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by Amanda Martin (Author), Zoya Malik (Illustrator)
Introducing a curious and courageous Spaniel who travels back in time to celebrate America's very first birthday and discovers that birthdays aren't just about gifts--they're about history, freedom, and adventure.
It's Henry's birthday--Hip, hip, hooray! But wait . . . what's this? The Fourth of July? When Henry wakes up to balloons, hugs, and a brand-new red doghouse, he thinks the celebration is all for him. But Grandma has a surprise--Henry shares his birthday with the United States of America! As fireworks sparkle, Henry's new doghouse reveals a magical secret. WHOOSH! Henry travels back in time to witness America's greatest moments--the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the triumph of the Revolutionary War, and the creation of the Constitution, where a brand-new country promised freedom and protection for its people. With each stop in history, Henry begins to understand that birthdays are about more than presents--they're about courage, growth, and remembering how far we've come. Back home under a sky bursting with red, white, and blue fireworks, Henry whispers, "Happy Birthday, America," knowing he's part of something much bigger than himself. Filled with adventure, warmth, and gentle lessons about freedom and gratitude, Henry the Star-Spangled Spaniel introduces young readers to America's founding story in a magical and accessible way, reminding them that growing up, like a great nation, takes bravery, heart, and hope.Author Biography
Amanda Martin is the founder and CEO of Studyville(R), a nationally recognized education company delivering high-quality tutoring that blends human-centered instruction with data-driven accountability. A magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas, Amanda launched Studyville after her experience as a mother inspired her to "Take the Homework Fight Out of the Home(R)." What began as a solution for her own family has grown into a company providing over 100,000 in-person tutoring sessions annually, with 99% of students demonstrating measurable academic growth.
Under her leadership, Studyville has pioneered innovations including microschools, StudyTrack(TM)--a FERPA-compliant platform providing transparent academic dashboards--and ReadingImpact(TM), a Science-of-Reading aligned literacy curriculum. She is also the creator of Henry the Star-Spangled Spaniel(TM), a patriotic literacy mascot whose time-travel adventures foster reading skills and civic understanding. Amanda serves on multiple education and business boards and is a committed philanthropist supporting the arts and education. Her work has earned national recognition, including honors from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Baton Rouge Business Report. Amanda believes literacy is the engine of America's future--and through Henry, she is helping inspire the next generation to learn, grow, and lead.
