The 50 States: Explore The U.S.A. With 50 Fact-Filled Maps!

The 50 States: Explore The U.S.A. With 50 Fact-Filled Maps!

In 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps, explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming and the nation?s capital to discover more than 2,000 facts that celebrate the people, cities, nature, and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. You'll also get an expansive?uide to the state flags and US presidents. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe?bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky?The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues?be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty, and diversity of the United States in this curious collection of fact-filled maps. On each wonderful map, find:A welcome box with a short introduction to the stateKey facts, including the capital; state bird, flower, and tree; and statehood orderState icons celebrating the state?s people, places, and historySix inspiring people who have a connection to the stateRegion spotlight bubbles to allow you to discover more about one particular placeA moments to remember box with a list of significant dates and their events in the state?s historyEach state?s map also contains information about which states it neighbors, its bodies of water and borders, as well as where it is situated in the country. Did you know that while Hawaii shares its border with no one, both Missouri and Tennessee border eight other states? Many state parks, battlefields, national forests, and reservations are also included to inspire you to respect and explore the great outdoors. So pack your bags and say later ?gator?the great States await!Also available from the 50 States series:?he 50 States, 50 Cities of the U.S.A., The 50 States: Activity Book, The 50 States: Fun Facts, 50 Trailblazers of the 50 States, and I Spy the 50 States.From School Library JournalGr 2-5-A colorful introduction to the 50 states. Each spread details a different state and includes an oversize map and some information. Similar in format to Lynne Cheney's Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America (S. & S., 2006), Balkan's book is more neatly rendered (states are in alphabetical order). Facts are laid out on the map and in a separate column. This volume offers the usual content, such as statehood date and order, state flower, and state bird, as well as fun trivia (Pennsylvania is the home of the first banana split). In addition, Balkan provides interesting historical and geographical tidbits not usually found elsewhere and spotlights famous people from each state. Especially nice is the way the author features prominent women and minorities. For instance, the spread on Georgia highlights Yamacraw Indian chief Tomochichi, author Flannery O'Connor, and singer Little Richard. The illustrations are colorful and childlike. Though bright and appealing, the portraits lack detail. Other works, such as Mark H. Brockenhauer's Our Fifty States (National Geographic, 2004), examine the subject in more depth. Still, this is an above-average title on a popular topic, and state trivia enthusiasts will find it entertaining and useful. VERDICT The up-to-date material and the demand for offerings on the subject make this work a recommended purchase for public and school libraries.-Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GAReview"Readers will enjoy browsing this oversized and colorful atlas of the United States....will offer hours of browsing pleasure." - Literacy Daily (International Literacy Association)"Open the large formatted book and explore the United States. Each state (and the District of Columbia) is presented handsome, colorful, and highly informative maps to create a memorable journey." - Reading Rockets"For Those Who Pride Themselves on Knowing Their State's Flower/Bird/Motto. A large-format atlas of the U.S., The 50 States is chock-full of interesting facts, trivia and history." - Family Circle"Author Gabrielle Balkan's research and writing draws readers in with a fun mash-up of history,