Fireworks - by Matthew Burgess (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

WINNER OF THE 2026 CALDECOTT MEDAL!

Fireworks is a sparkling picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, highlighting the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly anticipate a spectacular fireworks display.

Two siblings spend a sizzling Fourth of July roaming the city--there's breakfast in Chinatown, a burst hydrant on a steamy block, and a jazz musician in the park whose brassy blasts make everyone dance. All the while, anticipation builds for the night's grand display: FIREWORKS!

Fireworks is a joyful, sensory-rich picture book that captures the ordinary magic of a long summer day, the kind where screens are forgotten and every moment feels alive.

With neon-bright illustrations and poetry that pops off the page, Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien--the award-winning team behind The Bear and the Moon--deliver a sparkling double gatefold finale as spectacular as the real thing.

Review Quotes

★ "In this joyous seasonal idyll, the creators capture with onomatopoeic eloquence the day's sensations, with plenty of time to savor sounds, sights, and 'summer on our skin.'" - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ "This is an immersive tribute to the unique pleasures of an urban Fourth of July and a radiant celebration of all things summer." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "It's a joyful celebration of simply being alive and experiencing the world in the guileless way children do. Electric, affectionate, and enchanting." - Booklist (starred review)

★ "Brimming with rich sensory details, Burgess' poetic verses combine with Chien's marvelous mixed-media artwork to celebrate the exuberant, magical moments of summertime." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

★ "An immersive celebration of summer and siblinghood." - Horn Book (starred review)

★ "Imaginative and radiant. This joyful title will capture young readers and win the hearts of all ages." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"This is without a doubt my favorite firework-related summertime picture book ever. Beautiful, weirdly touching, and utterly original." - Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ blog)

"A wonderful book to read aloud." - BookPage