne Troup - PLUS Critique, Book or AMA Giveaway!
- Heather Macht
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Happy 4th of July, readers, writers, and stars-and-stripes story lovers, too! ✨ Get ready to let freedom read as we celebrate America's birthday with a picture book that's sure to make your heart sparkle! Today we're rolling out the red (and white and blue) carpet for Roxanne Troup and her new picture book, Happy Birthday, America! 🎇
Packed with patriotic pride, sparkling celebrations, and all the magic of the day, Happy Birthday, America! invites young readers to join in the festivities - from waving flags and enjoying neighborhood parades to sharing backyard barbecues and gazing up at fireworks that light up the summer sky. Bursting with joyful illustrations and a celebration-worthy message, this star-spangled story is sure to illuminate your bookshelf!
Want to know more about Roxanne Troup, her path to publication with Happy Birthday, America!, PLUS enter for a chance to win her giveaway - a manuscript critique, a signed copy of her book, OR an AMA session? Read on... 📚
Q: Hi, Roxanne! Welcome to #SeasonsOfKidLit - we're thrilled to have you and hear all about your new book. Happy Birthday, America! is such a joyful celebration of Independence Day! What inspired you to write this story, and what made you want to introduce young readers to this special holiday?
A: I was actually writing a MG work-for-hire piece about the history of fireworks when the idea for this story came to me. I remembered my first fireworks display—the colors, the noise, the smell—and wrote about it. It was spare and emotive, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it up for that testing passage. So, I set it aside and wrote something different for my contracted piece. Eventually, I returned to that drafted experience and built a picture book around it.
Q: The 4th of July is filled with so many unforgettable traditions -- from parades and picnics to fireworks and family gatherings. Did you have a favorite Independence Day memory growing up that found its way into the book?
A: My favorite 4th of July memory (which inspired the fireworks scenes in the book) happened in North Carolina. We’d gone out to visit family, and I remember sitting on the porch steps in awe of the huge fireworks display before me. They were so big! And so LOUD! I remember feeling the boom deep in my chest. Strangely, I don’t remember anyone else sitting with me. I guess the fireworks took all my attention!
Q: One of the things I love most about Happy Birthday, America! is how it celebrates our country while also capturing the wonder and excitement children feel during the holiday. Was there a particular page or moment that was especially fun (or challenging!) to write?
A: The most challenging spread was actually the first one. As mentioned previously, the fireworks scenes—the climax—came easily. They were the first things I wrote. But I struggled to find my way in to the story. Eventually, I landed on “In the drippy heat of summer” which seems obvious now…
Q: Jennifer Doehring's illustrations are bursting with color, energy, and patriotic spirit! What was it like seeing your story come to life through her artwork? Do you have a favorite illustration or spread in the book?
A: I love Jennifer’s art, especially her use of color. She makes the dark come alive! One of my favorite illustrations is the first, solitary firework bursting over a hill. It’s just gorgeous!
Q: Was there any interesting research, surprising fact, or behind-the-scenes moment that helped shape Happy Birthday, America! that readers might not know about?
Originally, the backmatter was geared toward younger readers with a note about America’s founding and a fun craft. Once we knew the book would be hitting shelves in 2026, during #America250, we switched that up to extend its use to the classroom. I moved the craft to my website and added a “Timeline to Freedom” to the backmatter so teachers could use it during civics lessons.
Q: Here at #SeasonsOfKidLit, we always love ending on a fun note! What's your favorite way to celebrate the 4th?
A: With family and strawberry delight! Every 4th our city hosts a patriotic concert and fireworks display. So, we typically find somewhere to park, tune in to public radio, and enjoy the show. (Since we live in an alpine desert, we can’t shoot off personal fireworks. It’s too much of a fire hazard.)
Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat with your interview?
A: A treat! Winner’s choice: a manuscript critique, signed book, or 20-minute AMA.
WOAHH! Thanks for such an amazing offer! And thanks again for joining us - we loved having you and hearing all about your new book.
Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win Roxanne's giveaway, 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by. Feel free to load the comments with firework GIFs, too!
Giveaway winners will be drawn and announced on or about 07/20.
Books will be shipped in the US only.
About Roxanne Troup:
An award-winning picture book author, Roxanne Troup, writes heartfelt stories that celebrate wonder, belonging, and the magic of everyday moments. Author of My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me; Reaching for the Stars: A Mission to Space; and Happy Birthday, America! Roxanne’s books invite young readers to discover, grow, and connect. She lives in the mountains of Colorado and enjoys hiking with her family and exploring the quiet wonders of the natural world. Connect with her online at
For more about Roxanne, check out the following links:
To purchase a copy: Happy Birthday, America!: Troup, Roxanne, Doehring, Jennifer: 9780807531778: Amazon.com: Books
