January 15, 2021
PreS-Gr 2-These four books introduce young readers to the states of Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. Each volume contains maps and illustrations of state birds, mammals, and interesting sites. Arizona features illustrations of Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon; California depicts the redwood trees and the La Brea Tar Pits; Florida shows the Kennedy Space Center; and the Alamo is highlighted in Texas. Spreads spotlight foods that are enjoyed by the states' residents, including tacos, chili, sushi, chimichangas, and oranges. The narratives are straightforward, and information is provided in an engaging manner. The cheerful illustrations are enticing and display the diversity of each state's inhabitants. This series does not have many photographs. Students will have to turn to other sources for detailed report writing. However, curious readers should find these volumes to be intriguing introductions to U.S. geography. VERDICT More entertaining than the usual offerings about states, these titles should circulate well in elementary school and public libraries.-Margaret Nunes, formerly at Gwinnett County P.L., GA
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2021
Gilland's lively compositions, which have a retro-cartoon vibe, offer lots of eye-pleasing details on every page of these state profiles. The chatty texts provide basic facts: state capitals, nicknames, mottos, birds, mammals, flowers; regional foods, pastimes, and traditions; mentions of famous landmarks, both geographic (Grand Canyon, redwood forests) and man-made (giant squirrel statue, Kennedy Space Center). Notable populations (Cubans in Florida, Mexicans in Texas, Indigenous groups in Arizona) get their own spreads. Each book opens with an illustrated map of the US emphasizing the featured state. Brief, pleasant visits.
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)