FIREWORKS

Words by Matthew Burgess * Pictures by Cátia Chien

Clarion/HarperCollins * May 13, 2025 * Order HERE

ISBN 9780063216723 * 44 pages

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.

 ★ “Burgess’ succinct, sensory-rich, onomatopoeia-laden text beats with an infectious rhythm, while Chien’s impressionistic mixed-media artwork sets the mood beautifully on each spread… A radiant celebration of all things summer.” –Kirkus (Starred Review)

★ “Writing in limpid prose and illustrating in sunny, softly stroked multimedia spreads, previous collaborators Burgess and Chien (The Bear and the Moon) follow two East Asian–cued children through a hot city Fourth of July… In this joyous seasonal idyll, the creators capture with onomatopoeic eloquence the day’s sensations, and establish the children’s day as free and expansive, with plenty of time to savor sounds, sights, and ‘summer on our skin.’” –Publishers Weekly (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)

★ “Burgess packs his poetic text with zesty sound effects and onomatopoeia that make this a must for reading aloud…From start to finish, Chien’s evocative, childlike mixed-media illustrations pop and soar, creating a series of memorable images… An immersive celebration of summer and siblinghood.” – The Horn Book

“But Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien? By the magic that imbues only the best of picture books, these two work exceedingly well together. Burgess brings the literary poetry. Chen, the level of creativity and sheer chutzpah a book like this one warrants. Together, they are unstoppable…When you read enough picture books you shouldn’t allow yourself to have favorites. Still, I state loud and clear for the record, that this is without a doubt my favorite firework-related summertime picture book ever. Beautiful, weirdly touching, and utterly original. “Swish Zing Tizzle-ting POOF!” –Betsy Bird, School Library Journal