SAN DIEGO (May 26, 2026) – As families and classrooms prepare to mark America’s 250th anniversary, local author and North County mom María Felicia Kelley unveils July Four: 7/4, the fourth installment of her popular children’s book series Celebrate the HoliDates® .
Created for elementary-aged readers, the book follows a young boy as he explores the vibrant sights of summer and iconic Independence Day traditions, including patriotic fireworks, baseball games and the symbolic American eagle. The book is designed to help children connect the July Fourth holiday with calendar learning, seasonal awareness and a beginner-friendly introduction to American history. In addition to the story, the book includes an educational facts-and-features glossary and a seasonal recipe for s’mores pie.
Kelley initially created the Celebrate the HoliDates® series after her son, Constantine, routinely asked questions about his favorite holidays, dates and seasons. The books uniquely address this curiosity by blending storytelling with teaching about calendar knowledge, seasons, scheduling and traditions in a way that is accessible and enjoyable for children. Each book features Constantine’s own artwork, often as the design behind the page numbers.
“With America’s 250th birthday approaching, this felt like the perfect time to help children understand not just how we celebrate July Fourth, but also why we celebrate it,” said Kelley. “What began as a creative project for my son has grown into a learning tool for families and educators. My hope is that July Four: 7/4 gives kids a fun and accessible way to explore history and traditions while learning the calendar.”
Inspired by Constantine’s journey with Down syndrome, the series stands out for its mission: contributing a percentage of proceeds to nonprofits that empower and support youth living with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).
July Four: 7/4 is now available on Amazon, along with the other titles in the Celebrate the HoliDates® series. The book will be available on Barnes and Noble on June 4th.
About Celebrate the HoliDates
Celebrate the HoliDates® books explore the unique traditions practiced on those “holidates”—a term author María Kelley coined to refer to annual holidays with a specific calendar date. These memorable HoliDates add excitement to living. The books help weave in historical context to bring even more significance and fun to our celebrations. Shop and learn more at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at MariaFelicia.com.
About the Author
María Felicia Kelley discovered her passion for writing as a girl growing up in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Earning a degree in broadcast journalism from The Cronkite School at Arizona State University, María began her career in television as a writer and producer. She also has enjoyed time in front of the camera as a host and spokesperson.
The pandemic of 2020 moved María to focus her creative energy, bringing long-planned artistic works to life. As a tri-racial mix, including African, European, and Native American bloods, María taps into the traditions of many cultures. Through much of her writing, she explores the intricacies of her family’s racial heritage that is uniquely American. María is the founder and publisher of thenorthcountymoms.com and socalspotlight.biz—both are resource websites serving San Diego and Southern California, respectively. To learn more about María Felicia Kelley, visit her online at MariaFelicia.com.
