Fifty Nifty United States

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!
Written by Gabrielle Balkan & Illustrated by Sol Linero
Age Level: 6-8 Years
Published October 1, 2015

Googling ‘luxury camper vans.’

The USA is massive. It is the fourth largest country in the world by area, the third largest by population, and walking from coast to coast would take about six months. The 50 colorful and creative maps in this book are a fabulous introduction to the unique character and geology of each state in our vast nation. Dedicating a full 2-page spread to each state, each map reads like an infographic highlighting the cultural landmarks, natural wonders, and remarkable individuals that make their state special.

“Soybeans are one of South Carolina’s top crops. One acre of beans can be used to make more than 82,000 crayons!”

My favorite thing about this book is how well it balances practical information with fun facts. You’ll learn that there is a 50,000-year-old meteor crater in Arizona where NASA astronauts trained for missions to the moon, that a group of volunteer elves respond to some 13,000 letters sent to Santa Claus, Indiana each Christmas, and that there’s an annual kite festival in Lincoln City, Oregon that attracts some of the largest kites in the world. Kids also learn basic info like where a state is located within the US, which states surround it, and a neat box of “Key Facts” lists the state capital, order of statehood, time zone, and whimsical details like the state bird / flower / motto. This is the kind of book that you can get lost in for a solid hour, which is one of my favorite ways to pass a hot summer day.