This book by Laurie Keller is a favorite in our home. It is entertaining, colorful, and educational. It's fun to read repeatedly, as the story is engaging and the illustrations quirky. But the book also includes so many clever little details that it may actually take several reads to enjoy them all, making each read a little different.
The book begins with a disgruntled Kansas, planning a "get to know you" party for the 50 states. It journeys with the states as they trade places for a change of company and scenery. We see the states become irritable in their new locations and end with each back home in their familiar surroundings.
The story is delightful, but much of the joy is in watching the party planning, the mingling, the suitcase-packing and traveling across country, the unique experiences in unfamiliar territory, the traveling back across country and the comfortable feeling of being home. It's a delight.
This book has been on our most-read list for awhile and my children can often be heard quoting the text and silly dialogue, discussing which state is their favorite, expressing disappointment that we won't be visiting them all anytime soon, comparing the size and distance between our own state and the other 49, and arguing amicably over which state their half-eaten piece of toast most closely resembles.
The opportunity for learning through this book is abounding. Some topics and tidbits addressed are: local geography/landscape, climate, direction the sun rises/time zones, size and location of states, their well-known features or landmarks, major crops or industries, nicknames, capitals, and oddities like the silent "s" in Illinois or the fact that New Jersey is neither new nor wearing a jersey.
The refreshing thing about the educational aspect of the book is that the trivia to be learned is not presented as such but as seamless and hilarious parts of the story. Those of you looking to reinforce your child's knowledge of the states may enjoy book-related activities like a Scrambled States snack-Wisconsin cheese, Alabama peanuts, and California oranges, for example. Or copy and print out the states' id cards in the back of the book and use in a matching game. Whether you intend it or not, your child will learn something valuable from this book. Check it out!
Laurie Keller has authored and illustrated a number of other fun books, such as Arnie the Doughnut and Do Unto Otters. See her website for more information, activity suggestions, and general cuteness. For more quirky and educational fun, try The Scrambled States of America jigsaw puzzle and games.
Megan reads with her kids, making sure to do all the voices, in the state of Illinois. She blogs at PlumPudding.
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Thanks to make me know this book that looks really interesting for us to read. We are a traveller family so we love reading about a party for 50 states. We've just finished reading "Around the world in 80 days". I hope I can find it in italian, otherwise I surely buy online in english. Thanks again, you're really a big font of inspiration.
Kisses
Daniela