School Library Journal calls FIREWORKS by Matthew Burgess an “imaginative and radiant. . . joyful title [that] will capture young readers and win the hearts of all ages” in starred review

★BURGESS, Matthew. Fireworks. illus. by Cátia Chien. 44p. HarperCollins/Clarion. May 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063216723. PreS-Gr 1.

Imaginative and radiant, this title takes readers on a journey through a special hot summer day in the city, where the highlight is watching fireworks from the rooftop. Venturing out after breakfast, two children play in the water from a fire hydrant leak. There are several delightful stops afterward, including a walk to the bodega and through the park while gobbling up watermelon. The vocabulary evokes a strong sense of place with phrases like “steamy city sidewalks” and “in the thirsty afternoon.” The text makes it easy for readers to imagine being part of the story themselves: “Fireworks shimmer over the city before fading into ghosts, and in the air, the sharp charcoal sniff of a thousand matches extinguished.” Text and pictures work well together. For example, when it says, “as salsa music slips through wide-open windows, bouncing feet to the beat. Shooka-shooka Shooka-shooka Wa! Wa! Wa!” the illustration shows the children dancing. As they whoop it up, their arms fly up in the air. In the background, a fun design of pink, yellow, purple, green, and blue emphasizes that this is a high-energy, spontaneous celebration. Even after the fireworks are over, the children savor the beautiful experience of the day. 

VERDICT: This joyful title will capture young readers and win the hearts of all ages. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

–Robin Sofge