Kidsmomo

This picture has nothing to do with anything. We just thought it was hilarious!

Tomorrow is America’s birthday, and what do we do on birthdays? Why, sing in celebration, of course!

But for this Fourth of July, we decided to stay away from the National Anthem. Instead, we’re celebrating independence of a different kind — the freedom to dig into any old book you want! Summer reading is all about your choice: No teachers with required reading lists. No class assignments. All you and no rules!

That’s certainly enough to inspire us to burst out into song! (Well, that and also all the sugary popsicles we’ve been eating to stay cool…)

So, without further ado, here’s our version of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” — dedicated to summer reading!

(PS – If you’re on the go — or maybe busy chowing down on hot dogs and apple pie — just download the audio.)

As you guys can tell, we spared you from Karen’s so-called “singing” this time around. Instead, we got a professional musician to lend us a hand — our friend Tom from the band Men and Whales. (He’s also a teacher when he’s not rocking out, and he looooooooooves Wimpy Kid!) A BIG thanks to Tom for helping us out!

— Happy 4th of July, from Karen and Nancy!

Tomorrow is July 4th, which is a pretty big deal in the United States (where Kidsmomo Headquarters is located). But since we have plenty of international readers out there (including from Canada, the U.K., China, Germany, Australia, and I believe even 1 visit from Algeria), I thought I’d highlight some cool things that have happened on July 4th all over the globe. It’s not just about the fireworks, barbecues, and apple pie.

Yum. Pie… Uh oh, I’m getting distracted.

Um, where was I? Oh, right. July 4th around the world! Here are some cool things that you may or may not have known about:

• 1865: In England, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is first published.
• 1886: The people of France offer the Statue of Liberty to the people of the United States. That’s right — Lady Liberty is French!
• 1894: The short-lived Republic of Hawaii is proclaimed by Sanford B. Dole. Good thing it was short-lived, otherwise the U.S. would be stuck with 49 states. And oh, how I despise odd numbers…
• 1997: Taking a trip outside of our atmosphere for a moment: NASA’s Pathfinder space probe lands on the surface of Mars.
• 2009, just last year: We are once again allowed to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty (otherwise known as Miss Frenchie French, now), which was closed in 2001 for security reasons.

Additionally, July 4th is also Filipino-American Friendship Day in the Philippines and Liberation Day in Rwanda, so I think plenty of people around the world will be celebrating on July 4th. They should look into getting some pie.

How will you be celebrating July 4th?

— Nancy

• 2010 (predicted): Nancy will eat an indescribable amount of pie and explode.

More about Nancy »